A Level Psychology OCR Practice Exam

What ethical consideration was taken into account in Chaney et al (2004)?

1. Participants remained anonymous

2. Informed consent was obtained from parents

3. No contact with participants after the study

4. Payment provided for participation

The correct answer is: Informed consent was obtained from parents

In Chaney et al. (2004), obtaining informed consent from parents was a critical ethical consideration, particularly because the study involved children as participants. Informed consent ensures that participants (or their guardians, in the case of minors) are fully aware of the nature of the research, any potential risks involved, and their right to withdraw at any time. By obtaining consent from parents, the researchers respected the autonomy and rights of the child's guardians, providing them with the necessary information to make an informed decision about their child's participation. This is particularly important in psychological research, where the wellbeing of vulnerable populations, such as children, must be safeguarded. While other ethical considerations, such as maintaining anonymity or providing compensation, are important in research ethics, the specific context of Chaney et al. highlighted the critical nature of parental consent.