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Principles of Research and Application of Research Methods

Ethics in Psychological Research: confidentiality, deception, protection from harm and risk to values

  • 3 things to know
  • AS Unit 2

Overview

Confidentiality and how it differs from anonymity and privacy, deception and when it may be acceptable, protection from physical and psychological harm, and risks to participants' values and relationships.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

When might deception be regarded as acceptable?

Key term

What is meant by confidentiality?

Process

State two practical steps that protect confidentiality.

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    What is an ethical issue in psychological research?

    Model answer

    It is a conflict between the researcher's aim of gaining useful knowledge and the participant's right to be treated with dignity and protected from harm.

  2. 2

    What is meant by confidentiality?

    Model answer

    Confidentiality is the requirement that the information participants provide is protected and never made public in a form that identifies them.

  3. 3

    State two practical steps that protect confidentiality.

    Model answer

    Refer to each participant by a number or false name rather than by their real name, and store the data securely so that only the research team can see it.

  4. 4

    How does anonymity differ from confidentiality?

    Model answer

    Anonymity means identifying details are never collected in the first place, whereas confidentiality means they are collected but not disclosed.

  5. 5

    Define deception in research.

    Model answer

    Deception is deliberately misleading participants about the nature or purpose of the research, or withholding information they would need in order to decide whether to take part.

  6. 6

    Why is deception an ethical problem beyond the dishonesty itself?

    Model answer

    Participants who have been misled cannot give valid consent, because they are agreeing to something other than what they are actually taking part in.

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Principles of Research and Application of Research Methods
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