Ethics in Research

Learning Activity If you have not done so, please be sure to complete the Unit 2 Learning Activity, as this learning activity is graded and will help prepare you for the assignment. You will earn 10 points once you complete the activity. You must reach the final slide to receive full credit. You will not earn any points if you do not complete the activity. You may attempt the activity as many times as you wish, but no partial credit will be awarded for partial completion. Ethics in Research This assignment covers the American Psychological Association (APA) ethical principles, why they are important, and how they apply to the field of psychology. You will discuss how the principles were not followed in an unethical study that was conducted. You will also consider how to create an informed consent document, on any topic of interest, that applies these ethical principles. Please keep in mind that you will not be conducting a study and that the informed consent form is an opportunity to think of what you would need to let potential participants know, to be ethical, for a study on a topic of interest to you. Assignment Directions Using the Unit 2 Assignment Template, please respond to the following: Part 1 What are the five general ethical principles of the American Psychological Association? List three different reasons why these principles are important. Recall your reading, “A Bitter Pill,” on the Tuskegee Syphilis Study, which is an example of an unethical study that occurred in the past. Describe at least two ethical principles that were not followed by this study. What were the negative consequences that resulted from this study for the participants? What were negative consequences that resulted from this study on a community level? Part 2 As noted in the instructions, you will be applying the APA ethical principles to create a sample informed consent document for a topic of interest to you. Begin by identifying a topic you would be interested in studying and preparing an associated research question and hypothesis. Then, use the template to create an informed consent for a study of your topic, thinking of what information participants would need to know to provide informed consent. This is not an actual study that you will conduct, and you do not need to have anyone sign the consent form. Be sure your consent form includes all of the following: Title of the study and your name as the study investigator. Description of what the study is on and its purpose. Explanation of what the participant will be asked to do for the study, any possible risk or discomfort associated with this study, and any possible benefit from the study. Discussion of what will happen to the information collected in the study, such as the participant’s address, from a confidentiality/privacy perspective: Identify what the participant should do if they have questions during the course of the study and/or if they change their mind about being in the study. Assignment Guidelines The assignment must be written in Standard English and demonstrate superior organization, including a highly developed viewpoint and purpose that is clearly established and sustained. The communication of your thoughts must be highly ordered, logical, and unified, displaying exceptional content, organization, style, and mechanics (including the use of correct grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure). This assignment assesses the following Course Outcomes: PS300-1: Relate the American Psychological Association (APA) code of ethics to the field of psychological research. GEL-1.02: Demonstrate college-level communication through the composition of original materials in Standard English. Submitting Your Assignment Use the Unit 2 Assignment Template. Save your file in a location and with a name that you will remember. When you are ready to submit, select the Unit 2 Assignment Dropbox and upload your file. To view your graded work after your instructor has evaluated it, please visit your Gradebook.