Ethical issues: Psychological studies

In psychology, researchers are one of the basic elements which have to be completed during students’ academic years. While conducting, research students have to make sure that they choose the correct research method. They have to try to limit ethical issues as much as they can, to provide a much positive ground in their research study. Researching is a very delicate task; you have to try your level best to not include a bias and manipulative ending.

Before including participants in your study, it is wise to ask for their consent. For example, in Milgram’s study (1963) the volunteered to participate in a study of learning, not obedience. The actual purpose of the research was hidden from the participant; this does not mean that the participants were actually willing to witness what was stored for them. In another study conducted by Zimbardo et al (1973), the subjects signed a written consent, but were misinformed as well. The positive aspect of both the study was that the participants were debriefed.

You have to make sure that even if you are going to misinform the participants so that your research does not include biases or false data, you have to make sure that you debrief each participant at the end of your research, to make sure no harm has been caused to them.

Furthermore, confidentiality is supposedly one of the most motivating factors for participants to be a part of the research. It is of greater importance when conducting a case study or any other study, especially when the research includes data obtained by patients. You have to hide the individuals’ personal information so that no further problems would be faced by them.

Placing the choice to withdraw from the study is a safe house. How is that so? When conducting a research, you should not make your participants feel as though they are bound to be a part of your research. If there is no right to withdraw actions in your research may affect the individuals participating in your research, giving it a negative aspect. On the other hand, you have to try to keep a less controlled environment so that the volunteers would not be forced to behave in ways that go against their normal demeanor.

Milgram (1963) study abused the right for the participants to withdraw, even though they had the right to. Whenever any participant chose to leave, they were stopped by using prods to stop them from withdrawing.

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