Critique: Ethical Considerations in Depression Treatment Research

This discussion post critically evaluates a research proposal focused on comparing the effectiveness of drug therapy and psychological therapy in treating depression, assessing its adherence to the ethical criteria established by the American Psychological Association (APA) and the British Psychological Society (BPS). The analysis identifies areas where the proposal meets ethical standards, such as maintaining scientific integrity and social responsibility, while also highlighting shortcomings, including the lack of detailed procedures for obtaining informed consent and the absence of a prior assessment of potential risks to participants. The post suggests modifications to ensure compliance with ethical guidelines, emphasizing the importance of providing participants with comprehensive information, documenting consent, ensuring confidentiality, and avoiding conflicts of interest. It concludes that the original research proposal did not fully align with the imperative ethical standards for psychological research, underscoring the need for improvements to protect the rights and well-being of human subjects.

Running head: DISCUSSION
Initial Response
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1DISCUSSION
The aim of the researchers in the first proposal was to determine the effectiveness of
interpersonal psychotherapy and cognitive behavior therapy in the management of depressive
symptoms, in comparison to antidepressant drug therapy (imipramine hydrochloride). The
researchers have proposed recruiting 80 adult participants suffering from depressive disorder,
from a psychiatric outpatient service. This will be followed by randomization of the
participants to one of the following groups namely, cognitive behavior therapy, interpersonal
therapy, drug therapy, and or placebo. The researchers were able to maintain scientific
integrity of the research (2.2) and social responsibility towards the human society, by
determining the most effective treatment for depression (2.3) (British Psychological Society,
2014).
The researchers also proposed the study in a way that would maximize the benefits
towards the patients, while minimizing the harm (2.4). They proposed the research within the
boundaries of their competence (2.01) and were also not found to engage in any unfair human
relations such as, discrimination (3.01) (American Psychological Association, 2017). As per
the principle 2.1 respecting autonomy and privacy of the subjects is imperative in
psychological research, besides upholding their dignity (British Psychological Society, 2014).
Additionally, the proposal did not elaborate on the ways that would be adopted for
obtaining valid consent from the participants, prior to subjecting them to the interventions, as
stated mandatory by both the guidelines. Further drawbacks in the proposal can be associated
with the fact that the researchers failed to conduct a prior assessment of the potential risks
that the subjects might be exposed on, following the therapies. No definite statements were
also present on giving the prospective 80 participants adequate information about the research
via an understandable fact sheet.

2DISCUSSION
In order to ensure the researchers demonstrate compliance with the formulated ethical
standards, it is essential for them to take credit for activities that they have considerably
donated and that periodical recognition should precisely reflect the comparative contributions
of the investigators. They should also consider multiple roles such as, recruitment of
participants from an organization they are a part of (American Psychological Association,
2017). Following shortlisting of the candidates, hey must be provided with a research form
that contains adequate information on the research purpose, duration, procedures, and
provides the subjects the right to refuse intervention and withdraw at any point of time
(British Psychological Society, 2014).
Details of risks related with the participation, planned debriefing, availability of
results to the participants, and compensation for inconvenience and time should also be
discussed. Consent documenting also forms an essential part of the research that should be
conducted through either verbal, hard copy or electronic means. Taking efforts not to coerce
the participants, and ensuring confidentiality of the collected data, else settled in advance,
should also be taken into consideration by the researchers for showing obedience to the
ethical guidelines (British Psychological Society, 2014). Additionally, the researchers should
not engage in any form of sexual intimacy with their clients (10.05) and should also take
reasonable efforts for delivering an appropriate and orderly resolution of their responsibility
(10.09) (American Psychological Association, 2017). Thus, it can be stated that the research
proposal on comparing effectiveness of drug therapy and psychological therapy for
depression treatment was not in accordance to the standards of ethics that are imperative for
psychological research.

3DISCUSSION
References
American Psychological Association. (2017). Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code
of Conduct. Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/ethics/code/index.aspx.
British Psychological Society. (2014). Code of Human Research Ethics. Retrieved from
https://www1.bps.org.uk/system/files/Public%20files/inf180_web.pdf.