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A Framework for Thinking About Research Ethics

20 January, 2016 - 17:01

Table 3.1 presents a framework for thinking through the ethical issues involved in psychological research. The rows of Table 3.1 represent four general moral principles that apply to scientific research: weighing risks against benefits, acting responsibly and with integrity, seeking justice, and respecting people’s rights and dignity. (These principles are adapted from those in the American Psychological Association [APA] Ethics Code.) The columns of Table 3.1 represent three groups of people that are affected by scientific research: the research participants, the scientific community, and society more generally. The idea is that a thorough consideration of the ethics of any research project must take into account how each of the four moral principles applies to each of the three groups of people.

Table 3.1 A Framework for Thinking About Ethical Issues in Scientific Research
 

Who is affected?

Moralprinciple

Researchparticipants

Scientific community

Society

Weighing risks against benefits

     

Acting responsibly and with integrity

     

Seeking justice

     

Respecting people’s rights and dignity