Psychological Research Methods

1. Ethical Considerations in Psychological Research
   1. Historical Context
      1. Major ethical breaches in psychological research history
         1. Notable studies leading to ethical reforms
      2. Development of ethical standards over time
         1. Evolution of ethics from the 20th century to present
   2. Core Ethical Principles
      1. Informed Consent
         1. Explanation of study aims, methods, and potential impacts
         2. Comprehension and voluntariness as fundamental elements
         3. Special considerations for vulnerable populations
      2. Confidentiality
         1. Methods to protect participant information
         2. Legal requirements and exceptions
         3. Challenges in maintaining confidentiality in digital research
      3. Anonymity
         1. Differences between confidentiality and anonymity
         2. Techniques to ensure anonymity
         3. Implications of anonymity for research integrity
      4. Voluntary Participation
         1. Right to withdraw without penalty
         2. Importance of creating a non-coercive research environment
      5. Deception and Debriefing
         1. Justifications and limitations of using deception
         2. Essential elements of an effective debriefing process
         3. Ethical dilemmas posed by deception
   3. Institutional Review Boards (IRB)
      1. Role and responsibilities of IRBs
      2. Application and review processes
      3. Criteria for IRB approval
      4. Interactions with researchers
   4. Ethical Guidelines and Codes of Conduct
      1. Overview of major ethical guidelines (e.g., APA, BPS)
      2. Specific codes of ethics for different psychological subfields
      3. Cross-cultural and international considerations in ethical guidelines
      4. Enforcement of ethical guidelines and consequences of violations
   5. Ethical Challenges in Modern Research Contexts
      1. Online and digital research
         1. Unique ethical issues posed by online data collection
         2. Privacy concerns with internet-based research
      2. Cross-cultural research ethics
         1. Cultural sensitivity and ethical considerations across different societies
         2. Balancing universal ethical standards with cultural norms
      3. Use of technology and big data
         1. Ethical implications of using AI and machine learning in studies
         2. Data ownership and participant rights concerning large datasets
   6. Continuous Education and Training
      1. Importance of ongoing ethics education for researchers
      2. Tools and resources for staying current with ethical standards
      3. Developing a culture of ethical awareness within research institutions
   7. Special Considerations for Vulnerable Populations
      1. Definition and identification of vulnerable groups
      2. Customized ethical protocols for research involving children, elderly, and individuals with disabilities
      3. Guardianship and surrogate consent in research contexts