Ethics (OCR A-Level Psychology): Revision Notes

7.2.11 Ethics

Ethical Issues

Ethical issues arise when a conflict exists between the rights of the participants and the goals of research to produce valid, authentic, and worthwhile data.

The BPS (British Psychological Society) Code of Conduct – includes a set of ethical guidelines which researchers have to observe. Guidelines are often implemented by ethics committees in research institutions, which use a cost-benefit approach to determine whether research proposals are ethically acceptable.

Ethical Issue

Ways of dealing with them

Informed Consent involves making participants aware of the aims of the research, the procedures, their rights (including the right to withdraw) and also what their data will be used for. Participants should then make an informed decision. Deception – deliberately withholding or misleading information from participants. Protection from harm Participants should not be placed at any more risk than they experience daily. Should be protected from physical and psychological harm. Should not feel embarrassed, under stress. Privacy and Confidentiality – Participants have the right to control their information and privacy. Confidentiality refers to our right to have any personal data protected.

Dealing with informed consent – participants should be issued with a consent letter detailing all relevant information that could affect their decision to partake. Assuming they agree, they sign it. Dealing with deception and protection from harm: debriefing – participants should be given a full debrief and be made aware of the true aims of the study and told what their data will be used for. Must be given the right to withhold data if they wish. If they have been subject to psychological harm, they should be provided with counselling. Dealing with confidentiality – personal details must be protected or maintained anonymity. Use numbers or initials when referring to participants. It is standard practice that during briefing debriefing, participants are to be reminded that their data will be protected throughout the process.