Research ethics involves the application of fundamental ethical principles to a
variety of topics involving research, including scientific research. These
include the design and implementation of research involving human
experimentation, animal experimentation, various aspects of academic scandal,
including scientific misconduct, whistleblowing; regulation of research,
etc. Research ethics is most developed as a concept in medical research. The
key agreement here is the 1964 Declaration of Helsinki. The Nuremberg
Code is a former agreement, but with many still important notes. Research in
the social sciences presents a different set of issues than those in medical
research. The academic research enterprise is
built on a foundation of trust. Researchers trust that the results
reported by others are sound. Society trusts that the results of research
reflect an honest attempt by scientists and other researchers to describe the
world accurately and without bias. But this trust will endure only if the
scientific community devotes itself to exemplifying and transmitting the values
associated with ethical research conduct.
There are many ethical issues to be taken into serious consideration for
research. Sociologists need to be aware of having the responsibility to secure
the actual permission and interests of all those involved in the study. They
should not misuse any of the information discovered, and there should be a
certain moral responsibility maintained towards the participants. There is a
duty to protect the rights of people in the study as well as their privacy and
sensitivity. The confidentiality of those involved in the observation must
be carried out, keeping their anonymity and privacy secure. As pointed out in
the BSA for Sociology, all of these ethics must be honoured unless there are
other overriding reasons to do so - for example, any illegal or terrorist
activity. Research ethics in a medical context is
dominated by principlism, an approach that has been criticised as being
decontextualised. Research ethics is different throughout
different types of educational communities. Every community has its own
set of morals. In Anthropology research ethics were formed to protect those who
are being researched and to protect the researcher from topics or events that
may be unsafe or may make either party feel uncomfortable. It is a widely
observed guideline that Anthropologists use especially when doing ethnographic
fieldwork. Research informants participating in
individual or group interviews as well as ethnographic fieldwork are often
required to sign an informed consent form which outlines the nature of the
project. Informants are typically assured anonymity and will be referred
to using pseudonyms. There is however growing recognition that these formal
measures are insufficient and do not necessarily warrant a research project
'ethical'. Research with people should therefore not be based solely on
dominant and de-contextualised understandings of ethics, but should be
negotiated reflexively and through dialogue with participants as a way to
bridge global and local understandings of research ethics.
In Canada, there are many different types of research ethic boards that
approve applications for research projects. The most common document that
Canadian Universities follow is the Tri-Council Policy Statement. However,
there are other types of documents geared towards different educational
aspects such as: biology, clinical practices, bio-technics and even stem
cell research. The Tri-Council is actually the top three government grant
agencies in Canada. If one was to do research in Canada and apply for funds,
their project would have to be approved by the Tri-Council.
Furthermore, it is the researchers ethical responsibility to not harm the
humans they are studying, they also have a responsibility to science, and the
public, as well as to future students. Key issues
In terms of research publications, a number of key issues include and are not
restricted to: Honesty. Honesty and integrity is a duty
of each author and person, expert-reviewer and member of journal
editorial boards. Review process. The peer-review process
contributes to the quality control and it is an essential step to ascertain the
standing and originality of the research.
Ethical standards. Recent journal editorials presented some experience of
unscrupulous activities. Authorship. Who may claim a right to
authorship? In which order should the authors be listed?
See also Asilomar Conference on Recombinant DNA
Internet research ethics References and notes
External links TRREE-for Africa provides a
multilingual, free access and free training program on research ethics and
regulation with a focus on Sub-Saharian African countries.
Research Ethics section of the SHiPS website provides some useful resources,
including case studies relevant to scientific misconduct
Scientists for Global Responsibility INES Global
The Tri-Council Policy Statement UNESCO - Ethics of Science and
Technology Ethical Practice: Principles and
Guidelines for Research with Vulnerable Individuals and Families An ethical
protocol for social science research developed by the Centre for Children and
Families in the Justice System The Hinxton Group: An International
Consortium on Stem Cells, Ethics & Law Johns Hopkins Program in Research Ethics
Bibliography of peer-reviewed journal articles on the history of the use of
deception in research, as well as on the histories of experimental ethics.
http:www.researchethics.ca ResearchEthics.ca
http:www.researchethicsblog.com The Research Ethics Blog
Worse than Plagiarism: Firstness Claims and Dismissive Reviews
The Norwegian National Research Ethics Committees
Ethical guidelines for research