1. Ethical issues in Research
Issues and Debates
Ethical issues in Research

2. Starter task
Explain/define the word you have been given o the class (in terms of ethics)
Example of research where the right to withdraw was unclear/not present
Example of deception being used
Example of an issue with informed consent
Example of protection of participants violation

3. What is the purpose of having a code of ethics?

4. BPS Code of Ethics There are four main principles.
Using the BPS document
In pairs 3 minutes:
Person 1: briefly define Respect and Competence
Person 2: briefly define responsibility and integrity
Discuss these principles and make notes. Ensure you have a definition for each principle.
Try to link ethical guidelines to each principle. I.e. where do you think right to withdraw would go in column two of this table?
Complete the second row of this table. Use the BPS document to check your work.
BPS Code of Ethics
There are four main principles.
Definition – from the BPS code of ethics
What does the researcher have to do in order to meet this principle – refer to ethical guidelines
Respect
Competence
Responsibility
Integrity

5. Ethical issues across all four Year 1 topics
Social
Cognitive
Biological
Learning
Four sheets of A3 paper
Each pair/three will have 2-3 minutes to discuss and write down an ethical issue and a counter argument on two separate post it notes.
The paper is divided up into 2 sections: Unethical and ethical
What to include:
Classic study (name of researcher)
Contemporary study (name of researcher)
Any other research that is relevant
Methodology from each topic (I.e. Cognitive - why can lab experiments be unethical?)
When you are passed a new topic ensure you are using a variety of research (I.e. don’t just write about Milgram in social)
Example for Social:
Unethical
Ethical

6. Photo time!
Take a photo of each A3 piece of paper to help you complete your notes

7. Thinking time – individual task
If you had to choose one piece of evidence to argue the breach of each principle which one would you choose? Why?

8. Pairs:
Group 1 - Choose the most appropriate piece of research /argument for the following principles: Respect and Competence
Group 2 – Choose the most appropriate piece of research/argument for the following principles: Integrity and Responsibility
You can use the same piece of research more than once but try and incorporate all four topics
You can use the spare post it notes to add evidence if necessary
As a class choices and once you have agreed - take a photo!

9. H/W Learning space: Booklet 1 – Issues and debates themes
Under Ethical issues – write up notes for each topic.
Taking psychology further: Read the articles on the learning space. Very good example of articles that use critical evaluation of ethics throughout