Lecture 7: Even more on ethics

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Lecture 7 Even more on ethics

• APA Code of Ethics
• Cases

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How do the CPA and APA Ethics codes differ?

• CPA code has four levels of decision-making that
  are hierarchical
• CPA outlines principles APA code more specific
• APA code covers Standards in addition to ethics
• New developments require constant revision to APA
  code. CPA code more adaptive to change because
  principles can be applied
• Which code do you think is more enforceable?

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Case 1 Introductory Participant Pool

• In 1980, University of Yuck had a participant
  pool in introductory psychology
• The rules were as followed
• 10 of a students grade in intro psych came from
  participating in 10 hours of research (1 pt/hr)
• Students who did not show up for studies had an
  extra penalty hour assigned to them
• When studies were posted, all identifying
  information was posted and names were public
• What ethical problems do you see? What changes
  do you suggest?
• How does the participant pool operate at Acadia?

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Case 2 Sad Sack

• A student wants to study stress in
  undergraduates. They want to use a depression
  measure. What ethical issues arise in this?
• Should you be able to identify participants?
• i.e., should code numbers be traceable to
  specific people?
• What needs to go in the consent form?
• What needs to go in the debriefing form?
• What responsibilities do you have as a researcher?

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Case 3 Drug Trials

• You are conducting a double-blind drug trial to
  see if an anti-anxiety medication is effective.
• What goes in your consent form? What do you tell
  participants about the drug they are taking?
• After the study, do you have any responsibility
  to participants in the control group?
• How do you warn of risks (side effects)
  associated with the medication?

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Case 4 Student authorship

• A student spends 10 years completing a PhD
  because of illness and lack of motivation
• Although it took a long time to complete, the
  data is scientifically useful, and the
  supervisor/ professor wants to see them published
• The student moves to California and drives a taxi
• What does the professor do?