Ethical Mandates and Codes of Conduct During Research in the Psychological Field

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Published: Mar 25, 2020
DOI: https://doi.org/10.12681/ethiki.22650
Keywords:
Ethics; Codes of Conduct; Informed Consent; Psychometrics; Confidentiality; Deception; Animal Research; Applied Psychology
Alexandros-Stamatios Antoniou
Abstract

This article examines the ethical principles and codes of conduct governing psychological research, primarily derived from the American Psychological Association (APA) standards. It provides a comprehensive analysis of the investigator's responsibilities, focusing on the informed consent of participants, the ethical use of "deception" in experimental designs, and the rigorous standards required for the construction, standardization, and application of psychometric tools. The author explores critical issues such as the protection of participant confidentiality, the appropriate interpretation of data considering cultural and linguistic differences, and the ethical publication of research findings, including the prevention of plagiarism and data falsification. Furthermore, the study addresses the sensitive topic of the ethical treatment and use of animals in psychological experimentation. The article concludes that while international codes provide a necessary framework, the ultimate safeguard for the integrity of psychology as a humanistic science rests upon the personal ethical principles of the individual scientist.

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