Strive for honesty in all scientific communications.

Honestly report data, results, methods and

procedures, and publication status. Do not fabricate, falsify, or misrepresent data. Do not deceive
colleagues, research sponsors, or the public.

Ethical research can be ensured by strict application of existing Guiding Principles for Ethical
Research, viz.; Social and clinical value; Scientific validity; Fair subject selection; Favorable risk-benefit
ratio; Independent review; Informed consent; and Respect for potential and enrolled subjects. These
ethical considerations in research constitute the principles that guide research designs and practices.
These principles include voluntary participation, informed consent, anonymity, confidentiality,
potential for harm, and results communication. Accordingly, as per The Belmont Report upon which
they were drawn, all concerned in conducting research should respect the below principles and
ethical considerations in research: Respect for persons - autonomy and protecting those with
diminished autonomy; Beneficence and non-maleficence; Justice; Informed consent; Confidentiality
and data protection; Integrity; Conflict of interest. It is crucial to follow the correct principles of
research in research programs.

Research ethics govern the standards of conduct for scientific researchers It is the guideline for
responsibly conducting the research. Research that implicates human subjects or contributors rears
distinctive and multifaceted ethical, legitimate, communal, and administrative concerns. Research
ethics is unambiguously concerned in the examination of ethical issues that are upraised when
individuals are involved as participants in the study. Research ethics committee/Institutional Review
Board (IRB) reviews whether the research is ethical enough or not to protect the rights, dignity and
welfare of the respondents.

The first and comprehensive objective – to guard/protect human participants, their dignity, rights
and welfare . The second objective – to make sure that research is directed in a manner that assists
welfares of persons, groups and/or civilization as a whole. The third objective – to inspect particular
research events and schemes for their ethical reliability, considering issues such as the controlling
risk, protection of privacy and the progression of informed consent.

Principles of Research Ethics:

The general principles of research ethics are:

Honesty

Being honest with the beneficiaries and respondents. Being honest about the findings and
methodology of the research. Being honest with other direct and indirect stakeholders.

Integrity Ensuring honesty and sincerity. Fulfilling agreements and promises. Do not create
false expectations or make false promises.

Objectivity
Avoiding bias in experimental design, data analysis, data interpretation, peer review, and other
aspects of research.

Informed consent means that a person knowingly, voluntarily and intelligently gives consent to
participate in a research. Informed consent is related to the autonomous right of the individual to
participate in the research. Informing the participant about the research objective, their role,
benefits/harms (if any) etc.

Respect for person/respondent It includes: autonomy, which requires that those who are capable of
deliberation about their personal goals should be treated with respect for their capacity for self-
determination; and protection of persons with impaired or diminished autonomy, which requires
that those who are dependent or vulnerable be afforded security against harm or abuse.

Beneficence Maximize the benefits of the participants. Ethical obligation to maximize possible
benefits and to minimize possible harms to the respondents. Non-maleficence/ Protecting the
subjects (human) Do no harm. Minimize harm/s or risks to the human. Ensure privacy,
autonomy and dignity.

Responsible publication Responsibly publishing to promote and uptake research or knowledge. No

duplicate publication. Protecting anonymity It means keeping the participant anonymous. It
involves not revealing the name, caste or any other information about the participants that may
reveal his/her identity. Confidentiality Protecting confidential information, personnel records. It
includes information such as:

Introduction and objective of the research; Purpose of the discussion; Procedure of the research

Anticipated advantages, benefits/harm from the research (if any); Use of research; Their role in
research; Right to refuse or withdraw

Methods which will be used to protect anonymity and confidentiality of the participant.

Freedom to not answer any question/withdraw from the research; Who to contact if the participant
needs additional information about the research. Non-discrimination Avoid discrimination on the
basis of age, sex, race, ethnicity or other factors that are violation of human rights and are not
related to the study. Openness Be open to sharing results, data and other resources. Also accept
encouraging comments and constructive feedback. Carefulness and respect for intellectual property
Be careful about the possible error and biases. Give credit to the intellectual property of
others. Always paraphrase while referring to others article, writing. Never plagiarize.

Justice The obligation to distribute benefits and burdens fairly, to treat equals equally, and to give
reasons for differential treatment based on widely accepted criteria for just ways to distribute
benefits and burdens.

Broadly categorizing, there are mainly five principles of research ethics:

1. MINIMIZING THE RISK OF HARM

It is necessary to minimize any sort of harm to the participants. There are a number of forms of harm
that participants can be exposed to. They are:

Bodily harm to contributors.

Psychological agony and embarrassment.

Social drawback.

Violation of participant’s confidentiality and privacy.

In order to minimize the risk of harm, the researcher/data collector should:

Obtain informed consent from participants.

Protecting anonymity and confidentiality of participants.

Avoiding misleading practices when planning research.

Providing participants with the right to withdraw.

2. OBTAINING INFORMED CONSENT

One of the fundamentals of research ethics is the notion of informed consent.

Informed consent means that a person knowingly, voluntarily and intelligently gives consent to
participate in a research.

Informed consent means that the participants should be well-informed about the:

Introduction and objective of the research

Purpose of the discussion

Anticipated advantages, benefits/harm from the research (if any)

Use of research

Their role in research

Methods which will be used to protect anonymity and confidentiality of the participant

Freedom to not answer any question/withdraw from the research

Who to contact if the participant need additional information about the research

3. PROTECTING ANONYMITY AND CONFIDENTIALITY

Protecting the anonymity and confidentiality of research participants is an additionally applied
constituent of research ethics.

Protecting anonymity: It means keeping the participant anonymous. It involves not revealing the
name, caste or any other information about the participants that may reveal his/her identity.

Maintaining confidentiality: It refers to ensuring that the information given by the participant are
confidential and not shared with anyone, except the research team. It is also about keeping the
information secretly from other people.

4. AVOIDING MISLEADING PRACTICES

The researcher should avoid all the deceptive and misleading practices that might misinform the
respondent.

It includes avoiding all the activities like communicating wrong messages, giving false assurance,
giving false information etc.

5. PROVIDING THE RIGHT TO WITHDRAW

Participants have to have the right to withdraw at any point of the research.

When any respondent decides on to withdraw from the research, they should not be stressed or
forced in any manner to try to discontinue them from withdrawing.

Apart from the above-mentioned ethics, other ethical aspects things that must be considered while
doing research are:

Protection of vulnerable groups of people:

Vulnerability is one distinctive feature of people incapable to protect their moralities and wellbeing.
Vulnerable groups comprise captive populations (detainees, established, students, etc.), mentally ill
persons, and aged people, children, critically ill or dying, poor, with learning incapacities, sedated or
insensible.

Their participation in research can be endorsed to their incapability to give an informed consent and
to the need for their further safety and sensitivity from the research/researcher as they are in a
greater risk of being betrayed, exposed or forced to participate.

Skills of the researcher:

Researchers should have the basic skills and familiarity for the specific study to be carried out and be
conscious of the bounds of personal competence in research.

Any lack of knowledge in the area under research must be clearly specified.

Inexperienced researchers should work under qualified supervision that has to be revised by an
ethics commission.

Advantages of Research Ethics: Research ethics promote the aims of research. It increases trust
among the researcher and the respondent. It is important to adhere to ethical principles in order to
protect the dignity, rights and welfare of research participants. Researchers can be held accountable
and answerable for their actions. Ethics promote social and moral values. Promotes the ambitions of
research, such as understanding, veracity, and dodging of error. Ethical standards uphold the values
that are vital to cooperative work, such as belief, answerability, mutual respect, and impartiality.
Ethical norms in research also aid to construct public upkeep for research. People are more likely to
trust a research project if they can trust the worth and reliability of research.

Limitations of Research Ethics: For subjects: Possibilities to physical integrity, containing those linked
with experimental drugs and dealings and with other involvements that will be used in the study
(e.g. measures used to observe research participants, such as blood sampling, X-rays or lumbar
punctures).

Psychological risks: for example, a questionnaire may perhaps signify a risk if it fears traumatic events
or happenings that are especially traumatic.

Social, legal and economic risks: for example, if personal information collected during a study is
unintentionally released, participants might face a threat of judgment and stigmatization.

Certain tribal or inhabitant groups may possibly suffer from discrimination or stigmatization, burdens
because of research, typically if associates of those groups are recognized as having a greater-than-
usual risk of devouring a specific disease.

The research may perhaps have an influence on the prevailing health system: for example, human
and financial capitals dedicated to research may distract attention from other demanding health care
necessities in the community.

The following process helps to ensure ethics at different steps of research:

Collect the facts and talk over intellectual belongings openly; Outline the ethical matters; Detect the
affected parties (stakeholders); Ascertain the forfeits; Recognize the responsibilities (principles,
rights, justice); Contemplate your personality and truthfulness; Deliberate innovatively about
possible actions

Respect privacy and confidentiality; Resolve on the appropriate ethical action and be willing to deal
with divergent point of view.

ADVANTAGES OF RESEARCH ETHICS

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CONFIDENTIALITY AND ANONYMITY IN RESEARCH

MINIMIZING THE RISK OF HARM IN RESEARCH

OBTAINING INFORMED CONSENT IN RESEARCH

PRINCIPLES OF RESEARCH ETHICS

PROTECTING ANONYMITY AND CONFIDENTIALITY

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF RESEARCH ETHICS

WHAT ARE THE LIMITATIONS OF RESEARCH ETHICS

WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPLES OF RESEARCH ETHICS

WHAT IS OBTAINING INFORMED CONSENT IN RESEARCH

WHAT IS RESEARCH ETHICS

WHAT IS RIGHT TO WITHDRAW IN RESEARCH

WHAT IS ROTECTING ANONYMITY AND CONFIDENTIALITY IN RESEARCH

About Kusum Wagle 213 Articles

Hello and greetings everyone! I am Kusum Wagle, MPH, WHO-TDR Scholar, BRAC James P. Grant
School of Public Health, Bangladesh. I have gained profound experiences in public health sector
under different thematic areas of health, nutrition, sexual and reproductive health, maternal and
newborn health, research etc., targeting diverse audience of different age groups. I have performed
diverse roles ranging from lecturer in the public health department of colleges, nutrition coordinator,
research coordinator and consultant, in different programs, projects and academic institutions of
Nepal. I also hold immense experience in working closely and persistently with government
organizations, non-government organizations, UN agencies, CSOs and other stakeholders at the
national and sub-national level. I have successfully led and coordinated different projects involving
multi-sector participation and engagement. Moreover, I am also regularly involved in the
development of different national health related programs and its guidelines.

Why do research ethics matter? Research ethics matter for scientific integrity, human rights and
dignity, and collaboration between science and society. These principles make sure that participation
in studies is voluntary, informed, and safe for research subjects.18 Oct,2021

What is the justification for ethics in research?

Research can be ethically justified only if undertaken in respectful manner, safe, fair, and outmost
beneficial. Also, a study can be scientifically sound by ensuring conformity to acceptable scientific
standards.

What is the ethical justification for conducting research with human participants?

Informed consent from research participants is necessary. Research should be conducted by

medically / scientifically qualified individuals. Risks should not exceed benefits.

How do you ensure that your research is ethically acceptable?

Guiding Principles for Ethical Research

Social and clinical value.

Scientific validity.
Fair subject selection.

Favorable risk-benefit ratio.

Independent review.

Informed consent.

Respect for potential and enrolled subjects.

Guiding Principles for Ethical Research

nih.gov

https://www.nih.gov › nih-clinical-research-trials-you › g...

Search for: How do you ensure that your research is ethically acceptable?

What are the 5 main ethical principles we must uphold when conducting research?

What does justified mean in ethics?

What is the importance of ethics in research conclusion?

What are the 5 ethics of research?

What are the 4 principles of ethical research?

What are the 7 principles of ethics in research?

What is the role of argumentation in ethics?

Argumentation ethics, then, guide how arguers ought to generate and exchange arguments as moral
members of a community. such, ethics and stances are a normative dimension to argumentation and
debate, offering guidelines for how we should conduct ourselves.

What is argumentation in research?

Argumentation theory, or argumentation, is the interdisciplinary study of how conclusions can be

supported or undermined by premises through logical reasoning.

What are examples of ethical arguments?

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without Their Parents' Approval? To Vote or Not to Vote on Election Day: Can Your Vote Make a
Difference? Combating Music Piracy: Can We Put an End to Music Piracy and Compel People to Buy
Rather than “Steal”?03 Nov,2016

What are the two types of ethical arguments?

The answers to this question fall into two broad categories—deontological and teleological, or
consequentialist. The principal difference between them is that deontological theories do not appeal
to value considerations in establishing ethical standards, while teleological theories do.08 Jun,2023

What is an ethical persuasive argument?

Ethical persuasion concerns the moral principles associated with a speaker's use of persuasion to
influence an audience's beliefs, attitudes, intentions, motivations, or behaviors. An ethical speaker
may endeavor to: Explore the audience's viewpoint, Explain the speaker's viewpoint, and. Create
resolutions.

Research ethics in various disciplines

Research ethics differs throughout different types of fields and academic

communities. Every community has its own set of morals and ethical principles

(Paoletti, 2014).

I. Research ethics developed as a concept and discipline in medical research.

Specifically, research ethics in a medical research is grounded by principlism which

includes the following four ethical principles (Sobottka, 2016):

UU-DBA-820-ZM

▪ Autonomy—free-will or agency

▪ Beneficence—do good

▪ Nonmaleficence—do no harm, and

▪ Justice—social distribution of benefits and burdens.

II. The academic research enterprise is grounded on the so called foundation of

trust. Researchers should trust that the research findings and outcomes reported

by others are true and valid. Academic society trusts that research reflects an

honest and truthful attempt by researchers to designate the words and its objects in

an accurate and true manner without bias (Moreno, 2018).

III. There are many ethical issues to be taken into consideration for in

sociological research as well. Sociologists have to be responsible to secure the

actual permission and interests of all those involved in the research. They must

not mistreat any of the information gained and must maintain a moral responsibility

towards the participants. It is the duty of the researcher to protect and secure the

rights of people in the study including their information and privacy. The matter of

confidentiality is very important as those involved in research must be kept anonymous

and private.

Exceptions are applied when people are involved in illegal or terrorist activity

(Sobottka, 2016).
IV. Research ethics in anthropological research was formed to protect on the one

hand those who are being researched and on the other hand the researcher from

situations, topics or events that may be dangerous or sensitive. Ethical principles

are applied particularly in ethnographic research. For example, in ethnographic

fieldwork is often required to sign an informed consent form which designates the

nature of the research. Informants are usually assured anonymity and might be

referred to the participants using pseudonyms (Moreno, 2018).

UU-DBA-820-ZM

Actions to consider while involving Human Subjects in

Research

▪ privacy, confidentiality;

▪ informed consent;

▪ anonymity;

▪ harm and consequentiality.

In summary, researchers must defend professional integrity by clarifying their research

to participants, supporting bodies and gatekeepers as plainly as possible; and to shield

the interests of participants by guarantying privacy and anonymity while attaining both

oral and written consent (Chui, 2007).

Research Ethics, Freedom Of Research & Society.

The value of research and research ethics.

Researchers shall hold to research ethics standards, for example, requirements

regarding honesty, impartiality and willingness to accept their own fallibility. Scientific

knowledge is of value in and of itself. The crucial responsibility of research is to

look for the truth. Consequently, scientific integrity is a key aspect of research

ethics. In many disciplines, there is disagreement over fundamental questions of

scientific theory. However, honest documentation and consistent reasoning are

absolute requirements, regardless of scholars’ position with a view to theory. At an

overall level, all disciplines are subject to the same research ethics obligations, e.g.

requirements for interesting and relevant research issues, verifiable documentation,

impartial discussion of conflicting opinions, and insight into one’s own fallibility. The

requirements for professional independence and peer review are also universal

(Madushani, 2016)..

The importance of independent research.

The independent research has ensured by the research institutions and research

policy bodies which must guarantee that scholarly excellence requirements is not

concealed because a topic is controversial. The intrinsic research need for originality,

transparency and verification of prevailing opinions can conflict with the desire of

UU-DBA-820-ZM

some parties to prevent the exploration of topics.

Research must be safeguarded from internal or external control that interferes with

well-founded discussion problems that conflict with particular financial, political,

social, cultural or religious interests and traditions. Neither the non-research

constraints should dictate the results to which the research should lead. Research

must be safeguarded in such a way that its results and conclusions are not hidden or

reported selectively. The duration and relevance of the arguments, rather than

established interests and traditions, should guide the production of knowledge in

research (Israel & Hay, 2006).

The obligation to respect human dignity

Researchers shall work on the basis of basic respect for human dignity. While

research can help advance the importance of human life, it can also threaten it.

Researchers must demonstrate respect for human dignity in their selection of topic,

in relation to their research issues, and in reporting research findings (Madushani,

2016).

This entails that research processes must be held to definite principles:

• ensure freedom and self-determination;

• safeguard against harm and unreasonable suffering;

• protect privacy and close relationships.

7
UU-DBA-820-ZM

The obligation to respect individuals’ privacy and close relationships and

respect confidentiality

Researchers shall show due respect for an individual’s privacy. Informants are

entitled to be able to check whether confidential information about them is

accessible to others. Also, research subjects are entitled to a guarantee that all

information they provide about their private lives will be treated confidentially (Israel &

Hay, 2006).

Obligation to obtain free and informed consent

As a general rule, research projects that include individuals can be initiated only

after securing participants’ free and informed consent. The informants have the

right to withdraw from participation at any time, without this entailing any negative

consequences for them (Israel & Hay, 2006). Lecture Notes: UU-DBA-820-ZM

References

Chui W.H. (2007). “Quantitative Legal Research”, Edinburgh University Press.

Israel, M., & Hay, I. (2006). Research ethics for social scientists. Sage.

Madushani, H. D. P. (2016). “Ethical Issues in Social Science Research: A Review”, in

Journal of Social Statistics.

Moreno, I. C. (2018). The basics and ethics of social and behavioral sciences research

design: A book review. The Qualitative Report, 23(1), 262-263.

Paoletti, I. (2014). Ethics and the social dimension of research activities. Human

Studies, 37(2), 257-277.

Sobottka, E. A. (2016). Commitment and regulation. ethics in research and the human

sciences *. International Journal of Action Research, 12(2), 116-143

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

http://dissertation.laerd.com/principles-of-research-ethics.php

https://researchethics.ca/what-is-research-ethics/

https://www.who.int/ethics/Ethics_basic_concepts_ENG.pdf
https://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/resources/bioethics/whatis/index.cfm

https://research.ku.edu/sites/research.ku.edu/files/docs/
EESE_EthicalDecisionmakingFramework.pdf

https://www.who.int/ethics/research/en/

https://www.ufrgs.br/bioetica/cioms2008.pdf

https://www.who.int/ethics/research/en/#:~:text=WHO%20Research%20Ethics%20Review
%20Committee,financially%20or%20technically%20by%20WHO.

https://www.who.int/reproductivehealth/topics/ethics/review_bodies_guide_serg/en/

https://www.who.int/ethics/indigenous_peoples/en/index13.html

https://www.who.int/bulletin/archives/80(2)114.pdf

https://www.who.int/about/ethics

https://www.slideshare.net/uqudent/introduction-to-research-ethics

https://libguides.library.cityu.edu.hk/researchmethods/ethics#:~:text=Methods%20by
%20Subject-,What%20is%20Research%20Ethics%3F,ensure%20a%20high%20ethical%20standard.

https://www.apa.org/monitor/jan03/principles

https://www.hsj.gr/medicine/what-are-the-major-ethical-issues-in-conducting-research-is-there-a-
conflict-between-the-research-ethics-and-the-nature-of-nursing.php?aid=3485

https://www.skillsyouneed.com/learn/research-ethics.html
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