APA (American Psychological Association)
Ethical Guidelines
for Research
with Human Subjects
The decision to undertake research rests upon a considered judgment by the
individual psychologist about how best to contribute to psychological science
and human welfare. Having made the decision to conduct research, the
psychologist considers alternative directions in which research energies and
resources might be invested. On the basis of this consideration, the
psychologist carries out the investigation with respect and concern for the
dignity and welfare of the people who participate and with cognizance of federal
and state regulations and professional standards governing the conduct of
research with human participants.
- In planning a study, the investigator has the responsibility to
make a careful evaluation of its ethical acceptability. To the extent that the
weighing of scientific and human values suggests a compromise of any
principle, the investigator incurs a correspondingly serious obligation to
seek ethical advice and to observe stringent safeguards to protect the rights
of human participants.
- Considering whether a participant in a planned study will be a subject at
risk or a subject at minimal risk, according to recognized standards, is of
primary ethical concern to the investigator.
- The investigator always retains the responsibility for ensuring ethical
practice in research. The investigator is also responsible for the ethical
treatment of research participants by collaborators, assistants, students, and
employees, all of whom, however, incur similar obligations.
- Except in minimal-risk research, the investigator establishes a clear and
fair agreement with research participants, prior to their participation, that
clarifies the obligations and responsibilities of each. The investigator has
the obligation to honor all promises and commitments included in that
agreement. The investigator informs the participants of all aspects of the
research that might reasonably be expected to influence willingness to
participate and explains all other aspects of the research about which the
participants inquire. Failure to make full disclosure prior to obtaining
informed consent requires additional safeguards to protect the welfare and
dignity of the research participants. Research with children or with
participants who have impairments that would limit understanding and/or
communication requires special safeguarding procedures.
- Methodological requirements of a study may make the use of concealment or
deception necessary. Before conducting such a study, the investigator has a
special responsibility to (1) determine whether the use of such techniques is
justified by the study's prospective scientific, educational, or applied
value; (2) determine whether alternative procedures are available that do not
use concealment or deception; and (3) ensure that the participants are
provided with sufficient explanation as soon as possible.
- The investigator respects the individual's freedom to decline to
participate in or to withdraw from the research at any time. The obligation to
protect this freedom requires careful thought and consideration when the
investigator is in a position of authority or influence over the participant.
Such positions of authority include, but are not limited to, situations in
which research participation is required as part of employment or in which the
participant is a student, client, or employee of the investigator.
- The investigator protects the participant from physical and mental
discomfort, harm, and danger that may arise from research procedures. If risks
of such consequences exist, the investigator informs the participant of that
fact. Research procedures likely to cause serious or lasting harm to a
participant are not used unless the failure to use these procedures might
expose the participant to risk of greater harm or unless the research has
great potential benefit and fully informed and voluntary consent is obtained
from each participant. The participant should be informed of procedures for
contacting the investigator within a reasonable time period following
participation should stress, potential harm, or related questions or concerns
arise.
- After the data are collected, the investigator provides the participant
with information about the nature of the study and attempts to remove any
misconceptions that may have arisen. Where scientific or humane values justify
delaying or withholding this information, the investigator incurs a special
responsibility to monitor the research and to ensure that there are no
damaging consequences for the participant.
- Where research procedures result in undesirable consequences for the
individual participant, the investigator has the responsibility to detect and
remove or correct these consequences, including long-term effects.
- Information obtained about a research participant during the course of an
investigation is confidential unless otherwise agreed upon in advance. When
the possibility exists that others may obtain access to such information, this
possibility, together with the plans for protecting confidentiality, is
explained to the participant as part of the procedure for obtaining informed
consent.
Copyright 1981 by the American Psychological Association. Reprinted by
permission.
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Michael L. Raulin, Ph.D.
(716) 645-3697
Psychology
Department
SUNY at Buffalo
Buffalo, NY 14260-4110
raulin@acsu.buffalo.edu
Copyright © 1996, Mike Raulin
Revised: December 15, 1996
URL: http://www.buffalo.edu/~raulin/apaethic.html
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