Ethics in Research

1. Ethics With Respect To Science And Research
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Prince George Thomas
Research Scholar
(Reg.No.160/2022)
Rajagiri College of Social Sciences
Kakkanad
Kochi
Date: 30-03-2023

2. Ethics
• Greek word ‘ethos’ - character or conduct
• Philosophical study of morality
• Morality - ‘good’ or ‘evil’
• Acceptable and unacceptable behavior or way of conducting a task
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3. • Study of goodness & right action
• Latin word ‘rectus’ - ‘straight’ or ‘according to rule’
• Rules are the means
• An end or goal as well
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4. • Right (according to rule) is the mean of conduct
• Good - everything useful or serviceable for some purpose
• Ethics - end or goal of life
• ‘Summum bonum’
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5.  Normative science:
- what ought to be done rather than what is the case
- standard or norms decide right and wrong
 Science of character:
- deals with judgements about human conduct
- right is the basic concept
- act in accordance with laws
- laws are for the attainment of good
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6.  Not a practical science:
- not realization of an end
- guides us to achieve a specific goal
- what the ultimate goal of life is?
- how this can be reached?
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7.  Ethics is not an art:
Art
- depends upon result
- deals with acquisition of skill to
produce objects
- possession of skill is important
Ethics
- based on motive
- consists of goodness
- virtue implies activity
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8. Research
 An inquiry:
- discovery and interpretation of facts
- revision of accepted theories or laws in the light of new facts
- practical application of new or revised theories or laws
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9. Research Ethics
- Acceptable Vs. unacceptable way of conducting a task
- vary across countries, government, disciplines, institutions,
laboratories
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 Ethics “Dumping”
- to circumvent the regulations, policies, or processes

10. Importance
- Promote knowledge and truth
- Promote trust, respect, and objectivity in a collaborative
work environment
- Help maintain the safety and interest of human and animal subjects
- Make researchers accountable for quality and outcome of research
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11. Ethics with respect to Science and Research
- duty to society;
- beneficence;
- conflict of interest;
- informed consent;
- integrity;
- nondiscrimination;
- non exploitation;
- privacy and confidentiality;
- professional competence;
- professional discipline
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12. • Duty to society;
- must contribute to the well-being of society
eg: Biological weapons
• Beneficence
- welfare of the research participant in mind
- benefits should outweigh the risks
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13. • Conflict of Interest
- minimize financial and other influences
- could bias research results
eg: free medical tests, publishing opportunities, professional
opportunities etc.
• Informed Consent
- voluntarily agree to participate
- understanding of the research and its risks
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14. • Integrity
- demonstrate honesty and truthfulness
- fabrication of data, falsify results, or omit relevant data
plagiarism
• Non discrimination
- minimize attempts to reduce benefits of research on specific groups
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15. • Non exploitation
- should not exploit, or take unfair advantage of, research participants
- One population to benefit another
• Privacy and Confidentiality
- Participants control how others see, touch, or obtain their information
- Protect private information provided by participants from release
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Privacy paradox- high levels of interest in protecting personal information, yet freely give it
away

16. • Professional Competence
- engage only in work that one is qualified to perform
• Professional Discipline
- promoting ethical behaviors through practice, publishing and
communicating, mentoring and teaching
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17. Policy Makers
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Food and Drug Administration
Committee On

18. Code of Ethics in Research
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19.  Integrity:
- Promises and obligations of agreements
- Sincerity and consistency in actions and thoughts
 Honesty:
- Research data, results, methods, procedures, and publication
status honestly
- Avoid falsification, fabrication, and misrepresentation of research
output
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20.  Objectivity:
- Avoid bias in experiment/study design, data analysis, data
interpretation, peer review, personnel decisions, and writing
- Disclose both personal and financial interests
 Competence:
- Improve expertise
- Take effective steps to advance competence in the field
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21.  Carefulness:
- Maintain a record of research activities including data collection
and correspondences with journals
- Examine work thoroughly with peers
 Openness:
- Share data, results, tools, resources, and ideas
 Legality:
- Adhere to governmental and institutional laws/policies
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22.  Confidentiality:
- Information such as patient records, trade or military secrets,
grant applications, papers submitted for publication
 Non-discrimination:
- Based on gender, sex, ethnicity, race, or religion
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23.  Respect for Intellectual Property:
- Plagiarism
- Credit the original author/creator
- Patent, copyright, trademark etc..
 Responsible Publication:
- Avoid duplicate publication
 Responsible Mentoring:
- Encourage, educate, mentor, and advise students
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24.  Social Responsibility:
- Advocate and advance public interests and health through
research
 Animal Care:
- Respect and care for animals
- Avoid bad study designs and experiments
 Human Subjects Protection:
- Respect, confidentiality, welfare, and dignity in clinical studies
- Minimize any risk/harm.
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