PS295 Study Guide - Midterm Guide: Natural Sciences And Engineering Research Council, Engineering Council, Institutional Animal Care And Use Committee
Ethics
-2 obligations of behaviour scientists: (1) provide info that enhances knowledge/understanding and
leads to improvement of welfare and (2) protect rights/welfare of participants being studied
3 approaches to resolving ethical issues (when 2 obligations conflict)
1) Deontology:
-ethics judges in light of universal moral code
-certain actions are inherently unethical/never should be performed regardless of
circumstance
-deception in research always unethical
2) Ethical skepticism:
-ethical rules are arbitrary and relative to culture and time
-ethical decisions are a matter of each person's own conscience
3) Utilitarianism:
-pragmatic, ethics depend on consequences; benefits should outweigh costs
-this is what APA and federal regulations use
Cost benefit analysis:
Benefits: basic knowledge, improvement of research, practical outcomes, benefits for researchers
and participants
Costs: waste of time and effort, risks to welfare, money and supplies etc
IRB (institutional review board):
Document Summary
2 obligations of behaviour scientists: (1) provide info that enhances knowledge/understanding and leads to improvement of welfare and (2) protect rights/welfare of participants being studied. 3 approaches to resolving ethical issues (when 2 obligations conflict: deontology: Ethics judges in light of universal moral code. Certain actions are inherently unethical/never should be performed regardless of circumstance. Deception in research always unethical: ethical skepticism: Ethical rules are arbitrary and relative to culture and time. Ethical decisions are a matter of each person"s own conscience: utilitarianism: Pragmatic, ethics depend on consequences; benefits should outweigh costs. This is what apa and federal regulations use. Benefits: basic knowledge, improvement of research, practical outcomes, benefits for researchers. Costs: waste of time and effort, risks to welfare, money and supplies etc. All institutions that receive federal funds must have one, reviews research conducted w humans. Members fro scientific and nonscientific disciplines, one must be local member of community.
