Ethical Guidelines in Psychology (AP Psychology Unit 1.6)

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APA Guideline 1: Informed Consent: This refers to the ethical principle that researchers must obtain voluntary and informed agreement from participants before involving them in a study. Participants should be provided with information about the study's purpose, procedures, risks, and benefits. Informed consent ensures that individuals are aware of what they are getting into and can make an educated decision about participating.

APA Guideline 2: Protection from Harm: Researchers are responsible for minimizing any potential physical or psychological harm that participants might experience as a result of their involvement in a study. This guideline underscores the importance of prioritizing the well-being and safety of participants.

APA Guideline 3: Confidentiality of Personal Data: This principle emphasizes that researchers must protect the privacy of participants by ensuring that their personal information remains confidential. Participants' identities and responses should be kept anonymous unless explicit consent is obtained to reveal specific information.

APA Guideline 4: Debriefing: After a study is conducted, researchers are obligated to provide participants with a thorough explanation of the study's purpose, procedures, and any deception that might have been involved. Debriefing allows participants to gain insight into the study's goals and the reasons for its design.

Institutional Review Board (IRB): An IRB is a committee established at research institutions to review and approve research proposals involving human participants. The IRB ensures that research adheres to ethical guidelines, including informed consent, protection from harm, and confidentiality. It evaluates the ethical and methodological aspects of research projects.

Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC): Similar to an IRB, an IACUC oversees research involving animals. It ensures that animals are treated ethically and that their welfare is a top priority in research projects.

HIPAA Privacy Rule: The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy Rule is a regulation in the United States that sets standards for protecting the privacy and security of individuals' health information. It applies to health care providers, health plans, and health care clearinghouses, aiming to safeguard patients' sensitive medical information.

FDA Regulations for Psychology Research: While the FDA primarily regulates medical and pharmaceutical research, its regulations might also be relevant to certain psychological studies that involve investigational drugs, devices, or interventions that fall under its jurisdiction. Researchers need to follow FDA guidelines when their work involves such elements.

Learning objectives: Identify how ethical issues inform and constrain research practices. Describe how ethical and legal guidelines protect research participants and promote sound ethical practice.

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