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Research Methods: Overheads
Methods of Psychology
A Taxonomy of Research Strategies
Statistical Methods in Psychology
Minimizing Bias in Psychological Research
Ethical Issues in Psychological Research
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University of Alberta Standards for the Protection of
Human Research Participants
Ethical Issues
Why do we need ethical procedures?
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Safety and protection of the participant
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Safety and protection of the researcher
University of Alberta Standards:
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Six guidelines extracted from various ethics bodies
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"In keeping with the University
of Alberta motto, University of Alberta researchers are encouraged to search
for and disseminate "whatsoever things are true." The purpose of the ethical
standards ... is not to limit, inhibit, or control any research activities,
but to promote and facilitate the conduct of all research in ways that
protect human participants from harm."
Guideline 1: Risk/Benefit
"If research procedures, material or equipment,
or the dissemination of results could potentially produce physical or mental
harm for the participant, the investigator must assess the magnitude and
present justification for it to an appropriate Ethics Review Committee
(ERC). Before approving the research, the committee must be satisfied that
there is a reasonable expectation that the results will significantly increase
understanding or will benefit human health/welfare. As the magnitude of
the potential risk increases, it becomes increasingly important that benefits
outweigh those risks."
Dept. of Psychology Interpretation
Significant physical or psychological harm is not permitted.
Safeguards must be used to prevent or minimize minimal
physical or psychological harm.
Fully informed consent is required.
Guideline 2: Informed and
Voluntary Consent
"Where possible, participants or their surrogates
must give fully informed and voluntary consent to participation."
Dept. of Psychology Interpretation
Fully informed consent (where possible)
Freely given consent
Right to withdraw consent at any time
Guideline 3: Anonymity/Confidentiality
"Where possible, participants must be guaranteed
anonymity and their responses treated with confidentiality. Where exceptions
must be made, participants must be informed about the degree of anonymity
and confidentiality prior to being asked for consent, and such guarantees
must be respected."
Dept. of Psychology Interpretation
In general, anonymity and confidentiality should be
guaranteed.
If not, participants must be informed and consent to
this violation.
Identifiable information should be stored with restricted
access.
Guideline 4: Researcher
Competence
"Researchers must be competent in their area of
inquiry, and they must be familiar with appropriate ethical guidelines
and with participant risks and the possible uses to which the results may
be put in order to make responsible decisions. The responsibility includes
the awareness of and efforts to avoid discrimination and biases in research
practices and in the interpretation of findings (for example, biases related
to race and gender). When in doubt about the application of these guidelines,
the investigator is encouraged to consult with informed colleagues and
supervisors."
Dept. of Psychology Interpretation
All research applications must be approved by a supervising
faculty member.
Guideline 5: Experimenter
Competence
"The investigator must ensure that all individuals
under the investigator's supervision have the training and competence needed
to carry out their responsibilities. Principal investigators must ensure
that all research personnel are familiar with the University Standards
for the Protection of Human Research Participants and with applicable professional
guidelines."
Dept. of Psychology Interpretation
All personnel must be familiar with ethical standards.
Researchers must be trained in procedures.
Researchers must be prepared to safeguard against physical
and psychological harm.
Guideline 6: Participant
Rights
"Participants have the following rights:
to consent to participate without coercion;
to be fully informed about the project, except in special
circumstances noted earlier under "Concealment";
to be provided with opportunity to assess risk, including
individual risks and individual and societal benefits;
to withdraw from the research without penalty or risk
of any kind (including loss of agreed-upon monetary reimbursement or other
incentives);
to be fully informed of the degree of anonymity;
to be fully informed during post-briefing when concealment
has been used."
Dept. of Psychology
Interpretation
Letter or oral description of the research, including
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Statement of goal
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Procedure
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Data collection
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Data analysis
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Dissemination of results
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Ability to withdraw at any time without penalty
Written or oral debriefing, including
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Elaboration of goal (with rationale for any concealment)
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Contact for more information and summary of results
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Contact for concerns regarding treatment as a participant
Evaluating Ethics
Professor Snoop is interested in infidelity in relationships.
He wants to interview couples as to whether they have cheated on their
partner.
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Risk/Benefit?
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Informed and voluntary consent?
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Anonymity/Confidentiality?
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Researcher competence?
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Experimenter competence?
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Participant rights?
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