Post one L.S.
Hello all,
This week we discuss a specific section of the American Psychological Ethical Principles of Psychologists Code of Conduct. For this assignment, I will be referencing the fourth section titled Privacy and Confidentiality. In research, it is one of the utmost important factors, if not the most important factor to keep the details of the participants information private. Often times, not all information that is gathered during a study or experiment is released and that include private information from those who were involved in the study. The contracts are very detailed especially in the area of confidentiality to make sure that everyone is on the same page and feels comfortable moving forward. An example would be a release of participants information of any kind without consent from that individual. Any documents, medical records, results, conversations, etc. that were supposed to be confidential from the clients and then were released, leaked, lost, etc. would fall into this category of violating privacy, confidentiality, and HIPPA. In 4.05 titled disclosures of this section, it states in subsections “a” and “b” about abiding by the law, authorized personnel only can handle concealed information, getting consent from the client/patient, and about protecting the client/patient. These are some of the most important job duties of the researchers to adhere to. It is important for the researchers to clearly state in their contracts what is permitted, what their intentions are, and what they are doing to protect their client’s privacy. On the other hand, it is also just as important for the agreed upon participants to review the contract thoroughly and ask questions that they feel that they need answers to.
Post 2 B.P.
This week, we look at the APA Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct and focused more on the sections that weigh in on the potential harm or misuse of research findings. While one completes research it is always a priority to do good, avoid error, and respect the privacy of participants. However, how much do we look at the finish product of a research? How much do we investigate the complete data and ask if all is true and valid? Does it hold any truth? Was the information the participants gave misused or even to the matter, was the information on the published work even from the participants? When we look at Section 8.10 (Placeholder1), Reporting research results, it states that psychologists do not fabricate data and if one discovers significant errors in their published data, they take the reasonable steps to correct such errors in a correction, retraction, erratum, or other appropriate publication means.
When information is not used appropriately, or it is completely fabricated it is in fact a misuse of research findings as the data is not correctly displayed. Our reading this week gives a simple example in regards of misuse of information. It was stated that “if you are studying eating habits of accountants and reported that accountants who regularly eat lunch are less productive, this could have a negative impact on employer decisions. As reasonable researchers, one would be unlikely to conclude that employees should forfeit their lunch for productivity, but employers without a research methods background might not be as savvy.” Or if you took the thought of studying the effects of Adderall in children and you relay data stating that Adderall has no side effects to include eating habits and a children showed no signs of increased eating but in fact the medication has the exact side effect of appetite decrease and the child went a full week only eating one meal when they normally eat 3-4 small meals a day; however, to make your work more “appalling” to some, you fabricated the information. This in fact gets out to the community, parents start to administer the medication after it being prescribed by a doctor and now concerned why their child has lost weight, not eating, and constantly sick when they do eat. This did not just harm the participants that were in the study but also triggered a ripple effect on the community.
If one upholds the standards and follows the ethical codes, once the information and data was discovered, they will hold the duty to report the misuse and errors in publication. Ethical codes are set in place to protect the participant; therefore, we should have the duty to do right and protect the livelihood of participants.
References
Ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct (January 2017). Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/ethics/code/
Post three R.A.
Hello Professor and Classmates,
In this discussion, you will examine one of APA’s general principles or one section of the Code of Conduct.
One ethical principle/section 4 that I find to be an important aspect of providing counseling, therapy, or service that involves another persons personal information is Privacy and Confidentiality or Maintaining Confidentiality.
Explain the impact of the principle or code on research participants or the misuse of research findings in the public. Please include an explanation of the ethical principal and why it is important for researchers to uphold ethical principles.
As a professional and especially a licensed professional, there are several reasons to maintain confidentiality. As a professional working in a public service population, we must allow our clients and participants to trust us and feel secure with us when we are providing services to them. If the participants do not feel safe speaking with us, the service is pointless and that can be a reflection on us or the provider. Confidentiality also allows us to build rapport with our clients and participants because they feel safe speaking to us. Additionally, if the client feels as if their confidentiality has been broken or misused, the professional or licensed professional could endure legal consequences or license revocation. American Psychological Association (2017) states that psychologists have a primary obligation and take reasonable precautions to protect confidential information obtained through or stored in any medium, recognizing that the extent and limits of confidentiality may be regulated by law or established by institutional rules or professional or scientific relationship.
Provide at least one example (either from the literature or generate one yourself) of how the misuse or absence of the principle/code could negatively impact participants or the public.
As an example, most employees provide private and personal information during the application and hiring process for any position. The data might include debit card information, social security numbers, educational and employment history. Employers are prohibited from disclosing the personal information of their employees without consent and prior authorization. If employers fail to keep this information confidential, it may constitute a breach of confidentiality and that business or organization is in trouble.
References
American Psychological Association. (2017). Ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct (2002, amended effective June 1, 2010, and January 1, 2017). http://www.apa.org/ethics/code/index.html