ResearchEthics

ETHICS OF PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH

Basic principle

Do no harm

Or at least minimize negative effects on people

Do no harm that isn’t necessary (fire someone)

Dilemma

Conflict between ethics and other issues

Is it ethical to do research on humans that will cure serious illness?

Clone human for fetal tissue (Parkinson’s, spinal cord damage)?

Mix human DNA with animal fetus to cure disease?

Is it ethical to do research on animals that will cure serious illness?

Does the type of animal matter? Chimp vs. rat

What about seriousness of illness?

Is it ok to do things for life threatening illness that would not be ok for cosmetic reasons?

What if person is disfigured?

What if person is disabled? Does extent of disability matter? (Asthma vs. quadriplegic)

Is it unethical to fail to do research that might reduce suffering?
Procedures
When must we have signed informed consent?

There is potential for harm, physical or psychological.

Is it acceptable to use deception?

Yes, if it is necessary for the research, but any harm/risks must be revealed before participation.

E.g., We did a study in which people were told they would be shocked, but they never were.

Is unobtrusive observation acceptable?

Yes, if people are not identified, setting is public (no expectation of privacy), no potential for harm.

Must identity be concealed?

Depends upon agreement with participant. Must be clarified in advance.

Must agreements be kept?

In general yes. Promise of confidentiality must be kept, unless there is potential harm to others (e.g., person threatens violence).

Do subjects have access to findings?

Subjects should be allowed access to the results of the research, but this doesn’t mean raw data or individual scores.