Ethics in Research HCPC Standards PDF

Ethics in Research By Dr. Sarah El Sokary  Designing ethical research Potential benefits must always outweigh potential risks. Inform respondents of the research objectives and methods, as well Research as how and in what format they can expect to le...

Ethics in Research By Dr. Sarah El Sokary  Designing ethical research Potential benefits must always outweigh potential risks. Inform respondents of the research objectives and methods, as well Research as how and in what format they can expect to learn about the findings. Ethics in Practice Conducting and singing off a risk analysis Reduce potential and unintended harm Before starting, sign off on risk analysis from your supervisor  Selecting participants Participants should be involved in research that benefits them and can make an informed judgment about those potential benefits Properly explain purpose and expectation to participants Avoid topics that can trigger some groups Research Beware of the risks of research fatigue and frustration. Ethics in Always seek guidance when needed Practice Gaining the consent of participants Obtain voluntary and informed consent before conducting research Obtain consent of parents when working with minors Make sure no participant is forced to take part of the research  e d o rm - Informed consent should allow participants to understand the In f t se n purpose of the research o n C - They need to have all questions answered and doubts raised, and ability to walk away - Minimize power differences in you giving the informed consent - Ensure individual’s capacity to provide an informed consent  Information for clients need to include: - who & which organization(s) are collecting their data and carrying out e d o rm the research In f - what the study is about t se n- o n which activities participants will be involved in (e.g. interviews, focus C groups, surveys) - how data will be captured (e.g. audio/video recordings, online or paper surveys) - how the data will be stored and with whom the data will be shared - how the findings from the research will be used (e.g. policy, media or academic outputs) - how confidentiality and anonymity will be preserved, as required, and what circumstances might require confidentiality to be breached - how to withdraw from the research, complain or express concerns  e d o rm In f t Participants are free to give consent and to withdraw at any time se n Consent is given voluntarily, i.e. no pressure or coercion must be o n C applied, and no rewards of any kind promised in exchange Particular attention should be paid when researching vulnerable groups with low agency, for example, children or minors, people living with disabilities or mental illness, prisoners, ethnic minorities and displaced people  e d o rm - Information should be provided in a way that is accessible to In f t se n the groups researched, for example, through the use of o n C images, age-appropriate language and translations - Consent is not a simple one-time transaction; rather, it might need to be re-negotiated over time, particularly when conducting longitudinal studies, to ensure that any changes in the research are communicated and participants have the chance to withdraw  - Restrict access to raw data or findings to the research team and authorized persons only Confidentiali- Store data on approved platforms or servers, which usually ty & precludes most file-sharing platforms as well as personal computers and any unencrypted device (e.g. USB sticks). If Anonymity the research involves the use of audio-recorders, encrypted devices should be used  Whenever research findings or data are shared, for example during analysis, they must be either pseudonymized or fully anonymized. To do this, it is necessary to: Confidentiali - Separate data from any personally identifiable information - Restrict sharing combinations of information that could be used to ty & re-identify individuals Anonymity - Omit all personal and identifiable information that would allow re- identifying participants - Consider what other information would be available with which people outside the research team might make or infer links beyond  To honor our duty of care, for example when there is danger to participants or researchers (which, when relevant, they themselves can raise through safeguarding and whistleblowing mechanisms) If there are other legal obligations or matters of public interest, for instance in preventing crime, safeguarding staff, court proceedings, or potentially if compelled by a legal process When data are about very specific topics and experiences that might Limits to make subjects recognizable despite anonymization, for example interviews with experts or reports about political leaders. This non- Confidentiali anonymized information-sharing needs to be explained and agreed to ty by participants during the informed consent process.  When becoming aware of safeguarding issues and hence potentially considering breaching confidentiality: - It is crucial to assess the risk and harm of reporting or not reporting to both participants and researchers. - Participants must be consulted and informed before any Limits to reporting is initiated – breaching confidentiality must never happen without this consultation. It is also possible for Confidentiali reporting to be done anonymously ty - Participants have the right to refuse to report a safeguarding BPS Code of Ethics By Dr. Sarah El Sokary  - For the dignity of people - Recognize their worth regardless of real or perceived differences in social status, ethnic origin, gender, capacities, or any other Respect group-based characteristics - Sensitivity to the dynamics of perceived authority or influence - Recognize human rights  - Privacy and confidentiality - Respect - Communities and shared values within them - Impacts on the broader environment Respect - Issues of power Considerations - Consent - Self-discrimination - Compassionate care: empathy, sympathy, generosity, openness, distress tolerance, commitment and courage  Ability to provide specific services to the fullest professional standard Do not provide services outside of your Competence areas of knowledge, scope of practice, educational background, training and experience Commit to continuing development and education Maintain high professional standards  Possession or otherwise of appropriate skills and care needed to serve persons and people The limits of their competence and the potential need Competence to refer on to another professional Advances in the evidence base Consideration The need to maintain technical and practical skills s Matters of professional ethics and decision-making Any limitations to their competence to practice taking mitigating actions as necessary Caution in making knowledge claims  - Accept appropriate responsibility to what is within your power, control, or management - Awareness of this responsibility and ensuring others’ trust is not abused, the power of influence is properly Responsibilit managed and duty towards others is always y predominant - Avoidance of harm and prevention of misuse or abuse to society  Professional accountability Responsible use of their knowledge and skills Respect for the welfare of human, non-humans and the Responsibility living world Consideration Potentially competing duties s  - Being honest, truthful, accurate and consistent in one’s actions, words, decisions, methods and outcomes - Setting self-interest to one side and being objective and open to challenge in one’s behavior in a professional context - Prioritize honesty, accuracy, clarity and fairness in Integrity your interactions with all persons and peoples - Seek to promote integrity in all facets of their scientific and professional endeavors  - Honesty, openness and candour - Accurate unbiased representation - Fairness - Avoidance of exploitation and conflicts of interest (including self-interest) - Maintaining personal and professional Integrity boundaries Consideration - Addressing misconduct s  HCPC Standards By Dr. Sarah El Sokary  Treat them with respect (privacy & Promote and dignity) Involve them in decision-making protect the Obtain their consent interests of Challenge discriminations and always service check your own views for bias users and Maintain boundaries Communicate Be polite and considerate appropriately Listen and provide information or answers & Effectively Appropriate use of your social media Develop a network with other professionals to be resourceful  Refer if you are not skilled or competent in a specific area Develop your knowledge and skills Work within Keep up to date with your area of specialty Stay informed of the news and laws that might affect the limits of your clients your Ask for feedback to improve your provided services Delegate work to a competent professional who will knowledge carry it out safely and skills Continue to receive and provide supervision  - Disclose only if you have permission, law allows it, in the service user’s best interest, and to Respecting protect from harm - Take necessary steps to reduce the risk of harm Confidentiality - Stay aware of your physical and mental health because it will affect others if your capacity is & Managing compromised  - Obtain consent - Breach if absolutely necessary Reporting - Protect children and older/vulnerable adults - Follow-up on reported concerns Safety - Act on concerns reported to you if within your Concerns scope and refer otherwise  They have to be accurate, clear, and full Keep Immediately after your sessions Keep them safe and secure in password protected documen Records of Have a back-up in case data is lost Your Work