Research study

W3: Ethics 300 Words

Contains unread posts

The  APA Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct  outline the code of ethics for psychologists. There are general ethical principles that should be considered in research design. In the discussion this week, our goal is to identify and raise potential ethical concerns for conducting research methods in social sciences. In this discussion, you will examine one of APA’s general principles or one section of the Code of Conduct. Explain the impact of the principle or code on research participants or the misuse of research findings in the public. Provide at least one example (either from the literature or generate one yourself) of how the misuse or absence of the principle/code could negatively impact participants or the public. Please include an explanation of the ethical principal and why it is important for researchers to uphold ethical principles.

Please review these guidelines prior to starting the discussion to ensure you earn maximum points

EXAMPLE

For this discussion, I chose ethics code 3.05: Multiple Relationships. This code is in place to protect against to circumstance in which a psychologist is in a place of profession at the same time as a place of romantic relationship with either their client or a person closely associated with their client. This also includes the situation of promising a future relationship with either a client or person closely related to the client. 

Without this ethics code in place, the risks, and dangers to both the public, clients, and professionals is biased results. When we are in a close relationship with people, be it a friendship, familial, or a romantic relationship, we tend to work hard to please the other people/person, including avoiding topics or items that may upset them. This could be a serious issue for a professional if they find themselves in a romantic relationship with their client or someone closely associated, as they may try to avoid treatment options or prolong the necessity to tell them certain results that are imperative for diagnosis and overall treatment success. 

Due to how impactful this could be regarding research and treatment efficiency, it is imperative that professionals do everything in their power to refrain from a situation of multipole relationships from forming. If they do find themselves having formed or in the midst of forming a relationship under these circumstances, it is advised to work quickly and efficiently to resolve the situation and do so in a way it is most benefits the client and follows ethics guidelines. 

~Kyra

References: American Psychological Association. (n.d.). Ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct. American Psychological Association. Retrieved October 20, 2021, from https://www.apa.org/ethics/code/index.