What is the right to withdraw in psychological studies?

The right to withdraw is one of a range of ethical considerations that researchers are required to follow when conducting psychological research. The right to withdraw specifically refers to the principle that a person should be able to remove themselves and their data from a research study at any time, without experiencing undue pressure or negative consequences.

The right to withdraw, along with other ethical obligations, ensures that all research is conducted responsibly and that participants and the wider community are not adversely impacted as a result of the research. Participants should be informed of their right to withdraw when providing informed consent, and should be reminded of it again during debriefing.