Research ethics is the section of applied ethics that deals with human research. The term “research” in this context generally refers to social science research, as opposed to biomedical or clinical research. Research ethics is distinctive from medical ethics, which is concerned with the ethical standards for the practice of allopathic medicine, and veterinary medicine, which addresses the ethical norms of veterinary science and practice.
Research ethics are important. For science to progress, researchers must follow ethical standards that promote the values essential to collaborative work: trust, accountability, mutual respect, and fairness.
The ethics of research is a matter of protecting individuals and groups who might be affected by its conduct, ensuring that the interests of these vulnerable people are protected and promoted.
Ethical standards benefit not only research participants, the end-users of research, but also the scientists, human subjects experts, administrative personnel, and others who are engaged in the research enterprise. The importance of ethical behavior transcends national boundaries and disciplinary boundaries.
Ethical research standards help us to avoid problems and conflicts, ensure that research participants are treated with respect, promote efficient use of human and financial resources, and enhance the scientific and scholarly reputations of individuals, institutions, and entire disciplines.
Research ethics, also known as ethical standards of research, are standards for the conduct of research set by governments, institutions, or funding agencies. Research ethics, by fostering the responsible conduct of research and its application, contribute to science being a powerful tool in the improvement of human health and well-being.
Research ethics involve a set of standards that do not change in their meaning, purpose, or necessity across countries and time. The norms are adaptable and subject to revision as society changes. The norms are also obligatory rather than aspirational. Research ethics incorporate the best thinking from many disciplines including philosophy, religious doctrine, law, medicine, anthropology, sociology, business and public policy.
Many of the ethical norms ensure that researchers can be held accountable to the public. Policies on research misconduct, conflicts of interest, the human subjects protections, and animal care and use are necessary in order to make sure that researchers who are funded by public money can be held accountable to the public.
Social and clinical value: The social value of research rests with its ability to answer a specific question for the general public, to address or resolve a health problem that affects large numbers of people. The clinical value of research is related to its contribution to scientific knowledge, and to the development of new methods that would lead either to therapeutic strategies or tools for diagnosing, preventing, or treating disease.
Fair subject selection: The principle of fair subject selection is a widely recognized cornerstone of research ethics. This principle is concerned with the way in which participants are selected or recruited to take part in a study. Researchers should not exclude participants on the basis of characteristics unrelated to the goals of the study, such as their sex, ethnicity or age. In addition, if there will be any benefits to research participants beyond those they receive for taking part, then these should be made available equally to all.
Favourable risk-benefit ratio: The only sure way to protect research participants and oneself from the risks of research involved, is through a favorable research risk-benefit ratio. The first approach to the assessment of this criterion for participation in a clinical trial is to examine the potential risks and benefits associated with not taking part in the research.
Independent review: The Independent review panel for medical research and trial methodology is a specific type of independent expert committee, to assess the ethics and methodology of clinical trials conducted in accordance with applicable international standards. This includes data safety monitoring, adherence to protocols, and requirements about informed consent.
Informed consent: The Principle of Informed Consent focuses on the process among investigators, research participants, and sponsoring agents when implementing a clinical trial. This principle calls for establishing procedures for obtaining informed consent by the research participants. It also dictates that the potential participants are given ample opportunities to ask questions about the purpose of the research and related risks. This fundamental principle treats participants as legitimate decision-makers who have the right to make decisions about their own bodies.
Respect for potential and enrolled participants: Respect for potential and enrolled participants in medical research includes respecting their interests, values, dignity, beliefs, needs, culture, and language. This includes respecting privacy, ensuring the confidentiality of information about the study participants and the participants' biological samples.
Honesty: A researcher has a responsibility to report data, results, methods and procedures honestly. This is also called reporting an accurate account of the work. It is important that all research participants are told what will happen in research before they agree to take part.
Objectivity: The principles of research ethics involve objectivity. The first principle within this is to strive to avoid any bias in the experiment design, data analysis, data interpretation and peer review etc. The second principle is that it is also a requirement to disclose personal or financial interests that may affect research.
