Ethical Principles for Psychological Research
| Post date: 2025/09/7 |
As part of its commitment to research integrity, the Journal of Health Research in Community—affiliated with Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences—adheres to the American Psychological Association (APA) Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct in all psychological studies it considers for publication.
Introduction
The APA Ethics Code includes an introduction, preamble, five aspirational General Principles (A–E), and a series of enforceable Ethical Standards. While the principles outline broad professional ideals such as beneficence, responsibility, integrity, justice, and respect for people’s rights and dignity, the standards provide specific, binding rules for professional behavior in psychology. This Code applies to psychologists’ professional, scientific, teaching, and applied work in various contexts—including research, practice, education, consultation, policy development, and public service—whether conducted in person or through digital means.
Preamble
Psychologists are expected to advance understanding of human behavior, contribute to individual and societal well-being, and uphold human and civil rights. Their work often includes roles as researchers, educators, clinicians, consultants, and evaluators. To maintain trust, psychologists must act ethically, foster transparency in their professional conduct, and promote ethical awareness among students, trainees, and colleagues.
General Principles
- Principle A: Beneficence and Non-maleficence – Strive to promote well-being and avoid harm in all professional activities, including research with humans and animals.
- Principle B: Fidelity and Responsibility – Build relationships of trust, clarify professional obligations, manage conflicts of interest, and accept accountability for one’s actions.
- Principle C: Integrity – Promote accuracy and honesty in science, teaching, and practice; avoid fraud, deception, and misrepresentation.
- Principle D: Justice – Ensure fairness and equitable access to psychological knowledge, practices, and services without bias.
- Principle E: Respect for People’s Rights and Dignity – Protect privacy, confidentiality, autonomy, and diversity, with special safeguards for vulnerable populations.
Ethical Standards
The Code’s standards address specific aspects of professional conduct, such as:
- Resolving Ethical Issues: Psychologists must correct misuse of their work, report violations when necessary, and cooperate with ethics committees.
- Competence: Provide services only within the boundaries of training and expertise, and maintain ongoing professional development.
- Human Relations: Avoid discrimination, harassment, exploitation, and conflicts of interest; obtain informed consent in all professional interactions.
- Privacy and Confidentiality: Protect sensitive information, discuss limits of confidentiality, and handle data responsibly.
- Research and Publication: Secure institutional approval, obtain informed consent, avoid deception unless scientifically justified, ensure humane treatment of animal subjects, prevent plagiarism, and report findings honestly.
- Education and Training: Deliver accurate information, fair evaluation, and appropriate supervision, while avoiding misuse of authority.
- Assessment: Use reliable, validated methods, obtain informed consent, interpret results responsibly, and protect test security.
- Therapy: Establish informed consent, clarify roles in family or group settings, avoid exploitative or sexual relationships, and provide appropriate termination of services.
Applicability and Enforcement
Membership in APA entails compliance with this Code, and violations may result in sanctions by professional bodies. Importantly, the Ethics Code is not designed as a basis for civil liability but serves as a framework for professional conduct. In cases where ethical duties exceed legal requirements, psychologists are expected to uphold the higher ethical standard, ensuring alignment with fundamental human rights.
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