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Ethics: reporting and application

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  • Ethics: reporting and application

Ethical considerations are important not only when carrying out research - but in reporting and applying the findings.  Consider the following fictitious research findings:

A researcher finds that immigrant children score higher on IQ testing than the local population.

A study shows that a specific gene appears to be linked to drug use.

A correlational study finds that students engaging in gaming for more than 20 hours are highly likely to commit acts of random violence.

As you can probably see, each of these studies could have some serious implications for society. Ethical considerations are not simply relevant to how research is carried out - they are also relevant to how results are shared with the general public and how they are applied.

Specifically, psychologists have to be concerned for the safety of members of the social group being studied - for example, immigrants - and for friends and relatives of those taking part in the study, especially in case studies.

In psychology, there are two positions on how to carry out research. 

The objective approach

The researcher should remain value-free and unbiased when conducting their investigations.

Objectivity is a feature of science, and if something is objective it is not affected by the personal feelings and experiences of the researcher.  

The objective approach argues that when psychologists become activists, their own biases may affect the validity of their research.

The humanistic approach

Sometimes called the “social activism” approach.

Humanists promote the ethical use of psychological knowledge and research, in their efforts to address economic, racial, and gender-based injustices and other forms of oppression.

Key ethical considerations.

Sieber & Stanley (1988) propose the following ethical guidelines for the publication and application of what they call Socially Sensitive Research.

Justice & equitable treatment

Unjust treatment includes publishing an idea that leads to prejudice against a group or withholding treatment that you believe is beneficial from some participants so that you can use them as controls.

Sound & valid methodology

When research findings are publicized, people are likely to take them as fact and policies may be based on them. It is important that the limitations of the studies are explicitly communicated to all constituents.

Deception

It is important that findings are stated precisely and cautiously to avoid misunderstandings or misinterpretations of the research.  Any misrepresentations of the findings by policymakers or the media should be directly addressed by the researchers.

Reflexivity

Researchers should be aware of how their findings may be used by others. They should make explicit the assumptions underlying their research so that the public can consider whether they agree with these. They should be aware of their own values and biases and how they may have influenced their findings.