ETHICAL TREATMENT OF HUMAN SUBJECTS All research projects must be approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) Federal law APA (American Psychological Association) ethical standards
The Belmont Principles Respect Beneficence Justice
Risk Identify and minimize potential risks Minimal Risk Ratio of risk to benefits
Informed Consent People should not be forced or coerced to take part and must be told enough about the research procedures to make an informed decision (including any risks) Includes freedom to withdraw
When is Consent Not Needed? Must meet all of these criteria: – No more than minimal risk. – Not having informed consent would not adversely affect rights and welfare of the subjects. – Appropriate debriefing when appropriate. – Cannot otherwise do the research.
Use of Deception Last resort – necessary for research Research must be important enough to justify the deception Must explain deception in debriefing
Debriefing Provide further information Explain any deception Provide opportunity for feedback, questions
ETHICAL TREATMENT OF NON- HUMANS Justify need for research Properly trained personnel Adequate care and housing Obtain animals legally Use humane procedures Minimize harm, pain
ETHICAL ISSUES IN THE TREATMENT OF DATA fabrication of data cooking and trimming undue credit for authorship plagiarism unavailable data failure to report errors