ETHICAL

CONSIDERATIONS
 INTRODUCTION
• A declaration of the researcher to protect the research respondents
(human, institution, ecology) from all forms of research-related harm.
 In conducting the research study, it is vital to prioritize the well-being and rights
of the respondents that will be involved. As the researcher, adhering to the nine ethical
considerations and following the rules set by the institutional research ethics committee
is crucial to ensure that the study is conducted ethically and responsibly bound to the
guidelines and regulations to protect research respondents set forth by the Department of
Science and Technology (DOST) - Philippine Health Research Ethics Board (PHREB).
Following these guidelines and regulations is not only a legal requirement but also a
moral obligation to protect the dignity and well-being of the research respondents.
 SOCIAL VALUE
• Embodiment of scientific validity
• Relevance to the community and national needs
(macro – regional, national, and global and micro –
respondent/participant)
 Conducting a study centered on environmental or sustainability consciousness is
significant as it can help everyone understand human activities impact on the
environment and the importance of sustainability for the planet Earth. This awareness
can inspire every human to become responsible and active citizens who can contribute to
preserving and protecting planet Earth. The Commission on Higher Education (CHED)
can benefit from the study by using the findings to develop policies and programs that
promote sustainability in higher education institutions and integrate environmental and
sustainability education into the curriculum. This study will let the student realize the
need to become an environmentally responsible and conscious individual who can
promote sustainable practices and behaviors toward the environment, contributing to the
preservation and protection of planet Earth for the people of today and future
generations.
 INFORMED
•
CONSENT/ASSENT
Embodiment of Voluntariness (absence of coercion and undue influence)
• Comprehensibility of Information (use of native and non-technical language)
• Capacity to Decide (of legal age and/or of sound mind)
• Administration and Procurement of Informed Consent and Assent
• Index of Agreement (Indicator of the manifestation of consent and assent
 Informed consent is essential for the research respondents as it ensures that
they are fully aware of the purpose, risks, and benefits of participating in this study,
withdrawing, and willingness to give their voluntary and informed agreement to
participate. The researcher will ensure that this study's informed consent is crafted
clearly, and free from technical terms that might lead to confusion. The respondents
of this study are already of legal age. Before the administration of the survey
questionnaire, informed consent will be given to every target respondent through the
use of Google Forms; the same platform will also be utilized for the procurement of
the electronic form. The index of agreement is ticking the box below the electronic
form instead of attaching an image of their original signature, affirming that the
respondent is willing to be part of the study.
 RISK, BENEFITS,
AND SAFETY
• Embodiment of an assessment of risks, a favorable risk-benefit ratio
• Access of respondents/participants to favorable research outcomes
 The respondents might feel uncomfortable filling out forms and participating in the survey.
There is also a probability that their school-related workloads might be affected. Additionally, they
will use their money to have an internet subscription to access the informed consent and survey form.
The researcher recognizes that the study comes with minimal risk to the respondents, specifically
personal, academic, and economic risks. On a brighter note, the researcher will alleviate the risk by
allowing the respondent to fill out and send their response to the survey at their most convenient time.
They will also be given a heads up that they are free to use the institutional WIFI, so they will not be
spending their money on internet subscriptions. Participating in environmental or sustainability
consciousness research can benefit students by increasing their understanding of their attitudes and
behaviors toward environmental issues. It can also help them recognize their role in contributing to
environmental problems and identify areas for improvement in their sustainability practices.
Additionally, by contributing to scientific research on environmental issues, students can feel
empowered and have the agency to create positive change.
 PRIVACY AND
CONFIDENTIALITY OF
INFORMATION
• Respect for the right to privacy
• Mechanisms to protect confidentiality of the identity of the
respondents/participants and the data
 The protection of this study's research respondents will be the focus of the lead researcher.
With this, she will ensure that respondents' rights for privacy and confidentiality are upheld to the
highest standard and are viewed as paramount in this research and will be, at all times, at the forefront
of her mind, consistent with the Data Privacy Act of 2012. No personal information will be collected,
and most especially, respondents will never be explicitly identified in the study for any identifiers that
might link responses to a specific respondent will be removed right away, respondents’ names will be
substituted with numbers. All printed research-related documents will be stored in an envelope and
kept in the researcher's cabinet, secured with a padlock. For computer-based research-related
documents, the researcher's Google account will be used along with her laptop, which is also
password-protected. All the documents in this research will not be stored for a longer time; once the
study is completed, the printed research-related documents will be shredded, and computer-based
research-related documents will be deleted in the researcher's drive, document folder and recycle bin.
 JUSTICE
• Fairness of the selection process
• Appropriate care
• Compensation, Reimbursement, and Incentives
• Access to Benefits
• Acknowledgment of Participation
 There will be an equal opportunity for the respondents to be chosen since the researcher will
employ a random sampling technique. Concerning this, the researcher will adhere to the following
inclusion criteria, the respondent's sex could be male or female, 18 years old and above, a bonafide
college student in a higher education institution recognized by the Commission on Higher Education,
active student for the academic school year 2022-2023, taking up Science, Technology, and Society
(STS) subject regardless of the degree, and willing to participate in the study through giving his or
her consent. On the other hand, the researcher will observe the exclusion criteria, 17 years old and
below, experiencing a medical condition that would limit his or her engagement, does not have any
interest in the study, and shows a refusal to give his or her informed consent. The researcher will
provide clear instructions and support to respondents to ensure their comfort and safety during the
study and to promptly address any research-related concerns or issues that might arise in the conduct
of the study by reaching out to the researcher, may it be through sending a direct message, call, or
through the social media platform. The respondents will be given a special thank you message that
will be attached to the Google survey from the moment they can send their final response and in the
acknowledgment section of the research as well.
•
TRANSPARENCY
Management of Conflict of Interest
• Sharing of Relevant Information to Respondents/ Participants
• Honesty in Participation
• Suitability of Dissemination Plan
• Disclosure of Research Results
 The researcher is not directly blood-related or in a personal relationship with her research
adviser, technical panel, and respondents. The study is also not funded by private or public agencies;
the researcher personally funds it. The researcher is dedicated to maintaining the integrity of the
research; with this, the conflict of interests will be disclosed to the relevant parties, such as the
institutional review board, research panel, adviser, and respondents. The researcher will also
minimize or eliminate the conflict by recusing herself from certain aspects of the research or ensuring
that the study design and data analysis are conducted independently. The result of the study will be
sent to the respondent's email directly, as long as they prefer to have a copy of it. The researcher is
open to presenting her study at local, national, and international research conferences. . A final printed
copy of the study will be given to the School of Graduate Studies or the institution where the
researcher is currently enrolled, as well as to the Commission on Higher Education. Moreover, she is
also open to publishing her study in trusted research journals.
 QUALIFICATION OF
RESEARCHER
• Appropriate Education, Training, and Experience of the Researcher
• Technical Assistance Provided to the Researcher
 The researcher obtained a baccalaureate degree in Bachelor of Secondary Education major in
Biological Science, where she was also able to conduct a quasi-experimental study related to her
field. She is also a full-fledged licensed-professional teacher and currently finishing her master's
degree, namely a Master of Arts in Education major in Teaching General Science. The researcher is
enrolled in Thesis Proposal Writing and Defense (Thesis A), wherein her research adviser and
technical panel guide her. The researcher participated in research-related lectures, seminars,
workshops, and training. More than the academic qualifications, the researcher is determined to
uphold high standards of ethical conduct in her research activities and will not, by any means, commit
to scientific misconduct.
 ADEQUACY OF
FACILITIES
• Availability of Facilities that are Supportive of Protocol Procedures
and Well-Being of the Participants/Respondents
 There will be no physical facilities that will be used in this study. Informed consent and
survey questionnaire will be sent through the use of the Google Form platform. Respondents are free
to use whatever smart gadgets they have that are convenient for them, whether a cellular phone,
tablet, laptop, or even a personal/desktop computer. The gadgets must be primarily internet powered.
They are also given the decision to participate in the comfort of their homes, as long as this is their
preference.
 COMMUNITY
INVOLVEMENT
• Respect for local traditions and culture of the community of
respondents/participants in the formulation of questionnaires and
administration of the same
• Empowerment to the community of respondents
 The construction of the survey questionnaire and the conduct of this research study will
adhere to the ethical standards and will avoid at all cost and by all means any form of discrimination
or prejudice. The researcher will ensure that survey questions and study methods are inclusive of all
respondents, regardless of their race, gender, sexual orientation, preferences, religion, political views,
or cultural background. This will involve taking steps such as using inclusive language, avoiding
assumptions about respondents' identities or experiences, and providing options for respondents to
self-identify or opt out of specific questions. By prioritizing inclusivity and avoiding prejudice, the
researcher will be able to ensure that this study accurately reflects the experiences and perspectives of
all target respondents. The educational sector can benefit significantly and will be empowered by this
study focusing on environmental literacy, policy, and sustainable consciousness. This study will equip
students with the knowledge and skills to understand and address pressing environmental challenges.
By integrating these topics into curricula and promoting sustainability practices on campuses,
educational institutions can also serve as leaders in creating a greener Earth and a more sustainable
future for all.