Ethics in Psychological Research

Connections with last day..... Psychologists strive for research which: Gathers empirical data and results Empirical – relying on or derived from experiment or observation Uses the scientific method The systematic process of obtaining empirical results to a hypothesis under controlled conditions Is free of bias Does not factor in any of the researchers tendencies, inclinations, or prejudices toward the subject in question

Sources of Bias Sources of bias include: Personal bias -- values, beliefs, morals Expectancy bias -- pre-existing knowledge, Bias could affect the way an experimenter designs a study, collects data, or interprets results Double blind studies attempt to control bias Neither the researcher nor the participants know which participants receive the treatment

Types of Psychological Research In experiments, the researcher controls all the conditions and directly manipulates them Non-experimental methods include: Correlations – relationship between two sets of observations (ex. students grades and # of hours of sleep) Surveys – many individuals asked a set of ?s Longitudinal studies – examine same group over time Cross-sectional studies – different ages at one time Cohort-sequential studies – different groups

Questions Science Cannot Answer The scientific method is not appropriate for answering questions that cannot be put to an objective, empirical test Ethics Morality Religious beliefs Preferences

Ethical Issues in Research Informed Consent Deception Debriefing Animal Research

Informed Consent Must obtain informed consent from participants Basically, participants must be informed of the purpose of the research, expected duration, and procedures they are agreeing to participate despite potential risks involved and that they can withdraw from the study at any time

Deception Psychologists must use deception only when: justified by the study's significant prospective scientific, educational, or applied value effective non-deceptive alternative procedures are not possible No research reasonably expected to cause physical pain or severe emotional distress may involve deception Psychologists must explain any deception within an experiment to participants as early as is feasible, and permit participants to withdraw their data.

Debriefing Psychologists must provide a prompt opportunity for participants to obtain information about the nature, results, and conclusions of the research, When psychologists become aware that research procedures have harmed a participant, they take reasonable steps to minimize the harm.

Use of Animals in Research Psychologists acquire, care for, use, and dispose of animals in compliance with current federal, state, and local laws and regulations, and with professional standards. Psychologists make reasonable efforts to minimize the discomfort, infection, illness, and pain of animal subjects. Psychologists use a procedure subjecting animals to pain, stress, or privation only when an alternative procedure is unavailable and the goal is justified by its prospective scientific, educational, or applied value. Psychologists perform surgical procedures under appropriate anaesthesia and follow techniques to avoid infection and minimize pain during and after surgery. When it is appropriate that an animal's life be terminated, psychologists proceed rapidly, with an effort to minimize pain and in accordance with accepted procedures.

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