Ethical responsibility in Research
Core principles
- Consent: Participants must provide informed consent, meaning they understand the study's purpose, procedures, and potential risks.
- Deception can only be used if it is justified and does not cause harm.
- Right to Withdraw: participants should know they can leave the study at any time without penalty. This ensures autonomy and protects participants from feeling coerced.
- Protection from Harm: Researchers must minimize physical and psychological harm. This includes stress, anxiety, or discomfort.
- Confidentiality: Participants' data must be kept anonymous and secure. This protects privacy and encourages honest participation.
Note
All these core principles hinge on beneficence, nonmaleficence, autonomy, and justice.
Example
Milgram (1963) and its ethical debate
Aim: To investigate obedience to authority figures.
Method: Participants were instructed to administer electric shocks to a "learner" for incorrect answers.
Findings: 65% of participants administered the highest shock level.
Ethical Issues:
- Deception: Participants believed they were harming the learner.
- Protection from Harm: Many experienced stress and guilt.
- Right to Withdraw: Participants felt pressured to continue.
Ethical considerations and standards
Ethical considerations
- These are constantly evolving with society's standards and influence how researchers gather their data.
- This is important because researchers understand the data they gather influences the public's perception of behaviour.
- Integrity, respect, and justice are important concepts.
Ethical Standards
- Ensures the rights of stakeholders are protected.
- This is the observation and implementation of the core ethical principles mentioned at the beginning of this section.
- With issues such as deception, animal research, research on children, and research in public spaces, cost-benefit analyses are conducted.
Tip
When evaluating studies, consider how they align with APA guidelines. Discuss whether ethical principles were upheld or violated.
