Presented for 2014 E.C University principal investigator: Organized by Research, Publication and Technology Transfer Directorate Office.

1. MINSITRY OF EDUCATION-ETHIOPIA
KEBRI DEHAR UNIVERSITY
February 10, 2022 @Kebri Dehar University 1

2. Presentation Outline
Introduction
Concept of Ethics and Research
Basic Principles of Research Ethics
Conclusion
References
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3. Introduction
 Research is a systematization of scientific morality in
practice.
 Research ethics specify a basic norms and values of the
research community.
 Even though, research ethics based on general scientific ethics
it based on the morality of the society at large.
 Any research on human subject should minimize the harms
and risks, and maximize the benefits, respect of dignity,
privacy, autonomy of the participants.
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What exactly is research
Ethics ?

5. Ethics
 Ethics, is the branch of philosophy; systematic study of what is right
and good with respect to character and conduct.
 Ethics, also can be defined as a branch of philosophy which deals
with examination of human conduct (www.iep.utm.edu/ethics )
 The terms “Ethics” and “Morality” may used interchangeable to
refers to idea about how humans ought to act.
 Ethics and Morality may not be always used consistently in every
day life.
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Ethics Versus Morality

7. Areas of Ethics
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Three areas
of Ethics
Meta-ethics: focus on the definition of ethical
terms themselves (What is goodness?) how can I
distinguish good and bad.
Applied ethics: focus on application of ethics on
specific field (Bioethics, Environmental ethics,
business ethics, engineering, Agriculture)
Normative ethics: Is the study of ethical acts.
Focus on the question “ what is right to do?”

8. What is research?
We can define research as an activity of systematic investigation that
seeks answers to a problem.
We all encounter research in our daily lives……. Yes or No ?
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9. Research Ethics
• A code of guidelines on how to conduct scientific research
in a morally acceptable way
• Principles and standards that help researchers to uphold
the value and standards of knowledge construction.
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10. ANOTHER WAY OF LOOKING AT RESEARCH ETHICS IS
BY LOOKING AT UNETHICAL RESEARCH CONDUCT
 Deception (issues of full disclosure)
• Withholding information about the aim of the study
• Misleading participants about the risks inherent in participating in
the study
 Plagiarism
 Conducting research that does not have a scientific base (ill-
formed problem statement)
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11. CONT….
 Lack of objectivity and integrity in the design and conduct of
research
• Not identifying the methodological constraints of the study that
determine the validity of the findings
• Misinterpretation of results
• Not providing details of theories and methods that might be
relevant in the interpretation of research findings
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12. CONT…
 Fabrication or falsification of data
 Not following the appropriate ascription of authorship to a
publication
 Not respecting the right to privacy
 Not respecting the right to anonymity and confidentiality
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13. CONT..
 Not respecting rights of vulnerable groups
• Children
• Mentally handicapped individuals
• The aged
• Prisoners
• Illiterate
• Those with low social status
 Not having due consideration for the environment
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14.  Basic Principles of Research Ethics
 A way of conducting the research enterprise such that the three
fundamental principles of research should be considered:-
1. Respect for person (Autonomy)
2. Beneficence
3. Justice
 Ethical research must conform with the national and
international accords and prescripts.
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15. 1. RESPECT
 According to this principle, study participants have the right to
be informed and give consent.
 Not every individual is capable to self-decide Conditions in
case they have no capacity to reach self decision (Children,
prisoners i.e..).
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16. CONT..
Respect for persons entails
 Voluntary participation free of
 coercion
 occurs when an overt threat of harm is intentionally presented
to obtain compliance.
 undue influence
 occurs through an offer excessive or improper reward to obtain
compliance.
 includes actions like manipulating a person’s choice through
influencing close relative and threatening to withdraw health
services
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17. 2. Beneficence
 The principle is to maximize benefits and minimize harms and
wrongs, i.e, (NO HARM)
 Making efforts to secure the well-being of research
participants
 Requires risk/benefit assessment
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18. Component of Beneficence
1. Benefits
 Beneficiaries (participant, the community, the country)
 Forms of benefits (monetary, health care, capacity building,
psychological like hope)
 Magnitude of benefits (compensation, undue inducement)
 Duration of benefits (short term, long term)
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19. CONT..
2. Risks
 To whom (participant, community)
 Types (physical, social like stigma, psychological like worry,
economic like loss of job)
 Magnitude
 Population exposed (e.g., vulnerable group)
 Duration (temporary, permanent)
 Monitoring (safety net like DSMB, measures to be taken)
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20. CONT..
 For any research ---====---------------------
 The benefits and risks must be balanced and
shown to be in a favorable ratio
 Befit ≥ Risk
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21. 3. JUSTICE
 The principle of justice is applied in the selection of research
participants
 The principle is to treat each person in accordance with what
is morally right and acceptable, i.e., distribute justice,
equitable distribution of both burdens and benefits of
participation in research
 Fairness in distribution i.e. avoids denial of benefit and
imposing of burden unduly
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22. Components of Justice
1. Individual justice-in selection of participants
2. Social Justice-classes in in research participation
3. Research should not use underprivileged persons/classes
to benefit the privileged
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23. CONT..
 Therefore justice shall prevail in
 The Involvement of local researcher and community
 The selection of research participants
 In the use of randemization and sample selection
 Provision of standard of care to participants
 Compensation for research participants
 Post trial responsibility
 Memorandum of understanding
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24. CONCLUSION
 The three principles of research ethics are respect for persons,
beneficence and justice
 Respect for persons addresses voluntariness and confidentiality
 Beneficence focuses on risk/benefit ratio
 Justice deals with equitable burdens and benefits to research
participants
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25. REFRENCES
1. GCU .(2015). Research Ethics Principles and Procedures: University's
Revised 2014-2015
2. Zeuschner, R.B. (2001). Classical Ethics East and West from the comparative
perspective.
3. University of Minnesota Office of the Vice President for Research website
(curriculum on authorship written by Mark Dworkin).
www.research.umn.edu/curriculum. Accessed 2/06/03.
4. Prof Pumela Msweli .(2020). Research Ethics: A Comprehensive Guide for
Masters and Doctoral Students. Presented for UNISA teaching Tuesday
program.
5. Dr. Yemane Teklai. (2021). Basic Principles of Research Ethics. Presented for
MoSHE research ethics conferences.
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