Myers and Hansen, 7th edition

Chapter 2
Research Ethics

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 Chapter Objectives
1. Understand what
research ethics entails.
2. Distinguish the roles of
IRBs in the Philippines
and in the school and the
APA Guidelines in the
ethical conduct of
research using human
participants.
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3. Understand scientific
fraud and avoid plagiarism.
4. Demonstrate an
understanding of human
welfare and how to protect
participants.
5. Demonstrate how to
paraphrase and cite sources
properly.
What are research ethics?

are a framework of values within which

we conduct research.

Ethics help researchers identify actions we consider good

or bad, and explain the principles by which we
responsible decisions in actual situations
 As scientists, it is our responsibility to report our
findings truthfully (whether we like them or not). Thus,
science per se does not include values.

“
Yet, responsible research is aimed at advancing our
understanding of feelings, thoughts, and behaviors in
ways that will ultimately benefit humanity.

But the well-being of the research participant is equally

important with our search for knowldge.

A researcher is also responsible for what

happens to research participants even if some harm
occurs unintentionally.
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What is an Institutional Review Board (IRB)?

IRBs, which are composed of laypeople and researchers,

evaluate reseach proposals to make sure that they follow
ethical standards.

As researchers, we must accurately estimate the degree

of risk in our research. We typically do this by reading
the literature and consulting with colleagues.

IRBs will also help researchers estimate the degree of risk

involved in their studies.
What do “at risk” or at “minimal risk” mean?

Studies that place subjects at risk increase the chance of

harm compared with not participating in the study.

Minimal risk studies do not increase the likelihood of

injury.
When should an IRB approve an “at risk” study?

IRBs should approve an “at risk” study when a

risk/benefit analysis determines that risks to participants
are outweighed by gains in knowledge.

We need to put up an IRB in our school or department.

 Rosenthal’s 3 reasons why poorly designed research can be
unethical:
1. Students, teachers, and administrators’ time will be taken from
potentially more beneficial educational experiences.

2. Poorly designed research can lead to unwarranted and

inaccurate conclusions that may be damaging to the society that
directly or indirectly pays for the research.

3. Allocating time and money to poor-quality science will keep

those finite resources from better-quality science.

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Which three principles did the Belmont Report (1979)
emphasize?
The Belmont Report proposed three principles:

1. Respect for persons: individuals have the right of self-determination

(basis of informed consent). Provision of extra protection for vulnerable
populations (those economically and educationally disadvantaged, prisoners
or pregnant women and individuals with diminished capacity (children or
cognitively impaired persons) while respecting their self-determination to
the greatest extent possible.

2. Beneficence: Beneficence refers to society as well as to individuals.

Minimize harm and maximize potential benefits (basis of risk/benefit
analysis) before proposing any research.
Three principles...

3. Justice: fairness in both the burdens and benefits of

research. Research subjects should come from the groups
most likely to reap the benefits.
What is informed consent?
A subject or guardian agrees in writing to the subject’s participation
after having been fully informed about the nature of the study and
relevant details of the experiment have been explained.

The purpose of informed consent is to give participants enough

information about the experiment so that they can make an informed
decision about whether or not they want to participate.

1. Individuals must give their consent freely without the use of force,
duress, or coercion.
2. They must be free to drop out of the experiment at any

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time.

3. Researchers must give subjects a full explanation of the

procedures to be followed and offer to answer any questions
about them

4. Researchers must make clear the potential risks and

benefits of the experiment.
This description may include risks and benefits, but the
specific hypothesis of the experiment is not disclosed.
 “
If there is any possibility of pain or injury, researchers
must explain this in advance so that subjects know what they
are getting into before they agree to participate.

5. Researchers must provide assurance that all data will remain

private and confidential.

6. According to federal guidelines, subjects may be asked to

release the researchers (or study, sponsors, institutions, or
other agents) from liability or to waive their legal rights in the
case of injury.
 Consent should be obtained in writing, and participants
should receive a copy to keep.

“
When the experimental study would involve a minor or is
cognitively impaired (adults with Alzheimer’s, children
with autism or learning disabilities), researchers need to
obtain consent from the parent or legal guardian.

In these cases, subjects should still be given as much

explanation as they can understand and be allowed to
refuse to participate, even though the parent or guardian
has given permission.

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The assent or agreement of minor children ages 7 and above
is usually a requirement of their participation.

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Consent forms need to be written in clear, understandable
language at the appropriate reading level for participants.

To ensure that informed consent is really being obtained,

researchers need to verbally reinforce information that is
important for subjects.
Sample Consent Form for Participation of Undergraduates in
Psychological Research

Project Title:
“
Name of investigator:
How to contact the investigator:

You are being asked to volunteer for a research study to

investigate (provide details about the nature of the research, a
brief description of specific procedures of the study, length of
time for participation, and potential risks and benefits).
Your participation in this study is voluntary. If you agree to participate,
you are free to withdraw from the study at any point without penalty. All
information you provide in this study will be anonymous. Your name
will not be linked to your information in any way; instead code
numbers will be used. Adequate safeguards will be used to maintain
the privacy and confidentiality of all information you provide. When
the results of the study are reported, only group results will be
described, not individual results.
 The experimenter will answer any questions you have about the
study before you agree to participate. You will be given a copy
of this form to keep. For questions you may have after the
study, please contact the investigator listed above. For questions
about your rights as a research participant, please contact
(include contact information for your institution’s IRB). If you
agree to participate in this study, please sign and date the form
below in the spaces provided.

_____________________ ____________
Participant’s Signature Date
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