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CHAPTER 3: Ethical Issues in the Conduct of Psychological Research 85With careful consideration of these factors, a “correct” decision to proceed withthe proposed research is based on a diligent review of the research and ethicalissues, and not simply on what might make the researcher or other individuals“happy.”Authors of manuscripts submitted to an APA journal must submit formsstating their compliance with ethical standards (see Publication Manual of theAmerican Psychological Association, APA, 2010). These forms can be found inthe Publication Manual (pp. 233–235), as well as on the APA journal Web page(http://www.apa.org/pubs/journals). Of course, a consideration of ethicalissues should be made before initiating a research project, during the researchprocess itself as problems arise (e.g., participants’ unanticipated reactions), andin preparation for discussion with editors and reviewers of the journal selectedfor submission of the manuscript. To help ensure ethical compliance throughoutthe research process, APA has published an Ethical Compliance Checklist(see Publication Manual, p. 20). The Checklist covers many of the ethical issuesdiscussed in this chapter, including institutional review, informed consent,treatment of animal subjects (if applicable), proper citation of other publishedwork, and order of authorship. Remember: Careful review of these issues andothers described in the APA compliance forms should be made prior to beginningyour research.SUMMARYPsychological research raises many ethical questions. Thus, before beginninga research project, you must consider both the specific ethical issues from theAPA Ethics Code and the laws and regulations that are relevant to your project.In most cases formal institutional approval—for example, from an IRB orIACUC—must be obtained before beginning to do research. One function ofan IRB is to reach a consensus regarding the risk/benefit ratio of the proposedresearch. Risk can involve physical, psychological, or social injury. Informedconsent must be obtained from human participants in most psychologicalresearch. Researchers must take special safeguards to protect human participantswhen more than minimal risk is present and to provide appropriatedebriefing following their participation. Serious ethical questions arise whenresearchers withhold information from participants or misinform them aboutthe nature of the research. When deception is used, debriefing should informparticipants about the reasons for having used deception. Debriefing can alsohelp participants feel more fully involved in the research situation as well ashelp the researcher learn how the participants perceived the treatment or task.Online research presents new ethical dilemmas for a researcher, and consultationwith IRB members, as well as researchers experienced with Internet datacollection, is urged prior to planning such a study.Psychologists who test animal subjects must obey a variety of federal andstate guidelines and, in general, must protect the welfare of the animals. Animalsmay be subjected to pain or discomfort only when alternative proceduresare not available and when the goals of the research are judged to justifysuch procedures in terms of the scientific, educational, or applied value of the