Standard 8: Research and Publication (American
Psychological Association)
8.01 Institutional Approval
When institutional approval is required, psychologists provide accurate
information about their research proposals and obtain approval prior to conducting
the research. They conduct the research in accordance with the approved
research protocol.
8.02 Informed Consent to Research
(a) When obtaining informed consent as required in
Standard 3.10, Informed Consent, psychologists inform participants about (1)
the purpose of the research, expected duration and procedures; (2) their right
to decline to participate and to withdraw from the research once participation
has begun; (3) the foreseeable consequences of declining or withdrawing; (4)
reasonably foreseeable factors that may be expected to influence their
willingness to participate such as potential risks, discomfort or adverse
effects; (5) any prospective research benefits; (6) limits of confidentiality;
(7) incentives for participation; and (8) whom to contact for questions about
the research and research participants' rights. They provide opportunity for
the prospective participants to ask questions and receive answers. (See also
Standards 8.03, Informed Consent for Recording
Voices and Images in Research; 8.05, Dispensing with Informed Consent
for Research; and 8.07, Deception in Research.)
(b) Psychologists conducting intervention research
involving the use of experimental treatments clarify to participants at the
outset of the research (1) the experimental nature of the treatment; (2) the
services that will or will not be available to the control group(s) if
appropriate; (3) the means by which assignment to treatment and control groups
will be made; (4) available treatment alternatives if an individual does not
wish to participate in the research or wishes to withdraw once a study has
begun; and (5) compensation for or monetary costs of participating including,
if appropriate, whether reimbursement from the participant or a third-party
payor will be sought. (See also Standard 8.02a, Informed Consent to Research.)
8.03 Informed Consent for Recording Voices and
Images in Research
Psychologists obtain informed consent from research participants prior to
recording their voices or images for data collection unless (1) the research
consists solely of naturalistic observations in public places, and it is not
anticipated that the recording will be used in a manner that could cause
personal identification or harm, or (2) the research design includes deception,
and consent for the use of the recording is obtained during debriefing. (See
also Standard 8.07, Deception in Research.)
8.04 Client/Patient, Student, and Subordinate
Research Participants
(a) When psychologists conduct research with clients/patients,
students or subordinates as participants, psychologists take steps to protect
the prospective participants from adverse consequences of declining or
withdrawing from participation.
(b) When research participation is a course
requirement or an opportunity for extra credit, the prospective participant is
given the choice of equitable alternative activities.
8.05 Dispensing with Informed Consent for Research
Psychologists may dispense with informed consent only (1) where research would
not reasonably be assumed to create distress or harm and involves (a) the study
of normal educational practices, curricula, or classroom management methods
conducted in educational settings; (b) only anonymous questionnaires,
naturalistic observations or archival research for which disclosure of
responses would not place participants at risk of criminal or civil liability
or damage their financial standing, employability or reputation, and
confidentiality is protected; or (c) the study of factors related to job or
organization effectiveness conducted in organizational settings for which there
is no risk to participants' employability, and confidentiality is protected or
(2) where otherwise permitted by law or federal or institutional regulations.
8.06 Offering Inducements for Research
Participation
(a) Psychologists make reasonable efforts to avoid offering
excessive or inappropriate financial or other inducements for research
participation when such inducements are likely to coerce participation.
(b) When offering professional services as an
inducement for research participation, psychologists clarify the nature of the
services, as well as the risks, obligations and limitations. (See also Standard
6.05, Barter with
Clients/Patients.)
8.07 Deception in Research
(a) Psychologists do not conduct a study involving deception
unless they have determined that the use of deceptive techniques is justified
by the study's significant prospective scientific, educational or applied value
and that effective nondeceptive alternative procedures are not feasible.
(b) Psychologists do not deceive prospective
participants about research that is reasonably expected to cause physical pain
or severe emotional distress.
(c) Psychologists explain any deception that is an
integral feature of the design and conduct of an experiment to participants as
early as is feasible, preferably at the conclusion of their participation, but
no later than at the conclusion of the data collection, and permit participants
to withdraw their data. (See also Standard 8.08, Debriefing.)
8.08 Debriefing
(a) Psychologists provide a prompt opportunity for
participants to obtain appropriate information about the nature, results, and
conclusions of the research, and they take reasonable steps to correct any
misconceptions that participants may have of which the psychologists are aware.
(b) If scientific or humane values justify delaying
or withholding this information, psychologists take reasonable measures to
reduce the risk of harm.
(c) When psychologists become aware that research
procedures have harmed a participant, they take reasonable steps to minimize
the harm.
8.09 Humane Care and Use of Animals in Research
(a) Psychologists acquire, care for, use, and dispose of
animals in compliance with current federal, state and local laws and
regulations, and with professional standards.
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