15.12
Ethics in Research
Today, scientists agree that good research is ethical in nature and is guided by a basic respect for human dignity and safety. However, this has not a…
Nowadays, before carrying out a psychological experiment, researchers must demonstrate that their study meets a code of ethics—standards that prevent their participants from overly experiencing any physical and psychological harm.
In the United States, Institutional Review Boards or IRBs—committees that consist of a variety of members from the school and community—are in charge of enforcing the code. They review research proposals based on a set of ethical guidelines and only allow experiments to proceed if they meet certain criteria.
For example, an IRB won’t approve a study unless it includes informed consent—the process of letting participants know the relevant aspects of the experiment and what will happen during the study. This way, participants are aware of any potential risks and implications before agreeing to participate in an experiment.
At this time, participants are also assured that any personal information they provide over the course of the study will remain confidential.
On occasion, researchers need to exclude certain details from the consent form due to the nature of the experiment. In this case, they may use deception—purposefully misleading experimental subjects for the sake of the study’s integrity and potential gain in knowledge.
For instance, perhaps a researcher wants to explore the calming effects of classical music on mood. Instead, she tells participants she’s interested in measuring how much they enjoy classical music, because if they knew the real point of the study, their expectations may unnaturally alter their states.
At the end of the study, the researcher must fully debrief participants: they reveal the true purpose of the experiment, why deception was necessary, and what the potential contributions might be to society.
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Q1: What is informed consent and why is it required in psychological research?
Informed consent is the process of letting participants know the relevant aspects of an experiment and what will happen during the study. Participants must understand potential risks and implications before agreeing to participate. An IRB won't approve a study unless it includes informed consent, ensuring participants are aware of their rights and can make voluntary decisions about their involvement.
Q2: When can researchers use deception in psychological experiments?
Researchers may use deception—purposefully misleading experimental subjects—only when necessary to maintain study integrity and prevent participants' knowledge from unnaturally altering results. For example, if studying how classical music affects mood, researchers might tell participants they're measuring music enjoyment instead. However, deception must never be harmful, and participants must receive full debriefing afterward revealing the true purpose and why deception was necessary.
Q3: What role do Institutional Review Boards play in research ethics?
Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) are committees consisting of school and community members responsible for enforcing ethical codes in research. They review research proposals based on ethical guidelines and only approve experiments meeting specific criteria, including informed consent and confidentiality protections. IRBs ensure that participants won't experience excessive physical or psychological harm during studies.
Q4: How did the Tuskegee Syphilis Study violate research ethics?
The Tuskegee Syphilis Study violated fundamental ethical principles by failing to inform 600 participants they had syphilis, denying them treatment even after penicillin became available in 1947, and preventing them from seeking outside care. Over 40 years, participants unknowingly spread the disease to their families and died untreated. This egregious violation led directly to the National Research Act of 1974 and modern strict ethical guidelines for human research.
Q5: What protections must researchers provide regarding participant data?
Researchers must guarantee that any personal information participants provide during a study remains completely confidential. This protection is a core requirement in informed consent forms and is enforced by IRBs. Additionally, participants are assured that their involvement is completely voluntary and can be discontinued without penalty at any time.
Q6: What is debriefing and when is it required?
Debriefing is the process where researchers reveal the true purpose of the experiment, explain why deception was necessary if applicable, and describe potential contributions to society. It must occur at the end of any study involving deception, providing participants with complete, honest information about the study's aims and how their data will be used.
Q7: How do ethical guidelines differ for animal research compared to human research?
While Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) oversee human research, Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees (IACUCs) review animal research proposals. IACUCs consist of administrators, scientists, veterinarians, and community members charged with ensuring humane treatment of animal subjects. Researchers must design experiments to minimize pain or distress, and IACUCs conduct semi-annual facility inspections to verify compliance with ethical protocols.