Codification Of Research Ethics: Views Of A Doubting Thomas

Critically examines the current code of ethical standards for research in psychology. It is argued that the effects of research procedures which violate the code have not been empirically tested, and that to establish the code without empirical justification is a dubious procedure. The codification further forecloses on vital questions of ethical pluralism; complex issues are veiled by pat principles. In place of ethical codes, a set of empirically-based advisory statements is needed concerning the likely consequences, both for Ss and the profession, of various research strategies. The codification of ethics also establishes research parameters from the standpoint of the S population, and thus obscures interpretation of experimental results. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved