Descriptive Methods & Ethical ResearchCorrelational MethodsCausal claimsSlide 4Theory 1: Storks deliver babiesTheory 2: underlying third variableThe experimental methodSlide 8Slide 9Ethical researchSlide 11Using humans in researchAPA’s code of ethicsInformed consentSlide 15Using deception in researchSlide 17Slide 18Slide 19APA’s code of ethics (cont.)Costs/Benefits analysisEthical responsibility to scienceSlide 23Slide 24Using animals in researchSlide 26Slide 27Animal ethics: What rights do animals have?Next timeDescriptive Methods & Ethical ResearchPsych 231: Research Methods in PsychologyCorrelational MethodsMeasure two (or more) variables for each individual to see if the variables are relatedUsed for:–Predictions–Reliability and Validity–Evaluating theoriesProblems: Can’t make casual claimsCausal claimsWe’d like to say: –variable X causes variable YTo be able to do this:–The causal variable must come first–There must be co-variation between the two variables–Need to eliminate plausible alternative explanationsCausal claimsDirectionality Problem:–Airplanes and coffee spills–Happy people sleep well•or is it that sleeping well when you’re happy?Third variable problem:–Do Storks bring babies?•A study reported a strong positive correlation between number of babies and stork sightingsTheory 1: Storks deliver babiesTheory 2: underlying third variableThe experimental methodManipulating and controlling variables in laboratory experimentsMust have a comparison–At least two groups (often more) that get compared–One groups serves as a control for the other groupVariables–Independent variable - the variable that is manipulated –Dependent variable - the variable that is measured –Control variables - held constant for all participants in the experimentThe experimental methodAdvantages–Precise control possible–Precise measurement possible–Theory testing possible–Can make causal claimsThe experimental methodDisadvantages–Artificial situations may restrict generalization to “real world”–Complex behaviors may be difficult to measureEthical researchTwo basic categories of ethical concerns:–need to consider the rights of our participants in our research–need to behave ethically as scientists and practitionersEthical researchConsider ethics at each step–What measurement techniques will be used–How are participants selected–What methods may be used on the participant population–What design is appropriate–How are the data analyzed–How are the results reportedUsing humans in researchFor the most part the researcher has the power:•you know what is going to be done to the participants•participants may feel like they have to do itAPA’s code of ethicsBasic courtesyInstitutional review board approval Informed consentInformed consentInformation to allow a person to decide if they want to participate–Basic purpose of the study–Risks involved–Benefits involved–Rights to refuse or terminate participationAPA’s code of ethicsBasic courtesyInstitutional review board approval Informed consent Avoiding deceptionUsing deception in researchPassive deception–Witholding information about the studyActive deception–Deliberately misleading participantsUsing deception in researchAvoid it when possibleWhen not possible – won’t work without it–Make sure that you are up front with all possible risks–Potential results must be worth it –Must debrief participants as soon as possible (either right after participation or as soon as project is over)Using deception in researchAlternatives to deception–Role-playing–Simulation studies–“honest” experimentsAPA’s code of ethicsBasic courtesyInstitutional review board approval Informed consent Avoiding deception Freedom from coercion Protection from harmAPA’s code of ethics (cont.)DebriefingConfidentialityCosts vs. BenefitsCosts/Benefits analysisCosts: all potential risks to the participants–Physical harm–Psychological harm–Loss of confidentialityBenefits: the “good” outcomes–Direct benefits to participants–Benefits to knowledge base–Benefits to world at largeEthical responsibility to scienceDirty tricks (this will get you thrown out)Questionable tricks (these are a little fuzzier, but be wary)Neat tricks (accepted as okay, and sometimes necessary)Ethical responsibility to scienceFabrication of resultsLittle or no attempt to minimize demand biases Reformulating your theory as you goFalsifying credentials Plagiarism Little or no attempt to minimize confoundsDeliberately hiding (significant) errors in published work Little or no attempt to minimize demand characteristicsDTDTDTQTQTDTQTNTEthical responsibility to scienceThrowing out data Reorganizing order of report of experimentsViolations of underlying statistical assumptionsStrategic graphing of the data Duplicate publications (presented as new) Selective reporting of the resultsLeaving out some bad experiments (not bad results) QT or DT depending on situation (reason for throwing out)??QTQTQTNTNTDTUsing animals in researchWhy use animals in research?–Same building blocks (e.g., nervous systems)–Control•often we can’t control the relevant past experiences of our human subjects, but we can with animals •easier to control certain experimental factors with animals–Irreversible and/or harmful effectsUsing animals in researchWhy use animals in research (cont.)? –Some unique, special characteristics –Simpler systems–May allow you to focus on particular variables (IV’s and DV’s), easier to do the experiment without a lot of complex interactionsUsing animals in researchBut animals and humans are different–Well, there are strong similarities•evolution - common ancestry - as a result, things may work in similar ways–But, we do need to be aware that there are differences, and always keep that critical eye, think of alternative explanationsAnimal ethics: What rights do animals have?If animals are so similar to humans, then shouldn’t they have similar rights that humans have? Isn’t it unethical to do things to them that we wouldn’t do to ourselves?There is no simple answer, no clear right or wrong. Each individual must decide for themselves. However, animal research has certainly helped