8.1 Ethics for research with human participants
The researchers follow the principles set out by the British Psychological Society (BPS) in relation to research involving human participants. This ensures protection for the participant and researcher. Wherever possible, larger evaluations are also reviewed by the Psychology Research Ethics Committee at City, University of London to ensure the BPS principles are adhered to.
The key principles of conducting research with human participants include: informed consent and voluntary participation, right to withdraw, protection from psychological distress, avoidance of deception, and full debriefing.
Informed consent and voluntary participation. Participants in all research work are invited to take part on a voluntary basis. Therefore they are given sufficient information to make an informed decision as to whether they wish to take part in the full study. Information is provided ahead of any data collection that informs the participant of the study aims, what they can expect to be asked to do, how their data will be handled, who to contact in the event of wanting to withdraw data, make a complaint, or ask further questions, and how long they will be involved in the study for. An information sheet can also be signed as evidence of consent to take part, in which case one copy is kept by the participant, and a duplicate copy kept by KFRS. For studies conducted online or by telephone, an electronic equivalent or verbal consent is obtained.
Consent is always sought from the participant if they are able to make an informed choice by themselves. In the case of reduced cognitive capacity, a language barrier, or for child participants younger than 18 years old, consent may, where appropriate, be given by a competent third party gatekeeper on behalf of the participant (such as primary carer, parent, teacher, or employer) – see further information below.
Right to withdraw
The information provided is made clear to participants that they have the right to withdraw from the study without repercussion. This can be during data collection, or to have their data withdrawn up to the point that it is still possible to identify their data. It is made clear to participants at which point it is no longer possible for this to happen so that they are aware of their right at the point of consent.
Protection from psychological distress
Guidance states that participants can be asked about sensitive topics, provided they are offered necessary support should any discomfort arise. This should be no more stressful than any day-to-day conversation on the topic. Researchers are mindful of the potential impact of sensitive topics and direct participants to support services in debrief at the end of the study. This can also be mitigated through careful consideration during the PIA.
Avoidance of deception
It is known that participants in research studies can be influenced to answer in certain ways. This might be by trying to please the researcher and answer how they think the researcher wants them to (known as demand characteristics), or by responding in ways that they perceive to be socially acceptable (known as social desirability bias). With this in mind, it is sometimes necessary for researchers to withhold the genuine nature of the study, or to not explain what they are expecting the results to show. This is an acceptable form of withholding information from the participant. However, it is not acceptable ethically to overtly deceive the participant. An example might be deliberately not telling the participant what their involvement in the study would entail to avoid attrition, or purposefully giving the participant false information without fully mitigating any unintended negative consequences through thorough debrief.
Debriefing
A clear and easy to follow debrief is vital for participants to completely understand the nature of the research they have just taken part in. It allows the researcher to explain the aims of the research in full, including expected findings, without detriment to the study/results. It also provides a space to signpost the participant to any additional support services that may be of use to them following the study. The debrief also closes the loop on informed consent, at which point the participant is fully aware of the study aims and can then decide whether they are completely happy for their data to be included in analysis and write-up. The debrief is often a written document that can be handed or sent electronically to the participant, but in cases where this is not possible, can be delivered verbally to the participant by the researcher.
Research with children and young adults aged under 18 years
Additional consideration should be given when evaluating the programmes aimed at under 18 year olds. As detailed above, when conducting research with participants under 18 years of age, an additional layer of consent may be required. Teachers and carers can act in loco parentis. Consent could also be sought from the primary caregivers in advance of any data collection (such as through an informed consent form signed and returned to the school) if the intervention activity requires additional safeguarding. However, it is still essential to check with the participant themselves that they are happy to take part in the study and understand what is being asked of them, regardless of age. For research in schools, it will also be necessary for the Head teacher to agree that the evaluation can take place in their school.