Slides to accompany Weathington,
Cunningham & Pittenger (2010),
Chapter 2: Ethics and Research
1
Objectives
• Ethics?
• Approaches to ethical analysis
• Making Ethical Decisions
• The Ethical Code of the American Psychological
Association
• The Institutional Review Board
• Special situations
2
Ethics?
• Study and application of moral standards
• Basic moral principles involve:
– Focus on the well-being of others
– Transcending self-interest and personal
goals
– Universal truths, constants
– Impartiality
3
Ethical Code
• Code of conduct
– Accepted rules and regulations
– Psychologists follow APA’s code, but most
fields of science have a similar code
• Personal and organizational codes may
conflict
– You should strive to focus on the moral
principles
4
Utilitarianism
• Ethical behavior if positive outcomes >
negative ones
– Ends justify the means
• For psychologists and social science
researchers:
– Results should benefit others (more than
the study process will harm subjects)
– Best possible methods are being used for
data collection
5
Utilitarianism
• Advantages
– Rationale for temporary discomfort in
research
– Common sense view on morality of research
• Disadvantages
– What are the true impacts of a study?
– What is the cost of discomfort to participants?
– What are true benefits?
6
Principle of Rights
• Emphasizes universal privilege
• Highlights the ethicalness of intentions
• Categorical imperative: never treat
humanity as a means, but also as an end
• Basis for APA ethics – ensuring basic
rights
7
Principle of Rights
• Advantages
– Research procedures must respect dignity
of participants
– All people are to be treated as equal
• Disadvantages
– Conflicting rights of individuals
– Perhaps too absolutist
8
APA Ethics
• Need for a code by late 1940s:
–Following WWII, U.S. nuclear
experiments, Tuskegee Institute
experiments, others…
• APA’s ethical standards (1970s)
– Eventually linked with creation of IRBs
through the National Research Act (1974)
– Current revision
9
Developing the APA Code of Ethics
• First code  1953
– Hobbs committee
– Critical incidents procedure
– Most recent revision (2002)
• 2002 revision includes 10 general categories of
ethical issues
– 5 general principles + 89 specific standards
10
The APA Code of Ethics (cont’d)
Five general principles of the APA code:
1) Beneficence and non-malfeasance
– Constantly weigh costs & benefits; produce greatest good
2) Fidelity and responsibility
– Constantly aware of responsibility to society
3) Integrity
– Scrupulously honest
4) Justice
– Fair treatment
5) Respect for people’s rights and dignity
– Safeguard welfare, protect rights
11
Seeking IRB Approval
• Complexity of process depends on complexity
and risks of the study
• ALL research with humans (and animals)
must:
– use valid methods
– follow legal/ethical standards
– be IRB approved
12
Seeking IRB Approval
• Project must meet responsibility and
qualification criteria
– Responsible for welfare/dignity of
participants
– Qualified to do the research (students with
supervision OK)
13
Seeking IRB Approval
• With humans, voluntary implied consent
required
• Consent forms must:
– Be descriptive and clear
– Explain confidentiality/anonymity
procedures
– Provide participants with stated rights and
protections inherent in the study
14
Special Issues
• Young participants
– If under 18*, or disabled the guardian must
give consent
• Video/audio recording
– Need consent and confidentiality promises
• Deception
– By omission or commission requires
debriefing + special conditions
15
Debriefing
• Telling participants about the study
• Helps them understand the importance of
their involvement in research
• Required if deception is used
• Often left out, but very important
16
Ethical Dilemmas in Research
• For in-class discussions:
– Conformity among participants
– Eavesdropping for unobtrusive observation
– Requiring student participation
– Asking questions about sexual behaviors
17
What’s Next
• *Instructor to complete as a heads-up to
the students
18