History of Ethics in Research
Nuremberg Code
Participants should consent to participate in research. Participants should be fully informed of the nature of the research project. Risks should be avoided whenever possible.
Participants should be protected against risks to the greatest extent possible.
Projects should be conducted by scientifically qualified personnel.
Participants have the right to discontinue participation at any time.
Belmont Report
Respect for Persons, individuals should be treated as autonomous agents.
Beneficence, maximize potential benefits and minimize potential harms.
Justice, the risks and benefits of research should be shared equally.
Unethical Experiments
Debriefing
Must explain to participants what the nature and purpose of the project was. Must explain any deception. Must not rush through it. Must be sensitive to the emotional state of the participant. Must reassure participant that responses were confidential or anonymous.
Must explain right away.
Vulnerable Populations
Depends on the participants, but generally includes:
Children, people with physical or mental disorders, prisoners, the elderly, low literacy, english as second language, etc.
Institutional Review Board IRB
Reviews all human subjects research conducted by the organization with which it is affiliated, usually a university.
Conducts a risk/benefit assessment.
Ensures that research participants rights are being protected.
Animals in Psychological Research
Lots of psychological research using animals such as mice, rats, parrots, monkeys, and pigs.
Supporters point to medical breakthroughs-surgery, medications, painkillers, antibiotics, etc.
Other Ethical Obligations