Key terms & definitions

Making responsible design decisions by considering their effects on people, society and the environment.

A consideration of what is right or fair, such as whether workers receive fair pay and are protected from exploitation.

A principle or standard that guides how psychologists should treat people and make responsible decisions in research or practice.

Testing a computer system's security with the owner's permission to identify weaknesses and help get them fixed.

A judgement about whether an action is right or acceptable, considering effects such as welfare, consent, fairness and environmental harm.

A question about whether an action and its consequences are morally right or wrong.

A conflict or choice involving judgements about what ought to be done or how people, animals or the environment ought to be treated.

An issue concerning whether an action is morally right or wrong, rather than simply whether it is technically possible.

A question about whether an action or decision is right or wrong, considering its effects on people.

A responsibility to respect participants’ rights, dignity and well-being when conducting an investigation.

A question about whether the way research is conducted or used respects people’s rights, privacy and well-being.

Questions and reasoned judgements about whether an action is right or wrong.

A target concerned with behaving fairly and responsibly, such as treating workers fairly.

A viewpoint that considers whether decisions and actions treat people fairly and protect their rights and wellbeing.

A question about whether an action or its consequences are right or wrong; answering it involves values as well as facts.

A question about what is right, wrong, fair or acceptable, involving values that cannot be determined by scientific evidence alone.

A question about what people ought to do, involving judgements about values, rights or responsibilities.

A duty to consider how decisions affect other people and the environment, rather than considering only cost or profit.

An assessment of a proposed study’s ethical risks and safeguards, usually by an independent committee.

Obtaining materials, components, products or services from suppliers whose practices meet ethical standards, including fair treatment of workers.

Buying materials or components from suppliers whose practices respect workers, communities and the environment.

Tourism that promotes acceptable behaviour and consideration for the people and environment of a destination.

The study of right and wrong, including questions about how people ought to treat others.

Principles concerning how people should behave and what makes actions right or wrong.

Moral principles about what is right and wrong, rather than simply what is legal or illegal.

Moral principles used to judge whether decisions are responsible and fair towards people, society and the environment.

Standards of acceptable conduct that guide researchers in respecting participants' rights and protecting their welfare.

The presence of people identifying with a range of ethnic backgrounds within a population.

The presence of a range of different ethnic groups within a community or society.

A group of people with a shared cultural heritage, which may include ancestry, language, traditions or religion.