The Ethics of Research

1. The Ethics of Research “Animal research threatened by activism…” “Task force to revise human research rules…” “Repressed research shows nicotine is addictive…” “Keep up to date on ethical guidelines…”

2. APA Ethical Principles • Ethics Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct (Rev. 2002). • Principle 9: “Research with Human Participants? • Guidelines for Avoiding Sexism in Psychological Research • Guidelines for Ethical Conduct in the Care and use of Animals

3. Minimize Risk • “Minimal risk test” • Develop a risk/benefit ratio • Avoid physical injury • Avoid psychological and emotional injury • Protect anonymity, if possible • Assure confidentiality

4. Obligation of “Informed Consent” • Signed form: SAMPLE INFORMED CONSENT “I would like to participate in the research. I understand that I am free to withdraw at any time. I further understand that individual results will not be identified by name, and that all results will be confidential, except for the reporting of research on the basis of scores of groups of people. I understand that the research is about…….” Signed: ______________ Date: ______________

5. When Informed Consent is a Risk and What to do About it • Potential for demand characteristics • “Good subject” phenomenon • The use of deception • Commission • Omission • Obligation of debriefing • Alternatives to deception • Role playing, simulations, honest experiments • Stanford Prison Simulation Study

6. Other Issues • Avoid invasiveness—respect privacy • Department Review Boards and Institutional Review Boards