Psyc 304 Unit 4: Ethical Issues in Psychological Research

What are the views regarding the role of participants in psychological research?

According to the traditional view, the participant contributes behavior to the experiment in much the same way that a participant in a medical experiment might contribute a urine specimen. The very term subject is believed by some to imply that the participant is made an object of study and, necessarily, is dehumanized. Another view of the research participant is popular with feminist and humanistic psychologists, who hold that the participant is a colleague who cooperates in providing the data. In some examples of this process, the partici- pants take a role in designing the experiment and may have a degree of control over the conditions in which they are tested. Similarly, some psychologists have argued in the Marxist tradition that the participant should be considered part owner of the data by virtue of having helped to create them.

Briefly compare the codes of ethics of the Canadian Psychological Association and the American Psychological Association.

Before the mid-1980s, the (CPA) used the APA code of ethics. In 1986, the CPA had established and adopted its own guidelines as set forth in A Canadian Code of Ethics for Psychologists. The Canadian code recognizes that several principles that are in conflict with one another often operate together in research. In such circumstances, higher-order principles are required to resolve an ethical dilemma. Based on a detailed study of the principles used by Canadian psychologists to resolve ethical dilemmas, the following hierarchy of broader ethical principles was established

What functions are served by debriefing?

Debriefing is an extremely important part of the experiment. Participants must be told the purpose and expected results of the experiment so that their experience has as much educational and personal value for them as possible.

APA ethical guidelines

Ethical Principles in the Conduct of Research with Human Participants. These principles include: 1) the researcher's personal responsibility for making a careful assessment of the ethical acceptability of the research, taking into consideration scientific and humane values 2) a shared responsibility among all research team members 3) informed consent 4) use of deception only when justified 5( freedom to withdraw from participation 6) a clear and fair agreement between researcher and participants as to the responsibilities of each 7) protection from physical or mental stress 8) ensuring a positive experience (e.g., clarification of purpose of study at the end of study) 9) removal of any harmful consequences 10) confidentiality of information about participants

Of the 9 APA categories at least three are of interest to psychology. These are:

Expedited Category 5 involves data collected for solely nonresearch purposes (e.g., demographic data that were collected as part of an incarceration procedure), whereas Category 6 concerns the collection of data from recordings made for research purposes. Category 7 entitles research employing surveys and a wide range of other low-risk research activities to an expedited review

How are animals protected against inhumane treatment as research subjects in accordance with ethical guidelines for psychologists?

In general, acceptable practice in animal experimentation consists of ensuring that the scientific benefit of the study warrants whatever discomfort is caused and that the animals are kept in comfortable and sanitary conditions. All institutions that conduct animal research must have an animal care committee that oversees the operation of the animal facility. Such a committee is required for nearly all institutions that receive federal research grants. The Institute of Laboratory Animal Resources Commission on Life Sciences National Research Council has prepared a publication, Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (1996), which summarizes guidelines for animal research. This document lists standards for food, sanitation, and health, including size of cage and recommended institutional policies on veterinary care and personnel. In addition, the document has a valuable bibliography on animal care and lists federal laws that relate to animal experimentation.

Discuss the balance between potential benefit of a research project and its potential costs to research participants.

It is not possible to resolve this conflict in terms of moral absolutes or by a set of prescriptions that will cover all cases. The conflict is faced continually by researchers who must consider themselves responsible for deciding to conduct their research. Researchers who do not review ethical problems care- fully are negligent toward society. From another viewpoint, a researcher who refrains from doing an important study because of an excessively tender con- science is also failing to keep a commitment to the same society that supports behavioral research with the hope that it will provide important social benefits.

Why is deception necessary in some research? Under what circumstances is deception acceptable in research?

Many experiments require participants to be naive about the hypothesis or the true meaning of an experiment. The APA requires that people who have been deceived be given a sufficient explanation as soon as possible. It should be concluded that deception should only be allowed to occur during research of significant scientific or social value, and even this is only acceptable if the risk of harm to patients is extremely low.

freedom to withdraw

Participants should be able to leave a study at any time if they feel uncomfortable. They should also be allowed to withdraw their data. They should be told at the start of the study that they have the right to withdraw.

CPA code of ethics

Principle 1: Respect for the Dignity of Persons In essence, each person should be treated as a person, not as an object. This broad principle is reflected in such principles as general respect, general rights, non-discrimination, fair treatment/due process, informed consent, freedom of consent, protection for vulnerable persons, right to privacy, and confidentiality. Principle 2: Responsible Caring An ethical psychologist has the obligation to respect the welfare of any individuals with whom the psychologist has a professional relationship, and, in particular, those in a more vulnerable position (e.g., research participants, students, and children). This principle is reflected in general caring, an appreciation of one's competence and limitations, and attempts to maximize benefit, minimize harm, and offset/correct harm for research participants. This principle generally should be given the second highest weight. Principle 3: Integrity in Relationships This principle calls for honesty and forthrightness in all relationships with research participants, and is generally given the third highest weight. Principle 4: Responsibility to Society Psychologists are morally obliged to consider their responsibilities to the broader society. This principle, however, should generally be given the lowest weight of the four principles when it is in conflict with one or more of them. This principle suggests that an ethical psychologist must contribute to the development of knowledge and the general welfare of society, and have respect for society.

principles for animal research

The American Psychological Association (2012), and in Canada, the Canadian Council on Animal Care (1993), have provided ethical guidelines for the treatment of research animals. Standards are set for laboratory animal facilities, laboratory animal care, experimental animal surgical procedure, the use of anesthesia, and euthanasia.

How might these ethical guidelines affect the validity of research?

To eliminate or restrict use of animals in research would mean little or no progress against AIDS, Alzheimer's, cancer, arthritis, birth defects, traumatic injury, mental illness, and many other diseases and conditions that cause pain and suffering to millions of people each year.

What is the researcher's responsibility with respect to the research participant's right to privacy?

The idea of freedom from coercion is part of the larger question of civil rights and the right to privacy in particular. It is agreed that people have the right not to be disturbed, as well as the right not to reveal certain infor- mation about themselves. The experimenter must remember at all times that the participant is doing a favor by taking part. The freedom to refuse to participate or to withdraw at any time without penalty should be made clear to the participant at the beginning of the research if it has not already been explained during the recruitment of participants. People who participate in psychological studies have the right to expect that their data will never be made public in a way that would per- mit their identification, unless they agree to such publication.

What is informed consent? What is the importance of informed consent in the ethical use of research participants in experimentation?

This is to ensure that the participant is taking part voluntarily and is aware of what is about to happen. Participants must be given all the information necessary about factors that might affect their willingness to participate, such as risks or adverse effects. Some participants in a psychological experiment could be legally incapable of giving informed consent, because of age or other considerations. In those cases, researchers must still explain the situation and consider the person's best interest.

research ethics board

When confronted with an ethical dilemma, the researcher is encouraged and expected to consult with colleagues and advisory bodies. Such advisory bodies may include institutional research ethics boards and the CPA's Committee on Ethics. The decision for action, however, remains with the individual psychologist concerned. Every university where research involving human and animal subjects is conducted has set up a research ethics board to guide researchers in resolving ethical dilemmas and to monitor research activities. Agencies that award funds for research typically require researchers to have their research proposals reviewed by a research ethics board.

right to privacy

an individual's right to be free from intrusion or interference by others. Individuals have privacy interests in relation to their bodies, personal information, expressed thoughts and opinions, personal communications with others, and spaces they occupy. Research affects these various domains of privacy in different ways, depending on its objectives and methods. An important aspect of privacy is the right to control information about oneself. The concept of consent is related to the right to privacy. Privacy is respected if an individual has an opportunity to exercise control over personal information by consenting to, or withholding consent for, the collection, use and/or disclosure of information

confidentiality

assurance that identifying information will not be made available to anyone who is not directly involved in the study without permission

informed consent

legally given permission to participate in a study

deception

many experiments require participants to be naive about the hypothesis. Deception covers a wide range of actions by experimenters. Relatively innocuous deceptions routinely involve setting up false expec- tations of the processes under investigation. More serious deceptions include giving subjects false information about their performance on a task.

voluntary participation

requires that people not be coerced into participating in research.

protection from harm

researchers must not put participants in a situation where they might be at risk of harm as a result of their participation. Harm can be defined as both physical and psychological.

anonymity

the participant will remain anonymous throughout the study

debriefing

the process of informing participants after the session of the experiment's true purpose to increase their understanding and to remove possible harmful effects of deception