Research Methods: Ethical issues

Ethical Issues

• Ethical guidelines are formal principles for what is considered acceptable and unacceptable.
• Must be followed in every study
• Produced in the UK by the British Psychological Society.

They are important because:

1) Psychological research should aim to improve the quality of life for people.

2) Professional psychologists are expected to work in an ethical manner.

Ethical Guidelines:

1) Informed Consent

• BPS guidelines say ppts should always give informed consent.
• Informed consent can be gained by using a consent form which should include:
• Objectives of the study
• Details of what ppts would have to do
• The length of time required
• Opportunity for ppts to ask questions
• Right to withdraw their data and themselves at any point during the investigation
• Their data will remain confidential

• The consent form should only be signed when ppt has read and understood what is required.
• If the sample involves ppts who are children or with learning difficulties the experimenter has to ensure they have fully understood the requirements.
• If the ppts is under 16 years old and they cannot give consent, it must be gained from a parent.
• Naturalistic observations - consent is not obtained. The research…