Slides to accompany Weathington, Cunningham & Pittenger (2010),

Chapter 2: Ethics and Research

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Objectives

• Ethics?

• Approaches to ethical analysis

• Making Ethical Decisions

• The Ethical Code of the American Psychological Association

• The Institutional Review Board

• Special situations

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Ethics?

• Study and application of moral standards

• Basic moral principles involve:

– Focus on the well-being of others

– Transcending self-interest and personal goals

– Universal truths, constants

– Impartiality3

Ethical Code• Code of conduct

– Accepted rules and regulations

– Psychologists follow APA’s code, but most fields of science have a similar code

• Personal and organizational codes may conflict

– You should strive to focus on the moral principles

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Utilitarianism

• Ethical behavior if positive outcomes > negative ones

– Ends justify the means

• For psychologists and social science researchers:

– Results should benefit others (more than the study process will harm subjects)

– Best possible methods are being used for data collection

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Utilitarianism• Advantages

– Rationale for temporary discomfort in research

– Common sense view on morality of research

• Disadvantages

– What are the true impacts of a study?

– What is the cost of discomfort to participants?

– What are true benefits?6

Principle of Rights

• Emphasizes universal privilege

• Highlights the ethicalness of intentions

• Categorical imperative: never treat humanity as a means, but also as an end

• Basis for APA ethics – ensuring basic rights

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Principle of Rights

• Advantages

– Research procedures must respect dignity of participants

– All people are to be treated as equal

• Disadvantages

– Conflicting rights of individuals

– Perhaps too absolutist

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APA Ethics

• Need for a code by late 1940s:

– Following WWII, U.S. nuclear experiments, Tuskegee Institute experiments, others…

• APA’s ethical standards (1970s)

– Eventually linked with creation of IRBs through the National Research Act (1974)

– Current revision

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Developing the APA Code of Ethics• First code 1953

– Hobbs committee

– Critical incidents procedure

– Most recent revision (2002)

• 2002 revision includes 10 general categories of ethical issues

– 5 general principles + 89 specific standards

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The APA Code of Ethics (cont’d)Five general principles of the APA code:

1)Beneficence and non-malfeasance

– Constantly weigh costs & benefits; produce greatest good

2)Fidelity and responsibility

– Constantly aware of responsibility to society

3)Integrity

– Scrupulously honest

4)Justice

– Fair treatment

5)Respect for people’s rights and dignity

– Safeguard welfare, protect rights11

Seeking IRB Approval

• Complexity of process depends on complexity and risks of the study

• ALL research with humans (and animals) must:

– use valid methods

– follow legal/ethical standards

– be IRB approved

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Seeking IRB Approval

• Project must meet responsibility and qualification criteria

– Responsible for welfare/dignity of participants

– Qualified to do the research (students with supervision OK)

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Seeking IRB Approval

• With humans, voluntary implied consent required

• Consent forms must:

– Be descriptive and clear

– Explain confidentiality/anonymity procedures

– Provide participants with stated rights and protections inherent in the study

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Special Issues• Young participants

– If under 18*, or disabled the guardian must give consent

• Video/audio recording

– Need consent and confidentiality promises

• Deception

– By omission or commission requires debriefing + special conditions

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Debriefing

• Telling participants about the study

• Helps them understand the importance of their involvement in research

• Required if deception is used

• Often left out, but very important

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Ethical Dilemmas in Research

• For in-class discussions:

– Conformity among participants

– Eavesdropping for unobtrusive observation

– Requiring student participation

– Asking questions about sexual behaviors

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What’s Next

• *Instructor to complete as a heads-up to the students

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