Psychological research has the potential to violate participants’ rights, which is why strict ethical guidelines exist to keep studies safe and fair. Researchers must balance the need for accurate data against the moral duty to protect participants from physical and mental harm. Principles like informed consent, debriefing, and independent review panels keep these ethical standards in place throughout the whole experimental process.
Exams frequently test the definitions of informed consent and debriefing, often by asking at which stage of the experiment each one occurs. Students often misjudge how strict the deception rules are; remember that deception is ethically permitted in psychology, but only when necessary and always followed by a thorough debriefing. Also note that an independent review panel must evaluate and approve every study before it begins.
Part of Basic Psychology, module “Research Methods & Statistics”. Sign in (free) to read the full notes, flashcards and the lesson quiz.