Ethics in Research: Principles and Guidelines

Ethics in Research

• Ethics are standards of conduct that distinguish between right and wrong.
• Ethics help us to determine the difference between acceptable and unacceptable behaviors.

Ethical Principles of Research

• Guidelines that ensure responsible conduct of research
• Educates and monitors researchers to ensure high ethical standards

Belmont Report

Ethical Principles of Research Explained

• Respect for Persons
  • People should be treated as autonomous
    • Autonomous - A person can make their own decisions about what they do and agree to
    • Participants in research should voluntarily agree to participate after providing complete information on the research process
    • A consent form should be provided for all potential participants
  • People with diminished autonomy should be protected
    • Children, the ill, or individuals with mental disabilities may require a parent or guardian to consent to their participation
• Beneficence
  • Doing no harm
  • Researchers have a moral duty to promote the course of action that they believe is in the best interests of the participants, respondents, or subjects.
• Justice
  • Justice in research means being fair in the recruitment of participants.
  • Never include people who are vulnerable and less able to decline participation, as they may be pressured or scared to say no.

Ethical Issues in Research

• Voluntary Participation - Participants must be willing to participate in the study without coercion.
• Informed Consent - Participants must be provided with clear information about the study and its risks before deciding whether to participate. - Free from Risk of Harm - Researchers must ensure that participants are not put at risk of physical or psychological harm.
• Confidentiality - Information about participants should be kept private and confidential.
• Anonymity - The identity of participants should not be known to researchers, even in the analysis of data.

Analysis of Research Procedure

• Maria's Science Investigatory Project
• Unacceptable - As Maria's project involves using plastic materials, there is a potential risk of exposure to harmful chemicals. The participants should be informed of this risk and choose to participate voluntarily after understanding the potential risks.

Ethics

• Standards guiding conduct, distinguishing between right and wrong.
• Help determine acceptable and unacceptable behaviors.

Ethical Principles of Research

• Guidelines for responsible research conduct.
• Educate and monitor researchers to ensure high ethical standards.

Belmont Report

• Ethical principles of research are based on this report.

Ethical Principles of Research

• Respect for persons:
  • Individuals should be treated as autonomous.
  • People who cannot make their own decisions should be protected.
  • Examples include children, ill individuals, or those with mental disabilities.
• Beneficence:
  • Doing no harm.
  • Researchers should promote actions that benefit participants.
• Justice:
  • Fairness in participant recruitment.
  • Vulnerable individuals should not be pressured into participating.

Ethical Issues in Research

• Voluntary Participation: Individuals should freely choose to participate in research.
• Informed Consent: Participants must be informed about the research process and risks before agreeing to participate.
• Free from Risk of Harm: Participants should not be exposed to unnecessary risks or harm during the research.
• Confidentiality: Information about participants is kept private and not shared outside the research team.
• Anonymity: Participants' identities are unknown to researchers.

Analyze Research Procedures

• Maria's Science Investigatory Project:
  • Acceptable
  • If Maria's project follows the ethical principles of research including informed consent, and ensures no harm to participants.