Research Ethics Overview

Applying ethical principles to research activities to ensure respectful and responsible conduct.

Careful thought about the fairness and safety of the research plan, especially for participants.

Participant understanding and agreement to be involved in a study after being told all important information.

Evaluating the possible benefits and dangers of a research study.

Protecting the privacy and personal information of research participants.

When a researcher's personal interests could influence their work or bias research results.

Ensuring all data is accurate and reported honestly.

Ethical standards for sharing research findings, including details, explanations, and accuracy.

The potential effects of a research project on society and the environment.

Identifying possible dangers, harm, or negative consequences for participants before starting research.

Using reliable and accurate methods to ensure research findings are trustworthy.

Clearly outlining the research aims and what it hopes to achieve.

Explaining the steps and activities participants will go through.

Outlining potential dangers and advantages of participating.

Ensuring participants know their rights during the study, like privacy and withdrawal.

Treating research participants as autonomous individuals capable of making their own decisions about their involvement in a study. This includes obtaining informed consent and respecting their right to withdraw at any time.

Maximizing benefits and minimizing harm to participants in research. This involves conducting a thorough risk-benefit analysis to ensure potential benefits outweigh potential risks.

Fairly distributing the benefits and burdens of research among different groups in society. This means ensuring vulnerable populations are not unfairly targeted or exploited.

A historical example of unethical research where participants were not informed about the true nature of the study and were denied treatment for syphilis. It highlights the importance of respecting persons in research.

Clinical trials for developing new cancer treatments often carry risks for participants but can potentially benefit many. This exemplifies the balancing of benefits and risks, crucial for adhering to the principle of beneficence.

The use of a placebo in cancer trials raises ethical concerns about justice because it may deny access to potentially life-saving treatments. This highlights the importance of ensuring fairness in research.

A research design where neither the researchers nor the participants know who receives the treatment or placebo. This helps minimize bias and ensure fairness in research.

Forcing or pressuring someone into participating in research without their genuine consent.

Using power or authority to get someone to participate in research without a free choice.

Researchers must take steps to reduce potential dangers for participants to the lowest possible level.

Keeping research participant information private and secure.

The right of research participants to control how their personal information is used.

Keeping research participant information private and secure, ensuring their identity and details are not revealed without their consent.

Protecting the right of participants to control their personal information and how it is used in research.

Researchers must clearly inform participants about how their data will be used and shared, gaining their permission before any use or publication.

When a researcher's personal interests or relationships could influence their research decisions and findings.

Researchers must openly declare any potential conflicts of interest, allowing for transparency and avoiding bias.

Gathering research data in a responsible and ethical manner, respecting participant rights and privacy.

Analyzing research data with integrity and honesty, ensuring accurate interpretation and reporting of results.

Applying ethical principles to research practices, ensuring respect, fairness, and transparency throughout the entire process.

The process of getting approval from an Institutional Review Board (IRB) to ensure research meets ethical standards and safeguards participants' rights.

Ethical conduct in research builds trust in the scientific enterprise. This trust is essential for public acceptance and support of research.