What is Research Ethics?

Research Ethics

Research ethics is simply an acceptance of standards of social or professional behaviour. Research Ethics involves the application of basic ethical principles (such as protecting the data, names of respondents and other details) to a variety of topics involving research, including social studies. Unethical research conflicts with ethical norms, such as the protection of research participants, the treatment of research animals, respondent’s confidentiality, consent to take part or withdraw from a study or informing participants about the nature of the survey.

Oxford English Dictionary,  defines ‘ethics’ as:

• The science of morals; the department of study concerned with the principles of human duty.
• The moral principles or system of a school of thought.
• The moral principles by which guides a person.
• The rules of conduct recognised in certain associations.
• In a wider sense: The whole field of moral science, including besides Ethics properly.

Ethical approval for research at universities

Students need ethical approval for conducting research. Ethical approval is essential for any primary studies. Ethical approval is to ensure that a student has a strategy to follow the principles of ethics such as Beneficence, Responsibility, Integrity, Justice and Respect. It also ensures that the design of the proposed research do not harm the rights of participants and the research is carried out in compliance with ethical principles. The main principles of ethics are

• Excellence in Research Ethics – This means being good to the people you interact for your It seeks to safeguard the welfare and rights of the participants of your research. A researcher is responsible for maintaining a professional interaction will other who are affected by the research.
• Cooperation in Research Ethics– a researcher, should be faithful and develop a relationship of trust with the participants of research. A researcher must accept appropriate responsibility for their behaviour and serve the best interest within the ethical compliance. This principle promotes the open exchange of ideas, Research Methods, data, results. However, it is subject to confidentiality in case of personal and sensitive information.
• Honesty in Research Ethics– the research should promote accuracy and honesty in the research practice such as data collection and analysis. This principle promotes avoidance of fraud activities, cheating, stealing and misrepresenting the facts within the study. Such activities must be avoided to maximise benefit and minimise harm to participants.
• Integrity in Research Ethics– this principle promotes the fairness and justice to all persons who can access the benefits from the contribution of study. Therefore, a researcher should take precautions while seeking the elimination of potential biases and ensure that any limitations should not lead to unfair practice.
• Care, Safety and Respect in Research Ethics– This means being good to the people you interact for your It seeks to safeguard the welfare and rights of the participants of your research. A researcher is responsible for maintaining a professional interaction will other who are affected by the research. A researcher should respect the dignity of all individuals with a right to privacy, confidentiality and self-determination. A researcher must be aware of and comply with the culture of individuals. Also, a researcher must promote equality in respect to people with role difference, and eliminate the effect of bias based on factors such as age, gender, race, identity, ethnicity, culture, region, sexual orientation, disability and language, etc.
• Accountabilityin Research Ethics- a researcher is accountable to ensure that the study complies with the terms and conditions of the project. The field of study should meet all relevant legal and ethical requirements. The researcher must conduct all research within the legal environment, and carefully reduce any potential harm to any participant or stakeholders.