Conducting Ethical Research

1
Conducting EthicalResearch

• Passer Chapter 3

• Slides Prepared by Alison L. OMalley

2
Codes of Research Ethics

• What is/are ethics?
• Ethical concerns permeate every aspect of the
  research process.
• Name and describe a historical event that
  influenced contemporary research ethics codes.

4
3
The Nuremberg Code (1947)

• Set of ethical principles essential for medical
  experiments to be permissible (also applies to
  behavioral research)
• Voluntary consent with freedom to withdraw at any
  time
• Information prior to giving consent about
  research purpose and potential risks
• Avoidance of unnecessary risk
• Results should be of sufficient value to outweigh
  risks to participants
• Qualified scientists must conduct the research

4
The Belmont Report (1979)

• Respect
• Beneficence
• Justice
• Concerns for these ethical principles govern
  participant selection, consent, and risk-benefit
  assessment.

4
5
APA Ethics Code (2010)

• Beneficence and nonmaleficence (huh?)
• Fidelity and responsibility
• Integrity
• Justice
• Respect
• How does each principle apply to the
• conduction of psychological science?

6
Institutional Review The IRB

• Who sits on your institutions IRB?
• How does your IRB assess the degree of risk to
  participants?
• Whats the difference between anonymity and
  confidentiality?

4
7
The IRB
Exempt
Expedited
Full Review
Describe each form of IRB review.
8
Types of Harm

• Considered in judging degree of risk to
  participants

• Physical harm (e.g., pain)
• Psychological harm (e.g., anxiety)
• Social harm and loss of privacy (e.g., sensitive
  information disclosed)
• Economic or legal harm (e.g., accident after
  research-induced sleep deprivation)

9
Excerpt of Sample Informed Consent

• I have been fully informed of the above-described
  procedure with its possible benefits and risks.
  I understand that I may view my responses at a
  later date and be fully de-briefed on them if I
  so desire. I also understand that my responses
  will be maintained in a confidential manner by
  the researcher. I voluntarily give permission
  for my participation in this study. I know that
  the investigator and her associates will be
  available to answer any questions I may have. I
  understand that I am free to withdraw this
  consent and discontinue participation in this
  project at any time without penalty. I am also
  aware that I will receive a copy of this Informed
  Consent form for my records at this time.
• Participant Signature ____________________________
  ____________

4
10
Informed Consent

• What other elements must be reflected in an
  informed consent?
• Is informed consent absolutely necessary?

4
11
Basic Elements of Informed Consent
1. Purpose and nature of research
2. Anticipated risks, discomforts, adverse effects
3. Anticipated benefits
4. Alternative procedures or treatments
5. Confidentiality and limits to confidentiality
6. Incentives and compensation
7. Contact information
8. Voluntary participation and freedom to discontinue participation
12
Informed Consent

• How does assent come into play when working with
  vulnerable populations?

4
13
Deception

• Passive deception Researchers withhold info that
  might influence participants decision to provide
  informed consent
• Active deception Researchers mislead
  participants about some aspect of a study
• If participants receive bogus negative feedback
  about their task performance, what sort of
  deception is this? Is it justifiable?

14
Deception

• How was deception employed in Milgrams (1963,
  1974) obedience studies?

Identify the confederate(s)
15
Debriefing
What are the elements of a thorough debriefing?
Thanks. Bye now.
16
Nonhuman Animal Research

• Why is psychological research conducted on
  animals?
• Animal Welfare Act regulates use of warm-blooded
  animals with exception of mice, rats, and birds

17
Institutional Review The IRB

• Who sits on your institutions IACUC?
• Ethical standards for animal research revolve
  around
• Reduction
• Refinement
• Replacement
• Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare

4
18
Tell Your Story with Integrity

• Represent yourself accurately
• Report results ethically
• Fabrication and falsification are FRAUD
• and what about questionable research practices
  (QRPs)?

Should data stay or go?
19
Tell Your Story with Integrity

• Does an idea belong to you, or did it originate
  with someone else?
• Did you know its possible to plagiarize
  yourself?
• Paraphrase and cite with care!

20

• When it comes to research ethics, there are many
  shades of grey
• Ask critical questions. Seek advice from trusted
  teachers and mentors. Youre not in this alone!