APS Code of Ethics: Informed Consent

APS Code of Ethics

Informed Consent

• Informed consent is the process of obtaining a person's voluntary agreement to participate in research or therapy
• Requires that individuals understand the nature of the research or therapy, including potential risks and benefits
• Informed consent must be obtained before initiating research or therapy
• Participants must be able to provide informed consent freely, without coercion or deception
• Researchers/therapists must ensure that participants understand the information provided and are able to make an informed decision

Confidentiality

• Confidentiality involves protecting the privacy of participants' personal information
• Researchers/therapists must maintain confidentiality and ensure that data is stored securely
• Confidentiality agreements may be necessary when working with collaborators or assistants
• Breaches of confidentiality can result in serious consequences, including legal and ethical repercussions

Beneficence

• Beneficence involves maximizing benefits and minimizing harm to participants
• Researchers/therapists must strive to ensure that their work benefits participants and society as a whole
• Beneficence involves considering the potential risks and benefits of research or therapy and ensuring that the benefits outweigh the risks
• Researchers/therapists must prioritize the well-being of participants and avoid causing unnecessary harm

Non-maleficence

• Non-maleficence involves avoiding harm to participants
• Researchers/therapists must prioritize the avoidance of harm and ensure that their actions do not cause unnecessary harm to participants
• Non-maleficence involves considering the potential risks of research or therapy and taking steps to minimize harm
• Researchers/therapists must be aware of their own biases and ensure that they do not cause harm to participants through negligence or intention

Respect

• Respect involves valuing the autonomy, dignity, and diversity of participants
• Researchers/therapists must recognize the inherent value and worth of participants as individuals
• Respect involves being sensitive to cultural, social, and individual differences and avoiding discrimination
• Researchers/therapists must ensure that participants are treated with respect and dignity throughout the research or therapeutic process

Propriety

• Propriety involves maintaining professional boundaries and avoiding exploitation
• Researchers/therapists must maintain professional relationships with participants and avoid exploiting them for personal gain
• Propriety involves being aware of power imbalances and avoiding actions that could be perceived as inappropriate or exploitative
• Researchers/therapists must ensure that their actions are guided by a commitment to ethical principles and not personal interests

Integrity

• Integrity involves being honest, transparent, and trustworthy
• Researchers/therapists must be truthful in their representations and avoid deceptive practices
• Integrity involves being transparent about methods, results, and limitations of research or therapy
• Researchers/therapists must ensure that their actions are guided by a commitment to ethical principles and not personal interests

APS Code of Ethics

Informed Consent

• Obtaining voluntary agreement to participate in research or therapy through a process that ensures participants understand the nature, risks, and benefits
• Must be obtained before initiating research or therapy, and participants must be able to provide consent freely without coercion or deception
• Researchers/therapists must ensure participants understand the information provided and can make an informed decision

Confidentiality

• Protecting participants' personal information by maintaining confidentiality and storing data securely
• Confidentiality agreements may be necessary when working with collaborators or assistants
• Breaches of confidentiality can result in serious consequences, including legal and ethical repercussions

Beneficence

• Maximizing benefits and minimizing harm to participants by considering potential risks and benefits
• Prioritizing the well-being of participants and avoiding unnecessary harm
• Ensuring the benefits of research or therapy outweigh the risks

Non-maleficence

• Avoiding harm to participants by considering potential risks and taking steps to minimize harm
• Prioritizing the avoidance of harm and ensuring actions do not cause unnecessary harm to participants
• Being aware of biases and avoiding harm through negligence or intention

Respect

• Valuing participants' autonomy, dignity, and diversity
• Recognizing the inherent value and worth of participants as individuals
• Being sensitive to cultural, social, and individual differences and avoiding discrimination

Propriety

• Maintaining professional boundaries and avoiding exploitation
• Avoiding actions that could be perceived as inappropriate or exploitative
• Being aware of power imbalances and ensuring actions are guided by ethical principles, not personal interests

Integrity

• Being honest, transparent, and trustworthy in representations and avoiding deceptive practices
• Being transparent about methods, results, and limitations of research or therapy
• Ensuring actions are guided by ethical principles, not personal interests