03. Ethics: Making Ethical Decisions in Research

Statistics’ Murky Ethical History

A look back into the historical origins of statistics reveals surprising links to Nazis and eugenics. Check out Aubrey Clayton’s article “How Eugenics Shaped Statistics“ It’s an interesting look at statistics’ historical roots and how it’s tied to modern controversies “It’s no coincidence that the method of significance testing and the reputations of the people […]

Statistics’ Murky Ethical History Read More »

Activity: Mock IRB for Determining the Ethical Conduct of Psychological Research

This activity helps students apply ethical principles from class to a specific research project. Small groups of students serve as a mock Institutional Review Board (IRB) identifying problems and suggesting changes to make the application more ethically sound. Click here for a link to the assignment.

Activity: Mock IRB for Determining the Ethical Conduct of Psychological Research Read More »

Activity: When Does a Joke Go Too Far? Understanding the Ethical Implications of Applying Psychology Within and Beyond the Lab

 This activity helps students engage the ethical issues of vulnerable populations, minimal risk, beneficence, informed consent/minors’ assent. Small groups compare Watson’s Little Albert Experiment with a Pavlovian Prank on the TV show The Office, and a news article regarding hazings/pranks.  Click here for a link to the assignment.

Activity: When Does a Joke Go Too Far? Understanding the Ethical Implications of Applying Psychology Within and Beyond the Lab Read More »

APA Style (7th Edition): Avoiding Several Types of Plagiarism

Students can always use additional information about plagiarism as a refresher. In this handout from the APA, they distinguish between word plagiarism and idea plagiarism, as well as discuss “patchwriting.” (which may be a new concept for students) You can find the handout here.

APA Style (7th Edition): Avoiding Several Types of Plagiarism Read More »

Exemplar Study: Texting to Ostracize (Factorial Design)

This study sought to determine if a woman’s appearance influences perceptions of her ability to perform a job. Undergraduates rated photographs of women as part of a 2 (Career: office assistant vs. CEO ) X 2 (Appearance: professional attire vs. sexual attire) design. Participants rated photos along several dimensions such as grade point average, organizational

Exemplar Study: Texting to Ostracize (Factorial Design) Read More »

Exemplar Study: Social Exclusion and Prosocial Behavior (Multigroup Design)

This article indicated that being excluded from social groups leads todecreases in prosocial behavior. Participants received either no feedback on apersonality measure or one of three types of false feedback that indicated afuture full of rewarding relationships, loneliness, or unfortunate accidents.Participants receiving the social exclusion feedback were unwilling tovolunteer for further lab experiments and, after

Exemplar Study: Social Exclusion and Prosocial Behavior (Multigroup Design) Read More »

Activity: Ethics in Psychological Research

This in-class activity (created by Dr. Jamie S. Hughes) may be used with upper level undergraduates or new graduate students in research methods courses. It is designed for use with small collaborative groups and requires about 50 minutes of class time. Students will apply their knowledge about Belmont principles, APA ethical guidelines, and IRB review.

Activity: Ethics in Psychological Research Read More »