Research Ethics Ethics  A system of morals and beliefs about what is right and wrong that is held in common by a group of people

Research Ethics The ethical principles of the American Psychological Association  Ethics pre-World War II

The Ethical Dilemma The scientific obligation  The obligation to do research in the best way we know how  Not doing research as an ethical violation The humanistic obligation  The obligation to consider our research participants The ethical dilemma  These two obligations are frequently at odds with one another The General Ethical Question:  Is there a negative effect upon the dignity and welfare of the participants that the importance of the research does not warrant?

Categories of Ethical Issues Physical and mental harm  What do we mean by “mental harm”  Subtleties of mental harm The importance of informed consent  Ways to disguise research  Incomplete disclosure  Deception  Informed consent with children

Categories of ethical issues Observing hidden behaviors  Covert and overt research  Invasion of privacy  Loss of anonymity and confidentiality

Categories of ethical issues Deception  The importance of debriefing  Guidelines to debriefing Coercion  Determining what is coercive

The role of the research participant The traditional view The humanistic view  Advantages  Disadvantages