Guidelines for behavioral projects with human participants

The APA Code of Ethics establishes strict guidelines to ensure that all psychological research is conducted ethically, responsibly, and respectful of the rights of participants. These policies are primarily detailed in Section 8: Research and Publication of the code. The main points are summarized below:

1. Informed Consent (8.02)
Psychologists must obtain informed consent from all participants before beginning research, except for exceptions approved by ethics committees (IRBs). This consent must include clear information about the study's purpose, duration, procedures, risks, benefits, confidentiality, and the option to withdraw at any time without penalty.

2. Use of Deception (8.07)
The use of deception techniques is permitted only if scientifically justified and there is no other alternative. Furthermore, they must not pose significant risks to participants. A subsequent debriefing process is required to explain the true nature of the study.

3. Protection from Harm (8.01)
Research must not cause physical or psychological harm to participants. Reasonable precautions must be taken to protect their well-being, dignity, and rights.

4. Risk and Benefit Assessment
Before initiating research, psychologists must carefully assess the balance between expected benefits and potential risks to participants.

5. Use of Animals in Research (8.09)
The use of animals must meet rigorous legal and ethical standards. Humane care, scientific justification, and supervision by trained personnel are required.

6. Confidentiality (8.04)
The identity and private information of participants must be protected at all stages of the research, including the publication of results.

7. Publication and Plagiarism (8.10–8.11)
Psychologists must accurately report their data and results, without falsification or fabrication. Plagiarism is strictly prohibited. Furthermore, authorship credit should only be given to those who have significantly contributed to the design, execution, or analysis of the research.

8. Compensation (8.06)
Participants must receive fair compensation when appropriate, but never conditional on completion of the study.

9. Data Storage and Access (8.14)
Researchers must retain data for a reasonable period (usually five years) and provide access to other scientists if required for verification, while respecting confidentiality.