Dr. R.G. Tonks
Lab 4 -  Ethics

Review the section in the textbook on Ethics in Research (pp. 35-37). And look over the CPA Ethics Page

Remember that there are ethical concerns during the data collection phases, but also when reporting the results of statistical analyses and statements about such studies.  In the next chapter, (3-on Evoultionary Psych) you will be introduced to such ethical issues around intelligence and testing.  Meanwhile you will become familiar with the role of ethics in the data collection phases of research in this lab.

This semester you will be collecting some data that you will perform statistics on. As we move toward the development of your research projects you will need to complete the Ethics Checklist, and may need to develop a Participant Consent Form.  When you read through the Ethics Checklist, think about the underlined answers. These are the ones that may represent an ethical concern in the proposed study.

When reviewing the consent form, you can see that the essential elements of being informed about the nature of the study, as well as notification of being able to withdraw from the study at any time. For this week you will not need to complete these forms, but you should keep these issues in mind as we move forwards and you are asking people to provide data for you. They need to be informed and they also need to know that they don't have to answer any questions. 

Answer these questions:

Looking back to the Lab 2 activity (naturalistic observation) and Lab 3 (Descriptive Statistics), can you see any possible concerns that may potentially have arisen?  Describe them and explain.

How will these ethical concerns affect your decision in selecting variables for future labs and your research project?

What will you do to inform your participants about the study and how will you convey to them their right to withdraw etc.?

Next week we will start to look at your semester reserach projects, this lab will help you to determine an appropriate study.

Be sure to write up your report for this lab including a reference regarding ethics in psychological research