ETHICAL IMPLICATIONS of Research and Theory
Psychological research does not appear in a vacuum – it has an impact on the lives of those studied and other similar groups. The ethical implications of psychological research are concerned with the way research impacts on those who participate and the impact of the research findings on the wider society.
A quick recap – what are ETHICAL GUIDELINES and ETHICAL ISSUES?
As you will recall from Year 1, ethical guidelines were established to protect the participants in research. An ETHICAL ISSUE arises when there is a conflict between what a researcher wants to do (or is doing) and the rights and protection of the participants. Remember, steps can be taken to REDUCE / OVERCOME ethical issues.
Ethical IMPLICATIONS
Ethical implications refer to the impact that psychological research may have in terms of;
- The RIGHTS of people who are participating in the research
- The impact on WIDER SOCIETY
For the latter, there are ethical implications of research at a wider societal level. For example, psychological research has implications for;
- The INFLUENCING OF PUBLIC POLICY
- The way CERTAIN SOCIAL GROUPS ARE TREATED (e.g. research may lead to the discrimination of certain groups) or the PERCEPTION OF CERTAIN GROUPS OF PEOPLE
Ethical Issues and SOCIAL SENSITIVITY
SIEBER and STANLEY (1988) define social sensitivity as;
Some areas of study in psychology are likely to be more controversial than others, and it is these areas that are thought to be more SOCIALLY SENSITIVE.
Socially sensitive research often confronts TABOO topics, such as aspects of race, sexuality. They attract a lot of attention from other psychologists, but also from the media and general public at large.
However, just because research is SOCIALLY SENSITIVE does not mean it should not be conducted. ARONSON, 1999, states psychologists have a ‘SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY’ to conduct socially sensitive research.
ETHICAL ISSUES in SOCIALLY SENSITIVE RESEARCH
SIEBER and STANLEY (1988) have identified a number of concerns and issues that researchers should be mindful of when conducting socially sensitive research.
1) What are the IMPLICATIONSof the research for SOCIETY?
- What are the wider effects of the research? Will there be any negative implications / impacts of the research (e.g. could it validate PREJUDICE against certain groups which may lead to DISCRIMINATION)? Will the potential POSITIVE IMPLICATIONS override these?
- This is why a full COST / BENEFIT analysis should be conducted prior to the study taking plac
2) What are the potential PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS/APPLICATIONSof the research?
- What is the research likely to be USED FOR? Could the findings be used by the Government for political means to develop public policy? If this happens, are there any risks (i.e. will it lead to discrimination or prejudice?)
3) What is the VALIDITYof the research like?
- Are the findings and conclusions presented in an OBJECTIVE and BIAS-FREE way? Have the data collection methods been objective or have they been influenced by researcher bias?If there is any possible BIAS inthe research, this must be HIGHLIGHTED immediately so others can judge the impact of it. Researchers should also be given chance to REFLECT on any possible Bias (REFLEXIVITY)
Read page 28 in your pack. What are the 4 aspects in the scientific research process that raise ethical implications in socially sensitive research?
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Summarise below ONE PIECE of socially sensitive research/theory. Explain
- The ETHICAL IMPLICATIONS of the research
- WHY it is socially sensitive
- Any steps that could be/have been taken to improve the research
- Any critical / commentary points about the research
EVALUATION and COMMENTARY relating to Ethical Issues, the ethical implications of research and socially sensitive research
It is important to note that researcher SHOULD NOT SHY AWAY FROM SOCIALLY SENSITIVE RESEARCH as it may have MAJOR POSITIVE IMPLICATIONS
Research into socially sensitive issues and topics SHOULD be studied and not avoided. SCARR (1988) argues that only by studying socially sensitive areas and underrepresented groups will we promote a greater sensitivity and understanding of these.
In addition, SIBER and STANLEY (1988) take this further by arguing that by avoiding controversial and socially sensitive aspects, psychologists are AVOIDING THEIR SCIENTIFIC RESPONSIBILITY; in essence, they are further saying that psychologists have a DUTY to conduct socially sensitive research.
Socially sensitive research will therefore have SIGNIFICANT BENEFITS FOR SOCIETY if conducted correctly it will lead to improved understanding and reduced prejudice about certain taboo areas.
If conducted and reported correctly, and if researchers take PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY for their research by engaging with the public and policy makers, socially sensitive research can have MAJOR POSITIVE PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS and IMPLICATIONS WITH PSYCHOLOGY AND SOCIETY.
Psychologists should be aware of the possibility that their research has the potential to be misused and may lead to abuse, prejudice and discrimination. To avoid this, psychologists should be energetic in taking responsibility for the presentation of their findings.
If researchers take PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY for their studies, they can ensure the findings and conclusions can be communicated in an appropriately sensitive way which will reduce the negative aspects that arise.
If the psychologists also discusses the APPLICATIONS of their research, and ENGAGES WITH THE PUBLIC AND POLICY MAKERS they can also ensure that it is used in a appropriate and sensitive way and does not lead to developments that promote discrimination or prejudice.
Any research with potential ETHICAL ISSUES and IMPLICATIONS should be subject to a thorough COST – BENEFIT ANALYSIS prior to the study taking place, as well as a full review by an ethical committee.
Any research, but particularly that which may be socially sensitive, must be reviewed by an ETHICAL COMMITTEE prior to the study taking place. This will ensure that the study is conducted in an ethical way as possible. Ethical committees allow DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES (especially the perspectives of EXPERTS in an area) to judge the research, which may highlight aspects that have been missed by the researcher (either unknowingly or through their own personal biases).
As part of this, a full COST – BENEFIT analysis should occur, where the benefits of the research are weighed up against potential costs, both in relation to the participants and the societal impact of the research.
Although any COST – BENEFIT analysis is invariably SUBJECTIVE, it does increase the chance that research is as ETHICALLY SENSITIVE as possible before it is conducted.
Use the space below to summarise the above points along with the evaluation points on page 31 of your issues and debates pack..
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