PRACTICAL RESEARCH 1 11: Ethical Principles In Research

Ethics in Research

• It is a standard of conduct that distinguishes right from wrong.

• It helps us determine the difference between acceptable & unacceptable behaviors.

• It is the guideline for the responsible conduct of research.

• It educates & monitors researchers to ensure a high ethical standard.

Belmont Report

A foundational ethical document that establishes three core principles for research involving human subjects.

Voluntary Participation & Harmlessness

Covers 3 aspects:

• Subjects/respondents in a research project must be aware that their participation in the study is voluntary.

• They are free to withdraw their participation from the study at any time without any unfavorable repercussions.

• They are not harmed as a result of their participation or non-participation in the research project.

Confidentiality

An ethical guideline in research that posits that sources of information should be kept incognito. This means that they are not divulged outside the research team and their identity remains a secret.

Anonymity

A condition in which the identity of individual subjects is not known to the researchers.

Informed Consent

It means that research subjects have the right to know that they are being researched, the right to be informed about the nature of the research, and the right to withdraw at any time.

Deception

In research, it occurs when researchers represent their work as something other than what it is.

Beneficence

The avoidance of harm.

Veracity

The avoidance of deception—researchers ought to tell the truth and keep promises.

Privacy or autonomy

Individuals have a right to limit access to information about themselves.

Respect for persons

• People should be treated as autonomous.

• People with diminished autonomy should be protected.

Justice

It means being fair in the recruitment of participants.

Vulnerability

Refers to a substantial incapacity to protect one’s own interests owing to such impediments as a lack of capability to give informed consent, a lack of alternative means of obtaining medical care or other expensive necessities, or being a junior or subordinate member of a hierarchical group.