Ethics in research

Ethics in research

This article aims to focus on the key issues concerning ethics in research. Research ethics is a broad term encompassing many ethical challenges that can arise during the research process. It is a fundamental aspect of any research project, ensuring that researchers conduct their work in a manner that respects the rights and dignity of all involved parties.

Concept of ethics in research

Research ethics refer to the moral principles guiding research from its inception through to completion and publication of results (The British Psychological Society, 2014).

Research ethics involves the application of fundamental ethical principles to research activities which include the design and implementation of research, respect towards society and others, the use of resources and research outputs, scientific misconduct, and the regulation of research (University of Stirling, 2023).

Understanding ethics in research involves acknowledging the potential impact of research on individuals, communities, and the environment, and making a concerted effort to prevent harm and misconduct.

Research ethics also include issues related to integrity, plagiarism, and the misuse of data. It promotes transparency, accountability, and integrity in the research process, making it an essential component of rigorous and reliable research.

Role of research ethics

The role of ethics is multifaceted encompassing various aspects of research. It provides a framework for conducting research responsibly and respectfully. It helps to ensure protection of the rights and welfare of research participants and respecting the environment and cultural norms.

Research ethics also serves to promote trust in the research process and its outcomes. It ensures that the research is reliable and valid. Moreover, it also plays a crucial role in maintaining public trust in research. When research is conducted ethically, it is more likely to be accepted and used by the public, policymakers, and other stakeholders.

Furthermore, the role of research ethics extends to the prevention and resolution of ethical problems in research. It provides guidance on how to handle ethical dilemmas, conflicts of interest, and allegations of misconduct. In this way, research ethics plays a vital role in maintaining the integrity and credibility of the research process.

Principles of research ethics

The principles of research ethics are the fundamental guidelines that should be followed in any research project. According to the Belmont Report, they include respect for persons, beneficence, and justice (University of Washington, 2023).

Respect for persons

Respect for persons involves recognising and respecting the autonomy and dignity of research participants. It includes obtaining informed consent and ensuring confidentiality.

Beneficence

Beneficence describes an obligation to protect subjects from harm by maximising possible benefits and minimizing possible harms (university of Washington, 2023). This principle requires researchers to consider the potential benefits and risks of their research and to strive to ensure that the benefits outweigh any potential harm.

Justice

Justice, on the other hand, involves ensuring that the benefits and risks of research are distributed fairly. It is about promoting equitable representation in research in terms of fairly distributing the risks and benefits of research (University of Washington, 2023).

Besides these primary principles, other important principles of research ethics include honesty, integrity, and transparency. These principles require researchers to report their findings accurately and honestly, to avoid misconduct such as fabrication or falsification of data, and to disclose conflicts of interest.

Ethical issues in research

Ethical issues in research can arise at any stage of the research process, from the planning and design of the research to the collection and analysis of data, and the reporting and publication of results. Some of the common ethical issues include informed consent, confidentiality, conflicts of interest, and the use of vulnerable populations in research.

Informed consent

Informed consent is a key ethical issue in research. It involves ensuring that research participants understand the purpose of the research, what their participation involves, any potential risks and benefits, and their rights, including the right to withdraw from the research at any time.

Confidentiality

Confidentiality is another important ethical issue. Researchers have a responsibility to protect the privacy of research participants and to keep their data confidential. This can be particularly challenging in fields such as clinical research, where sensitive personal information is often involved.

Conflict of interest

Conflicts of interest can also pose significant ethical challenges. These occur when a researcher has a personal or financial interest that could influence their research. Such conflicts can undermine the integrity and credibility of the research and need to be identified and managed appropriately.

Research proposal and ethical issues

Primary research often requires researchers to seek approval from an appropriate committee. Universities and other higher education institutes usually have research ethics committees (RECs) that play a crucial role in ensuring research ethics. They review and approve research projects, monitor ongoing research, and handle allegations of misconduct. They often require the research students to explain their positions regarding the following issues while developing their research proposal and subsequently conducting the primary research:

Deception

Deception in research refers to the practice of intentionally misleading research participants about the true purpose of a study or the nature of the procedures involved. The researcher needs to make it clear whether their research involves any degree of deception.

Deception can be justified in certain situations. For example, when there is no feasible alternative method to achieve the research objectives, or when the potential benefits of the research significantly outweigh the potential harm to participants. However, in such cases, it is crucial to implement safeguards to minimise harm and to debrief participants as soon as possible.

Consent

Informed consent is another cornerstone of ethical research practice. It requires that research participants be given sufficient information about a study, including its purpose, procedures, potential risks and benefits, to make a voluntary and informed decision about whether or not to participate.

Obtaining informed consent can be especially challenging when working with vulnerable populations, such as children or individuals with cognitive limitations. In such cases, researchers may need to obtain consent from a legally authorised representative. However, even in these situations, it is essential to respect the autonomy and dignity of the individuals as much as possible.

Debriefing

According to Cambridge Dictionary (2023) debriefing refers to a meeting that takes place in order to get information about a particular piece of work that has been finished. It is a process that occurs after the completion of a research, where participants are fully informed about the purpose of the research, the procedures used, and the results obtained.

Debriefing should occur as soon as possible after the completion of the study. However, in some cases, immediate debriefing may not be feasible or may even cause additional harm to participants. In such cases, researchers need to carefully consider its timing.

Withdrawal from Investigation

The ability of participants to withdraw from research at any time, without penalty or prejudice, is a fundamental ethical principle in research. This principle is based on the respect for individual autonomy and the recognition that individuals have the right to control what happens to them.

Researchers must make it clear to participants that they can withdraw from the study at any time, without providing a reason and without any negative consequences. Additionally, they must respect the decision of participants to withdraw and must not attempt to coerce or pressure them into continuing with the study.

Confidentiality

Confidentiality refers to the protection of participants’ personal information. This includes not only the information collected during the study, but also any information that could potentially identify participants, such as their names, addresses, or other identifying details.

Researchers must take steps to ensure that participants’ information is securely stored and that access to this information is limited to those who need it for the purposes of the study. Additionally, they must be transparent with participants about how their information will be used and protected.

Protection of participants

The protection of participants is a key aspect of research ethics. This includes not only physical protection, but also psychological and emotional protection. Researchers have a responsibility to minimise the potential harm to participants and to ensure that the benefits of the research outweigh any potential risks.

Giving advice

Researchers should avoid giving advice during a research study. They are usually expected to refer the research participants to appropriate and qualified professionals for any professional advice.

Research undertaken in public place

Research undertaken in public places presents unique ethical challenges. While public spaces are often seen as open to all, conducting research in these spaces may intrude on individuals’ privacy and may disrupt normal social interactions.

Ethical issues related to research undertaken in public places include obtaining consent, minimising intrusion, and respecting cultural norms and values. Researchers must be sensitive to the social dynamics of the public spaces in which they are conducting research and must take steps to minimise their impact on these spaces.

Data protection

Data protection refers to the practices and procedures used to ensure the security of research data. This includes protecting data from unauthorised access, accidental loss or destruction, and inappropriate use.

Researchers in the UK must ensure that they will comply with the Data Protection Act 2018 which is the UK’s implementation of the Europe’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Other countries have their own privacy laws which researchers must abide by.

Environmental protection

Environmental protection is an increasingly important aspect of research ethics, particularly in fields such as environmental science or ecology. Research activities can have significant impacts on the environment, and researchers have a responsibility to minimise those impacts.

Importance of research ethics in different fields

Clinical research

In the field of clinical research, research ethics is crucial in ensuring that studies are conducted in a way that respects the rights and welfare of participants, and that the benefits of the research outweigh any potential risks.

Environmental research

In the field of environmental research, research ethics can involve considerations related to the impact of the research on the environment, as well as issues related to the fair and equitable distribution of environmental benefits and burdens.

Social science research

In the social sciences, research ethics may involve issues related to the privacy and confidentiality of research participants, the informed consent process, and the potential impacts of the research on the communities involved.

Regardless of the field, research ethics plays a crucial role in ensuring that research is conducted with integrity, respect, and accountability, and that the findings are reliable and trustworthy.

Consequences of ignoring research ethics

Ignoring research ethics can have serious consequences. It can harm research participants, damage the credibility and integrity of the research, and undermine public trust in research. It can also lead to legal and professional consequences for the researchers involved.

Research participants who are harmed by unethical research may suffer physical, psychological, or social harm. They may also lose trust in the research process and be less likely to participate in future research.

The credibility and integrity of the research can also be damaged by unethical conduct. Research that is conducted unethically is less likely to be reliable, valid, and reproducible. This can undermine the value of the research and its potential contributions to knowledge and society.

Summary of ethics in research

In conclusion, ethical issues are inherent in any research proposal and require careful consideration and thoughtful decision-making. Researchers have a responsibility to balance their ambition to advance knowledge with their responsibility to protect the rights and well-being of research participants, as well as the integrity of the research process itself.

Universities and colleges have their own Ethics Form that research students need to complete before undertaking any primary research. The form usually contains most of the items listed and discussed above. The researchers need to explain how they would deal with the ethical issues in their research. Unconvincing propositions may result in the Research Proposal being rejected by the Ethics Committee.

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Last update: 16 November 2023

References:

Cambridge Dictionary (2023) Debriefing, available at: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/debriefing (accessed 01 November 2023)

The British Psychological Society (2014) Code of human research ethics, available at: https://www.ed.ac.uk/files/atoms/files/bps_code_of_human_research_ethics.pdf (accessed 02 November 2023)

University of Stirling (2023) Understanding ethics, available at: https://www.stir.ac.uk/research/research-ethics-and-integrity/understanding-ethics/ (accessed 02 November 2023)

University of Washington (2023) The Belmont Report, available at: https://www.washington.edu/research/hsd/guidance/ethical-principles/belmont/ (accessed 01 November 2023)

Author: M Rahman

M Rahman writes extensively online and offline with an emphasis on business management, marketing, and tourism. He is a lecturer in Management and Marketing. He holds an MSc in Tourism & Hospitality from the University of Sunderland. Also, graduated from Leeds Metropolitan University with a BA in Business & Management Studies and completed a DTLLS (Diploma in Teaching in the Life-Long Learning Sector) from London South Bank University.