Raymond Martin

rmartin@utech.edu.jm

What is Ethics?

From the Greek word ethos which means habitual or customary conduct

Used interchangeably with morality

How we determine right from wrong

How to rightly use research techniques

Who decides what is ethical?

Religion?

Society?

Personal Choice?

Philosophical and Theological Basis

Theology – Based on religious tradition and sacred texts

Philosophy – Ethics defined independent of religious faith

Both concerned with how to proceed in moral and acceptable ways.

Code of Ethics?

The American Psychological Association has formulated an Ethics Code

American Sociological Association

UTECH has an ethics committee

Ethics in Research

There are three broad areas of ethical concern in scientific research:

The ethics of data collection and analysis

The ethics of responsibility to society

The ethics of treatment of participants

Ethics of data collection and analysis

Scientists must be honest in their observations and analyses

Must be willing to admit error

Must place the pursuit of knowledge above personal gain or the promotion of a particular philosophy

Relationship between Science and Society

Scientists should promote use of research to benefit society

Scientists should speak out against destructive application

Treatment of Human Subjects?

Subjects should be treated with respect and protected from harm

Ethics CodeProtection from Harm

Protection of participants from harm• injury, embarrassment, stress

Participants should be advised of any discomfort before the study

Sign consent document

Ethics CodeProtection from Harm

Can you always predict harm?

What about weighing potential harm against the benefits?

APA Ethics CodeInformed Consent

Participants should be told the nature of the study

Choice to participate or not participate - voluntary

Informing may affect study Debriefing important

APA Ethics CodeRight to Privacy

Researcher should respect participants right to privacy

Any information collected on participant should be kept strictly confidential

Pseudonym used if behaviour described in report

APA Ethics CodePlagiarism

What is it?

APA Ethics CodePlagiarism

Intellectual property rights