1. The Ethical
Guide
Test Your
Knowledge

2. DO GET INFORMED CONSENT
Before any research begins ,the researcher must briefly go
over the outline of the study.
Then the researcher must obtain permission
to take part
However, its not always possible to get ‘informed’ consent. Its
acceptable as long as the outcomes of the study benefits the
cons or negatives of the study.
…Purpose and procedures of the research
Inform participants of any risks involved. These include
not only physical injury but also possible psychological.
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 injury or emergency.

3. DO NOT CAUSE HARM
During the research , you should not cause any physical or psychological
harm to the participant.
I.E. you cannot expose participants to embarrassing ,
physically harmful and stressful situations etc.
Some studies may allow some degree
of harm. However , the amount of
harm has to be justified by the benefits
outweighing the negative of the study.

4. DO GIVE THE RIGHT TO WITHDRAW
Before the research begins , participants must be well aware
that they have the right to withdraw at any point in or after the
study.
Participants should not be made to feel any pressure to
continue the study if they don’t want to.
If participants do want to withdraw – researchers should not
penalize the participants from any other ‘after help’ i.e
psychological help after a study.

5. DO NOT USE DECEPTION
Deception involves the researcher misleading or wrongly
informing the participants
Deception is hard to avoid in most studies as it prevents
demand characteristics/social desirability. However deception
should be used as little as possible.
If deception is used – participants should be told at the
debriefing stage the true nature , aims and purpose of
the study.
Deception should be used carefully. The study should
have more positive aspects over the negative aspects.

6. DO DEBRIEF PARTICIPANTS
Researchers must ensure that all participants are
thoroughly debriefed.
Researchers must ensure that inform the participants of
what was being investigated ? ,what the
participants role was? and what they expected to
find?
This includes telling participants the true aims and purposes
after deception and telling participants reasons for the use of
deception.
Debrief is also important to make sure none of your participants
have any negative effects i.e psychological one – professional
help must be at hand as well as contact.

7. DO NOT BE DISRESPECTFUL TO PARTICIPANTS
Be respectful to your participants as they have taken time out of
their day to help with YOUR RESEARCH.
Its important that you treat all participants with
equality regardless of age , gender ,disabilities to
social economic status etc.
Respect should not just be shown in the
‘attitude’ towards participants but also
surrounding privacy, confidentiality as well
as any harm.

8. DO KEEP DATA CONFIDENTUAL
Any data collected about a participant must remain
confidential.
Participants have the right to know that their
information even if published will be confidential and
not identifiable as theirs.
If a circumstance occurs where the research will not
remain confidential – the participant must be warned in
advance prior to giving their consent for taking part in the
research.

9. DO NOT BE UNPROFESSIONAL
Make sure you act professionally when you
conduct your research.
Act professionally according to the BPS code of
ethics and conduct (2009).
i.E Do not turn up late to your own research.
Participants wont take you seriously, if you don’t take it
seriously.
i.E Seek assistance if your judgment's become
impaired by personal problems etc. For
example, your research could turn horrible if
you are feeling really angry.

10. REFERENCES AND EXTRA READING
http://www.bps.org.uk/what-we-do/ethicsstandards/ethics-standards
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TqJF
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