Ethical Issues in Conduct of Psychological Research

             Ethical Issues in Conduct of Psychological Research

Definition of Ethics

Ethics is a branch of Moral Psychology.

The word "ethics" is derived from the Greek word ethos (character), and from the Latin word mores (customs). Together, they combine to define how individuals choose to interact with one another. It refers to the correct rules of conduct necessary when carrying out research. Purpose of these codes of conduct is to protect research participants, the reputation of psychology and psychologists themselves.

                           
(1) Risk VS Benefits of psychological Research ethics:

Ethical conflict in psychological research is unavoidable. It has been also seen that being completely truthful with research participants can make it difficult or impossible to conduct scientifically valid studies on important questions. A subjective evaluation of the risks and benefits of a research project is used to determine whether the research should be conducted.

                                                                 Risks     

Concept:   probability and magnitude of some future occurrence of harm

·         Risk of physical threat or abuse (to researcher)

·         Risk of psychological trauma, as a result of actual or threatened violence or the nature of what is disclosed during the interaction;

·         Risk of being in a comprising situation, in which there might be accusations of improper behaviour;

·         Increased exposure to risks of everyday life and social interaction, such as road accidents and infectious illness; and 

·         Risk of causing psychological or physical harm to others

·         Risks to non-participants include the risk of distress for a participant’s family member identified with a serious genetic disorder, the possible effects of a biography on family or friends, or infectious disease risks to the community. Some social research may carry wider social or economic risks

·         Minimal risk: means that the harm or discomfort participants may experience in the research is not greater than what they might experience in their daily lives or during routine physical or psychological tests. Like stress.

Risks must be evaluated in terms ofgy potential participants' everyday activities, their physical and mental health, and capabilities.

                                                            Benefits

Concept:  Something of value related to welfare

·         Receiving a helpful treatment

·         Learning about psychology

·         Experiencing the satisfaction of contributing to scientific knowledge

·         Receiving money or course credit for participating

·         One of the benefits is the knowledge you will gain about how to conduct scientific research in psychology

                                       Rights of Test Taker

·         Purpose of Research

·         Purpose nature of Research

·         Kinds of Tests to be used

·         Freedom to Decline/Withdrawal

·         Participant should be treated with respect, dignity, courtesy

·         Irrespective of their age, Sex, personal Characteristics

                                               (2)    Privacy of Research

Privacy issues arise when data are collected and stored. The handling of digital personal data

is of major concern because of the processing possibilities and the potential to link vast amounts of personal data.

Confidentiality: The ethical duty of confidentiality refers to the obligation of an individual or organization to safeguard entrusted information. Considerations for confidentiality should be given to the following:

1.      Nature of the response.

2.      Possible punishment for the response.

3.      Possible punishment for participation.

4.      Perceived punishment for the participation.

5.      Fear of embarrassment

Security: Security refers to measures used to protect information. It includes physical, administrative and technical safeguards. Research items are not revealed.

Data protection: Use participant codes, first name (or even using an alias) to label data instead of using full names, and keeping a separate list of code-to-name match-ups.  it is especially important to protect the participant if the published data includes other identifiers such as age, gender, community affiliations, or place of residence. Test material should be kept locked.                                                   

                                                         (3) Informed Consent

Informed Consent is a voluntary agreement to participate in research. It is not merely a form that is signed but is a process, in which the subject has an understanding of the research and its risks.

·         Understandable language

·         Purpose of the research

·         Procedures involved in the research

·         Alternatives to participation

·         Knowledge of Results. Debriefing and Deception

·         All foreseeable risks and discomforts to the subject. (These include not only physical injury but also possible psychological, social, or economic harm, discomfort, or inconvenience)

·         Benefits of the research to society and possibly to the individual human subject

·         Length of time the subject is expected to participate

·         Person to contact for answers to questions or in the event of a research-related injury or emergency

·         Freedom of withdrawal (also informing them that they have the right to withdraw their results from the study at any time)

Additional informed consent elements (might be needed for certain projects)

·         Certificate of Confidentiality (if any)/limitations of certification protection

·         Payment for participation (if applicable)

·         Risks to vulnerable subjects, e.g., embryo, fetus, pregnancy

·         Circumstances for investigator “withdrawing” the subject

·         Early withdrawal consequences

·         Number of subjects participating

·         Probability of random assignment or placebo placement

                                           Divided Loyalties

Divided loyalty means Divided Expectations (Personal interest, Occupational responsibilities) a feeling of strong support for opposing groups, ideals, etc.

How do you maintain test security but also explain an adverse decision?

                                    Invasion of Privacy

 When tested people may feel their privacy is invaded.

The clinician is always ultimately responsible; this includes scoring and interpretation done by a computer

                                    Labeling

Once diagnosed, the disorder can be labeled. E.g. Psychiatric labels can be damaging.

When diagnosing use least stigmatizing label consistent with accurate representation.

Problem: A psych, Disease is perceived as medical

Ergo: Ill person can’t do anything about it

It is not true for Psychological disorder

A person can take responsibility to get better

                                    Dehumanization

Some forms of testing remove any human element from decision-making process.

Seen as becoming more prevalent with the increase in computer testing

Human are very complex, which allow us to be individuals, different from each other

But testing and interpretation Generalize

                                                  Research with Animals

Justification of Research: Before using animals, it is mandatory for researchers to clearly their scientific purpose.

Personnals and Researchers: Scientists should ensure that all individuals who use animals under their supervision receive explicit instruction in experimental methods and in the care, maintenance, and handling of the species being studied

Care and Housing animals: All procedures on animals are to be reviewed by a local animal care committee to ensure that the procedures are appropriate and humane.

Experimental Procedure: Humane consideration for the well-being of the animal should be incorporated into the design and conduct of all procedures involving animals. Surgical procedures require close supervision and attention to humane considerations by the scientist.

 Educational use of Non-Human Animals: Psychologists are encouraged to include instruction and discussion of the ethics and values of Nonhuman animal research in all relevant courses.

Field Research: Psychologists conducting field research should disturb their populations as little as possible, while acting consistent with the goals of the research.

Disposal of Died Animals: Disposal of euthanized laboratory animals must be conducted in accord with all relevant legislation, consistent with health, environmental, and aesthetic concerns.  No animal shall be discarded until its death is verified. And Died animals should be disposed properly.

Why we need to control the use of testing?

·         To ensure that test is only given to professional qualified examiner who can interpret the results

·         To prevent the general familiarity with the test content that invalidate test

Who can Control the Result?

·         Qualified examiner, who has professional training and experience.  Who can easily narrate the purpose of study conveniently, who knows the Characteristics and Purpose of test. He Knows setting and Condition of test (Knowledge and skills of particular situation). Who Has Technical Knowledge (Knowledge of Validity, Reliability, well balanced items)