Ethical Principles of Research



The general principles of research ethics are:

Honesty

 

Being honest with the beneficiaries and respondents. Being honest about the findings and methodology of the research. Being honest with other direct and indirect stakeholders.
IntegrityEnsuring honesty and sincerity. Fulfilling agreements and promises. Do not create false expectations or make false promises.
Objectivity

 

Avoiding bias in experimental design, data analysis, data interpretation, peer review, and other aspects of research.
Informed consent
  • Informed consent means that a person knowingly, voluntarily and intelligently gives consent to participate in a research.
  • Informed consent is related to the autonomous right of the individual to participate in the research.
  • Informing the participant about the research objective, their role, benefits/harms (if any) etc.
Respect for person/respondentIt includes:

  • autonomy, which requires that those who are capable of deliberation about their personal goals should be treated with respect for their capacity for self-determination; and
  • protection of persons with impaired or diminished autonomy, which requires that those who are dependent or vulnerable be afforded security against harm or abuse.
BeneficenceMaximize the benefits of the participants. Ethical obligation to maximize possible benefits and to minimize possible harms to the respondents.
Non-maleficence/ Protecting the subjects (human)Do no harm. Minimize harm/s or risks to the human. Ensure privacy, autonomy and dignity.
Responsible publicationResponsibly publishing to promote and uptake research or knowledge. No duplicate publication.
Protecting anonymityIt means keeping the participant anonymous. It involves not revealing the name, caste or any other information about the participants that may reveal his/her identity.

 

ConfidentialityProtecting confidential information, personnel records. It includes information such as:

  • Introduction and objective of the research
  • Purpose of the discussion
  • Procedure of the research
  • Anticipated advantages, benefits/harm from the research (if any)
  • Use of research
  • Their role in research
  • Right to refuse or withdraw
  • Methods which will be used to protect anonymity and confidentiality of the participant
  • Freedom to not answer any question/withdraw from the research
  • Who to contact if the participant needs additional information about the research.
Non-discriminationAvoid discrimination on the basis of age, sex, race, ethnicity or other factors that are violation of human rights and are not related to the study.
OpennessBe open to sharing results, data and other resources. Also accept encouraging comments and constructive feedback.
Carefulness and respect for intellectual propertyBe careful about the possible error and biases.

Give credit to the intellectual property of others. Always paraphrase while referring to others article, writing. Never plagiarize.

JusticeThe obligation to distribute benefits and burdens fairly, to treat equals equally, and to give reasons for differential treatment based on widely accepted criteria for just ways to distribute benefits and burdens.

Last modified: Wednesday, 1 September 2021, 11:39 PM