What the exam asks
- Section I (Multiple Choice): You will read short descriptions of studies and identify which ethical principle was followed or violated, or distinguish between related procedures like informed consent and informed assent, or confidentiality and anonymity.
- Section II (AAQ Part D): Every AAQ asks you to state one ethical guideline mentioned in the summarized peer-reviewed study and describe how the researchers implemented it in that specific study.
Core ideas
Institutional review
Before any study begins, researchers must submit their proposal to an Institutional Review Board (IRB), the term used on the AP Psychology exam for institutional review of research involving either human participants or non-human animals (in practice, universities often use a dedicated Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee [IACUC] for animal studies). These committees—which include scientists, ethicists, and community members—weigh the potential scientific benefits of the study against any risks to participants.
For non-human animal research, ethical guidelines require that animals be housed humanely, cared for by trained personnel, and subjected to minimal pain or distress. Any discomfort or surgical procedure must be justified by the scientific value of the research and performed under appropriate anesthesia.