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Slides to accompany Weathington, Cunningham & Pittenger (2010), Chapter 2: Ethics and Research

Slides to accompany Weathington, Cunningham & Pittenger (2010), Chapter 2: Ethics and Research. 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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Slides to accompany Weathington, Cunningham & Pittenger (2010), Chapter 2: Ethics and Research

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  1. Slides to accompany Weathington, Cunningham & Pittenger (2010), Chapter 2: Ethics and Research

  2. Objectives • Ethics? • Approaches to ethical analysis • Making Ethical Decisions • The Ethical Code of the American Psychological Association • The Institutional Review Board • Special situations

  3. 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 • Impartiality

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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?

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. 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

  10. 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

  11. The APA Code of Ethics (cont’d) Five general principles of the APA code: • Beneficence and non-malfeasance • Constantly weigh costs & benefits; produce greatest good • Fidelity and responsibility • Constantly aware of responsibility to society • Integrity • Scrupulously honest • Justice • Fair treatment • Respect for people’s rights and dignity • Safeguard welfare, protect rights

  12. 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

  13. 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)

  14. 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

  15. 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

  16. 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

  17. Ethical Dilemmas in Research • For in-class discussions: • Conformity among participants • Eavesdropping for unobtrusive observation • Requiring student participation • Asking questions about sexual behaviors

  18. What’s Next • *Instructor to complete as a heads-up to the students

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