Study Ethical issues in human research in the Pearson Edexcel A Level Psychology specification, with the knowledge and exam application needed for accurate mark-scheme responses.
Mariana is planning to investigate the experiences of patients with mental health issues during inpatient stays at a mental health hospital. She plans to use a covert observational research method.
Explain one ethical issue Mariana may need to consider when conducting her covert observation in the mental health hospital.
AO1 (1 mark), AO2 (1 mark), AO3 (1 mark)
Credit one mark for accurate identification of ethical issue (AO1)
Credit one mark for accurate use of ethical issue in relation to the
scenario (AO2)
Credit one mark for accurate exemplification of ethical issue (AO3)
For example;
- One ethical issue would be protecting participants from harm (1).
Mariana will be observing individuals with mental health issues as
they may be more vulnerable than other individuals (1) so she
should be prepared to prioritise the inpatient's wellbeing over her
research and stop her observation to protect her participants (1).
Look for other reasonable marking points.
Answers must relate to the scenario.
(3)