Medium3 marksExtended Response
Psychological problemsResearch MethodsEthics

AQA GCSE · Question 17.3

The researchers wanted to use the real-life stories they had collected to encourage other people. The participants' answers were made available on the internet for anyone to read.

Identify one ethical issue that the researchers carrying out the questionnaire needed to consider.

Describe how the 'One day at a time' researchers could have dealt with the ethical issue you have identified.

How to approach this question

1. Think about the BPS ethical guidelines (e.g., informed consent, confidentiality, protection from harm, right to withdraw). 2. Consider the specific details of this study: it involves sensitive information (mental health) and public dissemination of data (on the internet). 3. Choose the most relevant ethical issue. Confidentiality is a very strong candidate. 4. Describe how to manage this issue. Think about practical steps a researcher would take, such as removing names (anonymising data) and being transparent with participants from the outset.

Full Answer

When conducting research, especially on sensitive topics like mental health, ethical considerations are paramount. - **Confidentiality** is a key issue. It means that any information that could identify a participant must be protected and not be made public. In this study, publishing answers on the internet creates a high risk of breaching confidentiality. - To deal with this, researchers must ensure **anonymity**. This involves removing all identifying details (names, addresses, workplaces, etc.) from the data before it is shared. - Furthermore, **informed consent** is crucial. Participants must be told exactly what will happen to their data (including that it will be published online) so they can make an informed decision about whether to take part. They must also be reminded of their **right to withdraw** their data at any point.

Common mistakes

Identifying an ethical issue but providing a generic description of how to deal with it, without linking it specifically to the context of publishing stories online.

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