Week-2-Lesson-4-Ethical-Considerations-in-Research (1)

Lesson 4: Basic Principles of Research Ethics

Objectives

  • At the end of the discussion, you are expected to:

    • a. Explain why ethics in research is important.

    • b. Describe basic ethical principles of research ethics in decision-making.

    • c. Describe ethical dilemmas and safeguards in research.

    • d. Apply basic ethical principles and guidelines in research decision-making.

Ethical Considerations

Research Ethics

  • Issues in Research Ethics:

    1. How should we treat the participants of our research?

    2. Are there activities we should or should not engage in concerning our relations with them? (Bryman, 2008)

  • Etymology:

    • "Ethics" originates from the Greek word "ethos," meaning "character" (Hesse-Biber and Leavy, 2011).

    • Ethics in Research:

      • Refers to the standards defining what is morally right or wrong in conducting research (Burnham et al., 2004).

Ethical Goals

  1. Ensure participants voluntarily participate in the study.

  2. Maintain confidentiality of participants’ comments and behaviors.

  3. Protect participants from harm.

  4. Foster mutual trust between researchers and subjects (Silverman, 2006).

Ethical Guidelines in Research

  1. Voluntary Participation and Harmlessness.

  2. Anonymity and Confidentiality.

  3. Disclosure:

    • Informed Consent:

      • A procedure where a competent subject, after receiving and understanding all research-related information, voluntarily agrees to participate in a clinical trial.

      • Research subjects have the right to know about the nature of the research and the right to withdraw at any time (Silverman, 2006).

Ethical Pitfalls in Qualitative Research (Silverman, 2006)

  1. Exploitative social research.

  2. Deception.

  3. Identification of subjects’ identities.

  4. Fraternizing with groups we dislike.

  5. Participating in dubious bargains.

Ethical Principles in Research

  • Beneficence: Avoidance of harm.

  • Veracity: Avoidance of deception.

  • Privacy or Autonomy.

  • Confidentiality.

  • Consent.

  • Respect for Persons.

  • Justice.

  • Vulnerability.