This document outlines ethical guidelines for psychological research including protecting participants, informed consent, right of withdrawal, deception, debriefing, confidentiality, and privacy. It discusses that ethical issues can vary depending on the type of study or research method used. Researchers should consider potential ethical issues when planning a study and not break ethical guidelines except in rare cases where it may be necessary.

1. ETHICAL
GUIDELINES

2.  As there had been notable cases where
people had suffered harm as a result of
participation in psychological research
 Can you think of any examples?
 To protect the well being, health & dignity of
people who take part in psychological
research.
 To protect the reputation of psychology.

3. Can you list the main ethical guidelines?
 Protection of participants
 Informed consent
 Right of withdrawal
 Deception
 Debriefing
 Confidentiality
 Privacy
For each of these guidelines write a brief
description of what their implementation
involves

4.  Different studies and different research
methods raise particular ethical issues.
 Use the handout to list two ethical issues
raised by each of the core studies covered on
the AS course
 Now do the same for the A2 studies listed on
the handout
 Finally could you predict which ethical issues
you would need to consider when planning a
piece of research using one of the four main
research methods used by psychologists.

5.  In pairs list two reasons why ethical
guidelines should not be broken. For each
point uses an example from a piece of
research you have studied.
 In pairs list two reasons why ethical
guidelines may sometimes need to be
broken. For each point uses an example from
a piece of research you have studied.
 In your essay this is how to use the point-
example-comment format.