Psychological research touches on the privacy and dignity of an individual. This is because it is most effective when the subjects of the sample groups are candid and open. Ethics are the moral guidelines and social confines that govern research methodology. They ensure that the subjects are protected from any form of misconduct. Bracken-Roche (2017)argues that confidentiality is one of the essential things in psychological research. Subjects should be assured that their identity is kept private from persons outside the experiment. This includes limited contact with the organizers and implementer of the experiment. Limited contact with the other subjects also provides additional anonymity (Bracken-Roche, 2017).
Subjects should be aware of their rights and responsibilities before they embark on any research project. Some research projects give incentives to encourage participation of subjects. Examples are financial tokens or treatment programs that are implemented after or during the research. This is rights that must be accorded to the subject, and they should not benefit the researcher instead. A subject should also be able to make inquiries on the research methodology being employed. Any questions raised should be addressed by a suitable research team member. According to Smith (2015), the most important right that governs psychological research is the right to withdraw. Subjects should have the right to leave the study at any stage of the experiment.
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Cervone (2015) further points out that psychological research may sometimes include slight deception to the subject. This may apply to the control group who are not informed of their role. This is not considered a serious ethical issue as it is addressed as the research concludes. Another crucial moral aspect seeks to ensure that the subject is always protected psychologically. Every research project owes its subjects a debrief. This is a session that gives the subject a sense of closure and finality. The researcher is now able to evaluate the subject and self-evaluate his team on their conduct. The subject is also allowed to withdraw their results from the study on the grounds of uninformed consent or right to withdraw. This final ethical issue may not apply in the case of research where the subjects were unaware of the purpose of the study.
References
Bracken-Roche, D. (2017). Reconsidering "vulnerability" in research ethics: A critical analysis and proposal for the refinement of this concept. [Montreal]: McGill University Libraries.
Cervone, D., " Pervin, L. A. (2015). Personality, binder-ready version: theory and research. John Wiley " Sons.
Smith, J. A. (Ed.). (2015). Qualitative psychology: A practical guide to research methods. Sage.
