Skepticism and Research Ethics

skepticism

suspending judgment (opposite of jumping to conclusions) when evaluating an explanation or claims

the Common Rule

lists criteria for IRB (Institutional Review Board) approval of a research plan that are directly related to the three Belmont Principles; baseline standard of ethics by which any government-funded research in the US is held

three principles of Belmont Report

respect for persons, beneficence, justice

autonomy

individuals must be given the choice whether to participate in research, and they must be provided sufficient information and possess the mental competence to make that choice

voluntariness

research subjects must be free to choose to participate in research, and must be free to end their participation for any reason, without consequences

informed consent

must be given information on any foreseeable risks, purpose of research, and what the participant will be expected to do

beneficence

minimizing risks of harm and maximizing possible benefits

justice

distributing benefits and burdens of research; must be equitably distributed