Ethics in Psychology Quiz

What is the primary purpose of ethical guidelines in psychological research?

• To ensure researchers receive funding

• To protect the welfare and rights of participants

• To increase the speed of research

• To promote competition among researchers

Answer explanation

The primary purpose of ethical guidelines in psychological research is to protect the welfare and rights of participants, ensuring their safety and dignity throughout the research process.

Informed consent in psychological research means:

• Participants are told the results of the study

• Participants agree to take part without knowing the details

• Participants are fully aware of the nature and purpose of the research

• Participants are paid for their involvement

Answer explanation

Informed consent means that participants are fully aware of the nature and purpose of the research before agreeing to take part. This ensures ethical standards are met and participants can make an informed decision.

What is the ethical concern when using deception in psychological studies?

• It can lead to inaccurate results

• It may cause harm or distress to participants

• It is too costly

• It is difficult to implement

Answer explanation

The ethical concern with deception in psychological studies is that it may cause harm or distress to participants, undermining their well-being and trust in the research process.

Which of the following is an example of maintaining confidentiality in research?

• Publishing participants' names with their data

• Storing data in a secure, password-protected database

• Sharing data with other researchers without consent

• Discussing participants' results with their family

Answer explanation

Storing data in a secure, password-protected database is an example of maintaining confidentiality, as it protects participants' information from unauthorized access, unlike the other options which compromise confidentiality.

What is the role of an ethics committee in psychological research?

• To fund research projects

• To review and approve research proposals for ethical compliance

• To conduct the research

• To publish research findings

Answer explanation

The role of an ethics committee in psychological research is to review and approve research proposals for ethical compliance, ensuring that the rights and welfare of participants are protected.

Why is debriefing important in psychological research?

• It helps researchers gather more data

• It provides participants with a summary of the study and its findings

• It allows participants to withdraw from the study

• It increases the sample size

Answer explanation

Debriefing is crucial as it provides participants with a summary of the study and its findings, ensuring they understand the research context and outcomes, which enhances transparency and ethical standards in psychological research.

What does the term "voluntary participation" mean in the context of psychological research?

• Participants are paid to join the study

• Participants are forced to join the study

• Participants choose to join the study without any coercion

• Participants are unaware they are part of a study

Answer explanation

In psychological research, "voluntary participation" means that participants choose to join the study freely, without any pressure or coercion. This ensures ethical standards are upheld, making the correct choice: participants choose to join the study without any coercion.

What is the significance of maintaining anonymity in psychological research?

• It allows researchers to publish data freely

• It ensures participants' identities are not linked to their data

• It increases the number of participants

• It reduces the cost of the study

Answer explanation

Maintaining anonymity in psychological research is crucial as it ensures participants' identities are not linked to their data, promoting honesty and reducing the risk of bias or harm to participants.

What is the primary ethical concern with using vulnerable populations in psychological research?

• They may not provide accurate data

• They may not fully understand their rights or the research

• They require more resources to study

• They are difficult to recruit

Answer explanation

The primary ethical concern is that vulnerable populations may not fully understand their rights or the research, which can lead to exploitation and lack of informed consent.

If deception is used in a study, then it is important that participants are ________ at the end.

Answer explanation

If deception is used in a study, it is crucial to debrief participants afterward to ensure they understand the true nature of the study and to address any potential ethical concerns. Therefore, participants should be debriefed.