Psychology Research Methods, Ethics, and Guidelines Report

This report provides a comprehensive overview of ethical considerations and research methodologies within the field of psychology. It begins by highlighting the importance of ethical guidelines in research, emphasizing the role of the British Psychological Society. The report then explores various research methods, including laboratory and field experiments, and discusses the GRAVE model (Generalizability, Reliability, Application, Viability, and Ethics) as a framework for conducting sound research. Furthermore, the report delves into specific ethical guidelines, such as those related to intellectual property, participant roles, animal protection, confidentiality, and privacy. The conclusion underscores the significance of adhering to ethical principles and policies established by governing bodies to ensure responsible and reliable psychological research.

Running head: ETHICS IN PSYCHOLOGY
Methods and Ethics in Psychology
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Introduction
While carrying out research practices, it is necessary to keep a keen eye that the
research is being conducted within proper guidelines and no harm to the participants and the
environment is contributed. Following certain guidelines and maintaining precautions while
doing so, is termed as ethics and performing research in such a method is called as ethical
working. In Great Britain, the British Psychological Society maintains such ethical
guidelines. The main priority of forming such guideline is to protect the reputation of the
Psycological society in Britain.
Range of Research Methods in Psychology
The range of research in the field of psychology usually focuses on the behavior of
organisms more broadly. However, the behaviors can be related to abnormal psychology, acts
of health science psychology, cognitive psychology, psychology related to comparative
studies and social psychology.
Moreover, there stand the methods for research based on which the lab or the field
experiments in psychology are performed. The research methods followed while performing
lab research are controlled environment with the proper and exact measurement of the
required materials and with reasonable objectives. Moreover, in the case of laboratory
experiments processes are standardised. On the other hand, field experiments take place
regularly for a certain period with an artificial setup. However, the field experiments deal
with real life subjects in consideration, and several manipulations do prevail in such cases
(Smith., 2015).

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Research Methods used in Psychology
The researches in the field of psychology can begin with studies regarding cases,
certain behavioral surveys and observations based on laboratory and naturalistic experiments.
However, a GRAVE model of generalizability, reliability, application, viability and ethic can
be set down to start research in the field of psychology (Reavey., 2012).
Generalisability defines that the sample selected for the study out of a population of a
community represents the community at its true values.
Reliability shows that the methods undertaken for the completion of the research are
consistent enough and can be considered again to replicate the experiment.
Applications show the practical and real world usage of the research that is being
performed. Upon doing so, it shows that the research can be replicated and can be reviewed
by anyone following the procedures.
The validity of research shows the relevance of the research with the data collected
for its evaluation and thus proves that the research done so is a genuine one.
Finally, ethics ensures the wellbeing of all the participants associated with the
research.
Ethical Guidelines in Psychological Research
Ethical guidelines are formed to state certain factors which the field of research
demands. The ethical working ensures; open-minded discussion regarding intellectual
property, keeping individuals conscious about their roles and their colleagues, following
norms while performing research such as animal protection acts and other acts to prevent
environment.

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In addition, it also ensures confidentiality, professional working and privacy during
the research until it is published and holds certain ethical resources to proofread, that the
processes had been performed ethically without violating any norms and policies
(Wasserman., 2013).

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Conclusion
Therefore, the article concludes the possible range of researches in the field of
psychology and also how they can be managed properly with the help of GRAVE theory.
In addition, the article focuses on the ethical guidelines one can put efforts on to
maintain and work by the policies of the governing bodies.

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References
Reavey, P. ed., 2012. Visual methods in psychology: Using and interpreting images in
qualitative research. Routledge.
Smith, J.A. ed., 2015. Qualitative psychology: A practical guide to research methods. Sage.
Wasserman, R., 2013. Ethical issues and guidelines for conducting data analysis in
psychological research. Ethics & behavior, 23(1), pp.3-15.