Psychology Experimental Designs and Ethics

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Questions and Answers

What experimental design matches participants by attributes such as age and gender?

Cross-sectional design

Matched pairs design (correct)

Repeated measures design

Independent measures design

Which of the following is a weakness of matched pairs design?

It reduces the risk of participant biases.

It is time-consuming to find matching participants. (correct)

It is more cost-effective than other designs.

All participants might have the same experience.

In which experimental design does one group experience all conditions?

Matched pairs design

Independent measures design

Repeated measures design (correct)

Cross-sectional design

What is an advantage of the repeated measures design?

Participants are less likely to be affected by individual differences. Signup and view all the answers

What term describes when participants alter their behavior because they know the study's purpose?

Demand characteristics Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of a hypothesis in research?

A tentative explanation or prediction. Signup and view all the answers

Which ethical issue involves ensuring participants can freely leave the study anytime?

Informed consent Signup and view all the answers

What must researchers provide to participants at the end of a study, especially if deception has occurred?

A debriefing Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of the BPS guidelines?

To outline ethical standards for professional psychologists Signup and view all the answers

What must researchers do before conducting a study involving participants?

Present their research idea to an ethics committee Signup and view all the answers

How should participants be identified in a study to maintain confidentiality?

By numbered labels like participant 1, participant 2 Signup and view all the answers

What is a key principle regarding informed consent in psychological research?

Participants must be provided with a letter detailing the study before giving consent Signup and view all the answers

What should participants be informed of during the debriefing process?

The true purpose of the study and their right to withdraw their data Signup and view all the answers

What happens if a psychologist fails to follow the BPS guidelines?

They risk losing their job Signup and view all the answers

Which principle emphasizes the need to protect participants from harm?

Responsibility Signup and view all the answers

What does the principle of Competence ensure for psychologists?

They provide honest and accurate advice Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Experimental Designs

Matched Pairs Design: Participants are matched based on similar characteristics like age, gender, or ability.
Weakness of Matched Pairs Design: Finding perfectly matched pairs can be challenging.
Repeated Measures Design: One group of participants takes part in both conditions of the experiment.
Advantage of Repeated Measures Design: Reduces the impact of individual differences, making it more efficient.

Ethical Considerations in Research

Ethical Issue: The conflict between valuable data collection and the rights/wellbeing of participants.
Ethical Issues to Consider:
- Informed Consent
- Protection from Harm
- Deception
- Privacy
- Confidentiality

Informed Consent: Participants must give permission (consent) in writing to participate.
Researcher Responsibility:
- Full Disclosure: Participants must be informed about the aims of the study.
- Right to Withdraw: Participants must be informed that they can leave the investigation at any point.
- Post-Study Disclosure: If participants were not informed of the aims at the start, they must be informed at the end.

Protection from Harm

Protection from Harm: Participants should not be placed at risk. Physical and psychological safety must be protected.
Researcher Responsibility: Participants should not be made to feel embarrassed or stressed.

Deception

Deception: Participants should not be lied to or misled. Mild deception can be justified.
Researcher Responsibility:
- Debriefing: At the end of the study, participants must get a full debrief.
- Reassurance: Participants should be reassured and offered counselling.

Privacy

Privacy: Individuals have the right to control private information.
Researcher Responsibility: Observing behavior in public places is generally acceptable, but listening to conversations and using it for research is not ethically acceptable.

Confidentiality

Confidentiality: Data about participants must remain anonymous.
Researcher Responsibility:
- Protecting Identity: If a person's privacy has been invaded, their identity should be protected.
- Data Ownership: Any data collected belongs to the individual.
- Anonymity: Participants should be referred to as, for example, participant 1, participant 2, participant 3 etc.
- Data Sharing: Data should not be shared with other researchers unless the participants consent beforehand.

BPS Guidelines

BPS Guidelines: A code of conduct that all professional psychologists in the UK must follow.
Consequences of Non-Compliance: Failure to follow these guidelines can result in losing one's job.
Ethics Committee: Every research idea must be presented to a panel and assessed for its ethical soundness.

Pre-Study Information: Participants should receive a letter with information about the study before signing up.
Consent Form: Participants must sign a consent form.
Justification for Lack of Consent: If participants are not able to provide consent, researchers must justify why.
Retrospective Consent: Obtaining consent after the study is known as retrospective consent.

Protecting Participants from Harm & Deception

Full Debriefing: Participants receive a full debriefing at the end of the study informing them of anything they were not told during the study (e.g., the true aims, the existence of other groups, etc.).
Right to Withdraw Data: Participants are informed they have the right to withdraw their data.
Counseling: Researchers must provide counseling or resources if participants need them.

Privacy & Confidentiality Procedures

Anonymous Participants: Participants must be anonymous.
Preventing Data Sharing: Data from the study should not be shared with other researchers unless participants have agreed to this.
Data Protection: Participants should be reminded that their data will be protected, anonymous, and confidential.

BPS Ethical Principles

Respect:
- Confidentiality, informed consent, avoiding deception, the right to withdraw, cultural and age considerations.
Responsibility:
- Protect participants from harm.
- Ensure safety, legality, minimal/no risk, and informed consent.
Competence: Psychologists should be properly qualified.
Integrity: Psychologists should give honest and accurate advice to participants.

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Description

Test your knowledge on various experimental designs in psychology, such as Matched Pairs Design and Repeated Measures Design. Additionally, explore the ethical considerations necessary for conducting research, including informed consent and participant rights. This quiz targets key concepts essential for understanding research methodologies in psychology.