1. Lesson 10: Ethical Issues

2. Whenever it is possible investigators should inform participants of the objectives of the investigation and get their consent to take part. Parental consent should be obtained for children under 16 as well as getting consent directly from children old enough to understand the study. Informed Consent

3. Misleading participants is unacceptable if they are likely to later object or show unease. Intentionally deceiving participants about the nature of the experiment should be avoided. However, in some cases deception is unavoidable. Deception

4. All relevant details of the study should be explained to the participants after the study. The debriefing is even more important if deception has been used, participants should leave the study in the same state they entered it. Debriefing

5. Investigators have a responsibility to protect their participants from physical and psychological harm during the study. Risk of harm should be no greater than in ordinary life. Protection From Harm

6. Participants must be made aware that they can leave a study at any time, regardless of whether a payment or inducement has been offered. Participants should also be aware that they can withdraw their data at any point in the future. Right to Withdraw

7. Participants data is confidential and should not be disclosed to anyone unless discussed in advance. Numbers or letters should be used instead of names when the research is published. Anonymity is when participants never provide their name to the researcher. Confidentiality

8. Covert observations must only be conducted in public places where people expect to be observed by strangers. Observational Research

9. During research investigators may obtain evidence of psychological or physical problems of which the participant is not aware. They have a responsibility to inform the participant. Giving Advice

10. Investigators share responsibility for the ethical treatment of participants. If a researcher thinks that a colleague may be conducting unethical research then they must tell them. Colleagues

11. BPS Code of Ethics Ethical principles  Respect  Competence  Responsibility  Integrity  Link Link Ethical principles  Respect  Competence  Responsibility  Integrity  Link Link