The British Psychological Society (BPS) has issued a code of ethics in psychology that provides guidelines for the conduct of research. Some of the more important ethical issues are as follows:
Introduction
* The principles given below are intended to apply to research with human participants. Principles of conduct in professional practice are to be found in the Society’s Code of Conduct and in the advisory documents prepared by the Divisions, Sections and Special Groups of the Society.
* Participants in psychological research should have confidence in the investigators. Good psychological research is possible only if there is mutual respect and confidence between investigators and participants.
* The principles given below supplement for researchers with human participants the general ethical principles of members of the Society as stated in The British Psychological Society’s Code of Conduct.
* In recent years, there has been an increase in legal actions by members of the general public against professionals for alleged misconduct.
General
In all circumstances, investigators must consider the ethical implications and psychological consequences for the participants in their research. The essential principle is that the investigation should be considered from the standpoint of all participants; foreseeable threats to their psychological well-being, health, values or dignity should be eliminated.
Consent
* Whenever possible, the investigator should inform all participants of the objectives of the investigation.
* Research with children or with participants who have impairments that will limit research with human participants understanding and/or communication such that they are unable to give their real consent requires special safe-guarding procedures.
* Where possible, the real consent of children and of adults with impairments in understanding or communication should be obtained.
* Where real consent cannot be obtained from adults with impairments in understanding or communication.
* When research is being conducted with detained persons, particular care should be taken over informed consent, paying attention to the special circumstances which may affect the person’s ability to give free informed consent.
* Investigators should realize that they are often in a position of authority or influence over participants who may be their students, employees or clients.
* The payment of participants must not be used to induce them to risk harm beyond that which they risk without payment in their normal lifestyle.
* If harm, unusual discomfort, or other negative consequences for the individual’s future life might occur, the investigator must obtain the disinterested approval of independent advisors, inform the participants, and obtain informed, real consent from each of them.
* In longitudinal research, consent may need to be obtained on more than one occasion.
Deception
* The withholding of information or the misleading of participants is unacceptable if the participants are typically likely to object or show unease once debriefed.
* Intentional deception of the participants over the purpose and general nature of the investigation should be avoided whenever possible.
* The investigator has a special responsibility to
(a) Determine that alternative procedures avoiding concealment or deception are not available;
(b) Ensure that the participants are provided with sufficient information at the earliest stage; and
(c) Consult appropriately upon the way that the withholding of information or deliberate deception will be received.
Debriefing
* In studies where the participants are aware that they have taken part in an investigation, when the data have been collected, the investigator should provide the participants with any necessary information to complete their understanding of the nature of the research.
* Debriefing does not provide a justification for unethical aspects of any investigation.
* Some effects which may be produced by an experiment will not be negated by a verbal description following the research.
Withdrawal from the investigation
* At the onset of the investigation investigators should make plain to participants their right to withdraw from the research at any time, irrespective of whether or not payment or other inducement has been offered.
* In the light of experience of the investigation, or as a result of debriefing, the participant has the right to withdraw retrospectively any consent given, and to require that their own data, including recordings, be destroyed.
Confidentiality
Subject to the requirements of legislation, including the Data Protection Act, information obtained about a participant during an investigation is confidential unless otherwise agreed in advance. Investigators who are put under pressure to disclose confidential information should draw this point to the attention of those exerting such pressure.
Protection of participants
* Investigators have a primary responsibility to protect participants from physical and mental harm during the investigation. Normally, the risk of harm must be no greater than in ordinary life, i.e. participants should not be exposed to risks greater than or additional to those encountered in their normal lifestyles.
* Participants should be informed of procedures for contacting the investigator within a reasonable time period following participation should stress, potential harm, or related questions or concern arise despite the precautions required by the Principles.
* Where research may involve behavior or experiences that participants may regard as personal and private the participants must be protected from stress by all appropriate measures, including the assurance that answers to personal questions need not be given
* In research involving children, great caution should be exercised when discussing the results with parents, teachers or others acting in loco parentis, since evaluative statements may carry unintended weight.
Observational research
Studies based upon observation must respect the privacy and psychological well-being of the individuals studied. Unless those observed give their consent to being observed, observational research is only acceptable in situations where those observed would expect to be observed by strangers.
Giving advice
* During research, an investigator may obtain evidence of psychological or physical problems of which a participant is, apparently, unaware.
* If, in the normal course of psychological research, a participant solicits advice concerning educational, personality, behavioral or health issues, caution should be exercised.
* In some kinds of investigation the giving of advice is appropriate if this forms an intrinsic part of the research and has been agreed in advance.
Colleagues
Investigators share responsibility for the ethical treatment of research participants with their collaborators, assistants, students and employees. A psychologist who believes that another psychologist or investigator may be conducting research that is not in accordance with the principles above should encourage that investigator to re-evaluate the research.
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