The Role of Ethics in Child Developmental Psychology Research
Discussion: Research and Ethics in Psychology
Developmental psychology attempts to understand cognitive, physical, and social-emotional development throughout the lifespan. In order to understand, for example, how maternal stress during pregnancy might impact the child later in life, pregnant women and children could be studied. Vulnerable populations, such as pregnant women, newborns, children, cognitively impaired individuals, incarcerated individuals, or older adults, require additional consideration and protection when planning to conduct research with them.
When conducting research in the field of human development, particularly with vulnerable populations, it is important to keep in mind that a unique set of ethical considerations should be taken into account. These populations need extra care to ensure their rights because some individuals may lack the mental capacity to give informed consent, may have decreased free will, or may be vulnerable in terms of their physical or mental welfare. As you approach this Discussion, keep in mind how ethical considerations might have affected the type of research that could be conducted.
For this Discussion, you will examine the role of ethics in developmental psychology research as it relates to vulnerable populations.
To prepare for this Discussion:
- Review the example of a Discussion post and response found in this week’s Learning Resources as well as the Discussion Rubric to understand the Discussion’s expectations.
- Review the Learning Resources related to ethics and research in the field of developmental psychology
- Choose a population from the following:
- Children
- Women who are pregnant
- Geriatric individuals
- Individuals with cognitive disabilities
- Adolescents
By Day 4
Based on the population you selected, post an explanation of the role of ethics in developmental psychology research with attention to the characteristics of this vulnerable population. Be specific in your post and use the Learning Resources to support your pos
- . Use proper APA format and citations to support your explanation, zero plagiarizing, quote work, no.com‘s
Required Readings
Berk, L. E. (2018). Development through the lifespan (7th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education.
- Chapter 1, “History, Theory, and Research Strategies” (beginning of chapter to “Scientific Beginnings”; and “Studying Development” to end of chapter)
American Psychological Association (2010b). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (6th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.
- “Ethical and Legal Standards in Publishing” (p. 11)
- “Ensuring the Accuracy of Scientific Knowledge” (pp. 12–16)
- “Protecting the Rights and Welfare of Research Participants” (pp. 16–18)
Fisher, C. B., & Vacanti-Shova, K. (2012). The responsible conduct of psychological research: An overview of ethical principles, APA Ethics Code standards, and federal regulations. In S. J. Knapp, M. C. Gottlieb, M. M. Handelsman, L. D. VandeCreek, S. J. Knapp, M. C. Gottlieb, … L. D. VandeCreek (Eds.), APA handbook of ethics in psychology, Vol 2: Practice, teaching, and research (pp. 335–369). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.
Pinker, S. (2004). Why nature and nurture won’t go away. Daedalus, 133(4), 5–17.
Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.
Meyer, D., Wood, S., & Stanley, B. (2013). Nurture is nature: Integrating brain development, systems theory, and attachment theory. The Family Journal, 21(2), 162–169. doi:10.1177/1066480712466808
Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.
Vaillancourt, T., Hymel, S., & McDougall, P. (2013). The biological underpinnings of peer victimization: Understanding why and how the effects of bullying can last a lifetime. Theory Into Practice, 52(4), 241–248. doi:10.1080/00405841.2013.
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Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.
Document: Final Project Assignment Overview document (PDF)
Document: Example of Discussion Post and Response (PDF)
American Psychological Association. (2016b). Developmental psychology. Retrieved from http://www.apa.org/about/
division/div7.aspx
American Psychological Association. (2010a). Ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct with the 2010 amendments. Retrieved from http://www.apa.org/ethics/
code/index.aspx
As you review this website, focus your reading on the Introduction and Applicability section, the Preamble section, and the General Principles section.
Society for Research in Child Development. (2012a). Retrieved from http://www.srcd.org/
Society for Research in Child Development. (2012b). Ethical standards in research. Retrieved from http://www.srcd.org/about-us/
ethical-standards-res…
Walden Writing Center. (2015). Retrieved from http://academicguides.waldenu.
edu/writingcenter/ho…
Required Media
Harris, N. B. (Producer). (2014). How childhood trauma affects health across a lifetime [Video file]. Retrieved August 26, 2016, from http://www.ted.com/talks/
nadine_burke_harris_how_c…
Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 16 minutes.
Answer preview
Developmental psychology is the scientific study of the gradual change of human beings throughout their lifetimes. Researchers carry out various studies on vulnerable populations such as children to understand the multiple shifts in behaviors, values, and attitudes as they age. However, there are specific ethical considerations these researchers have to observe while conducting the studies. Some of the ethical issues in research on children are matters about assent, anonymity, and consent. Ethics play a critical role in developmental psychology research on children shaping its scope…
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