9/12/12Research Methods in PsychologyGetting new ideas accumulation of knowledge- Exploring conflicting findings: assimilation vs. contrast- New domains and investigation techniques (neuropsychological techniques) o Perceiving or imagining an action leads to activation of the same areas involved in executing the actionEthics in ResearchWhen we talk about ethical research- It is not ethical to use individuals (humans or animals) solely as means to an end- Balance between the scientific quality vs. the ethical quality of researcho Quality and importance of the research vs. the rights and welfare of participants- Principles used to define researcho Conduct of the researcho Appropriate credit for ideas and efforto How resulting knowledge should be used- Ethical research ensures the effectiveness/legitimacy of behavioral researchHistory- Unethical researcho Nazi medical war crimes (1939-1945)o The syphilis study at Tuskegee (1930s-1972)- Nuremberg code (Aug 1947) – first international code of research ethicso 10 directiveso Look at the rest of slide infoAmerican psychological association guidelines on research with humans- 4 basic goals of ethical researcho Protecting participants from physical and psych harm Milgram (1974)- Electric shock the person in the next room b/c researcher tells you to Self-esteem experiments Embarrassment o Providing freedom of choice about participating in research Minimize potential for coercion or undue influence- Lab vs. outside lab research (naturalistic settings, institutions)- Payment- Research with students- Diminished capacity/autonomy (illness, treatment, age, etc…)- Pregnant women and children- Research with prisoners Informed consent- Purpose and procedure- Who is conducting the research- How the results are going to be used- Participants’ rights during the experimento Maintaining awareness of the power differential Ensuring that participants are treated fairly and respectfully Privacy- Anonymity- confidentialityo Honestly describing the nature and use of research Deception: information about the nature of the research project is withheld- Consequences of deceptiono No long-lasting psychological effecto More enjoyment and educational benefits from studies using deceptiono Harmful to the researcher’s ability to conduct research Debriefing: explaining the real purpose and procedures of the study and removing any potential aftereffects- Assess the effectiveness of the deceptiono Suspicion check- Alleviate the potential impact- Eliminate the long-term consequences of deception- Achieving the 4 goals…o Weighting the cost and benefits (knowledge to be gained vs. potential harm) The institutional review board (IRB)- Proposed research meets the regulations of the department of health and human services- 5 members (scientists, individuals with non-scientific interest and people not affiliated with the institution Empirical research to assess the cost-benefits
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