Basic Principles of

Research Ethics
Lesson 4
Objectives:

• Explain why ethics in research is important

• Describe basic ethical principles of research
ethics in making decisions
• Describe ethical dilemmas and safeguards in
research
Ethics in research
• Refers to the standards on what is morally
right or wrong in conducting research.
(Burnham, 2004)
Ethics are Important
• Ethical issues arise at a variety of stages in social
research and these issues relate directly to the
integrity of a piece of research and of the
disciplines involved.
(Hesse-Biber 2011)
Ethical Goals
• Ensure that people participate voluntarily in the
study
• Keep people’s comments and behavior confidential
• Protect people from harm
• Ensure mutual trust between research and people
studied
Informed Consent
• Means that research subjects have the right to know
that they are being researched, the right to be informed
about the nature of the research and the right to
withdraw at any time.
What must be included in the Informed
Consent:
1. Why do you think I am suitable to take part in this research?
2. How did you get my name or find out that I was suitable for this
study?
3. Why is this study important?
4. How will this study be done?
5. What does this study involve?
6. Will this study benefit me?
7. Are there any risks or hazards involved?
8. Will people be able to find out my details because of this study?
9. What if I change my mind or don’t want to be involved?
10. Can I get a summary of findings of your research?
Some Common Ethical
Problems of Novice
Student Researchers
Plagiarism
• Includes quoting directly without acknowledging the
sources of these quotes, paraphrasing without
acknowledging the source, and constructing a
paraphrase that closely resembles the original in
language and syntax without giving credit to the
original source.
Ethical Issues
• Students begin a research project as a means of exploring or
solving topics they are personally concerned about or
involved in; use of research as a therapeutic action could
influence the outcome of the research.
• Students approach sample collection and interviewing without a
good background of safety precautions in research.
• Students seek to use family and friends for research purposes
and run into issues of confidentiality.
 Activity
• Title of Research
• Student Researcher’s Name
• Purpose of the Study
• Procedures
• Confidentiality
• Note about voluntary nature of participation
• Note about risk and benefits of the study
• Note about inquiries from research participants
• Participant’s agreement statement

I have read and understood the information about the study and my participation in
the study. I voluntarily agree to participate in this study.
Date
• Note on instructions on how to communicate a participant’s informed
consent to participate in the study.