Lecture Notes: Ethics in Research

Introduction

• Series: Part 3 on Culture and Ethics
• Focus on ethics in research, particularly in psychology
• Previous discussions on culture's intersection with politics & science
• Importance of treating research participants ethically

Fair Treatment of Participants

• Golden Rule: Treat participants as you would like to be treated
• Voluntariness:
  • Importance of consent and avoiding coercion
  • Example: Tuskegee Study's perceived benefits affected voluntariness
  • Compensation should not create undue influence
  • Participants should have the freedom to choose without harm

Data Collection and Privacy

• Minimal Data Collection:
  • Only collect necessary data
  • Privacy concerns with mobile devices
  • Avoid excessive invasiveness seen in some medical research

Deceit and Debriefing

• Deceit in Research:
  • Sometimes necessary but requires post-study debriefing
  • Case Studies: Milgram, Little Albert
  • Importance of emotional debriefing in sensitive research

Inducement of Uncomfortable States

• Balancing Harm and Benefit:
  • Allow some discomfort if benefits exceed
  • Example: Motion sickness research
  • Importance of voluntary withdrawal at any point

Animal Research Ethics

• Stricter Guidelines:
  • Animals can't consent or be debriefed
  • More stringent ethical considerations

Handling Research Data

• Plagiarism and Falsification:
  • Plagiarism: Taking others' ideas
  • Falsification: Creating false data
  • Both threaten scientific trust and integrity
• Researcher Obligations:
  • Understand and adhere to ethical responsibilities

Belmont Principles

• Three Core Principles:
  • Respect: Inform participants about their role
  • Beneficence: Aim to do good, benefits must outweigh risks
  • Justice: Treat individuals fairly, ensure valuable outcomes
• Institutional Review:
  • Universities have ethics boards
  • Compliance required for government funding

Pseudoscience

• Characteristics:
  • Mimics science but lacks scientific basis
  • Relies on anecdotal evidence rather than data
  • Examples: Phrenology, Subliminal Advertising
• Key Identifiers:
  • Effort justification, non-falsifiable claims, confirmation bias
  • Overly simplistic or vague explanations

Summary

• Importance of Ethical Research:
  • Ensures scientific integrity and trust
  • Protects participant rights and well-being
• Next Steps:
  • Explore further resources for deeper understanding

Conclusion

• Reminder: Be vigilant about pseudoscience
• End Note: Thank you and see you next round