This document discusses ethical issues in research methodology. It defines ethics as principles of conduct considered correct by a given profession. These principles aim to prevent harm and maintain confidentiality. The document identifies key stakeholders in research as the research participants, researcher, and funding body. Regarding participants, it addresses issues like informed consent, incentives, sensitivity of information collected, and potential for harm. For researchers, it discusses bias avoidance, appropriate methodology and reporting. For sponsoring organizations, it considers restrictions and misuse of information. Overall the document provides an overview of important ethical considerations in conducting research.

1. KNOWLEDGE FOR THE BENEFIT OF HUMANITYKNOWLEDGE FOR THE BENEFIT OF HUMANITY
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY (HFS4343)
ETHICAL ISSUES
Dr.Dr. MohdMohd RazifRazif ShahrilShahril
School of Nutrition & DieteticsSchool of Nutrition & Dietetics
Faculty of Health SciencesFaculty of Health Sciences
UniversitiUniversiti SultanSultan ZainalZainal AbidinAbidin
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2. S C H O O L O F N U T R I T I O N A N D D I E T E T I C S • U N I V E R S I T I S U L T A N Z A I N A L A B I D I N
Topic Learning Outcomes
At the end of this lecture, students should be able to;
• define the concept of ethics
• identify stakeholders in research
• explain ethical issues to consider concerning research
participants
• explain ethical issues to consider relating to the
researcher
• explain issues to consider regarding the sponsoring
organization
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3. S C H O O L O F N U T R I T I O N A N D D I E T E T I C S • U N I V E R S I T I S U L T A N Z A I N A L A B I D I N
The concept of ethics
• Ethical means in accordance with
principles of conduct that are
considered correct, especially those of
a given profession or group
– What are these principles of conduct?
– Who determines them?
– In whose judgement must they be
considered correct?
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4. S C H O O L O F N U T R I T I O N A N D D I E T E T I C S • U N I V E R S I T I S U L T A N Z A I N A L A B I D I N
What are the principles of conduct?
• Any dilemma stemming from a moral quandary is a
basis of ethical conduct
• Certain behaviours considered unethical;
– Causing harm to individuals
– Breaching confidentiality
– Using information inappropriately
– Introducing bias
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5. S C H O O L O F N U T R I T I O N A N D D I E T E T I C S • U N I V E R S I T I S U L T A N Z A I N A L A B I D I N
Whose judgment?
• Overall body of professionals or organization that
collectively develops a professional code of conducts ad
forms a judgement as to whether or not it is being
followed
• E.g.;
– Medical Research and Ethics Committee (MREC), Ministry of
Health Malaysia
– UniSZA Human Research and Ethics Committee (UHREC)
– Jawatankuasa Etika dan Penyelidikan Manusia (JePEM)
Universisiti Sains Malaysia
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6. S C H O O L O F N U T R I T I O N A N D D I E T E T I C S • U N I V E R S I T I S U L T A N Z A I N A L A B I D I N
Stakeholders in research
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TheThe
fundingfunding
bodybody
The researcherThe researcher
The researchThe research
participantsparticipants

7. S C H O O L O F N U T R I T I O N A N D D I E T E T I C S • U N I V E R S I T I S U L T A N Z A I N A L A B I D I N
Stakeholders in research
• The research participants
– All those with direct and indirect involvement in a research study
– Those who are likely to be affected by the findings of a study
– Service providers, service managers and planners
– Communities providing information to help a researcher to gain
understanding of a phenomenon etc.
• The researcher
– Anyone who collects information for the specific purpose of
understanding, consolidation, enhancement and development of
professional knowledge
• The funding body
– Responsible for financing a research activity
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8. S C H O O L O F N U T R I T I O N A N D D I E T E T I C S • U N I V E R S I T I S U L T A N Z A I N A L A B I D I N
Ethical issues concerning research
participants
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CollectingCollecting
informationinformation
SeekingSeeking
consentconsent
ProvidingProviding
incentivesincentives
SeekingSeeking
sensitivesensitive
informationinformation
Possibility ofPossibility of
harmharm
MaintainingMaintaining
confidentialityconfidentiality

9. S C H O O L O F N U T R I T I O N A N D D I E T E T I C S • U N I V E R S I T I S U L T A N Z A I N A L A B I D I N
Ethical issues relating to researcher
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Avoiding biasAvoiding bias
Provision orProvision or
deprivation ofdeprivation of
a treatmenta treatment
InappropriateInappropriate
researchresearch
methodologymethodology
IncorrectIncorrect
reportingreporting
InappropriateInappropriate
use of theuse of the
informationinformation

10. S C H O O L O F N U T R I T I O N A N D D I E T E T I C S • U N I V E R S I T I S U L T A N Z A I N A L A B I D I N
Ethical issues regarding sponsoring
organization
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RestrictionRestriction
imposed by theimposed by the
sponsoringsponsoring
organisationorganisation
The misuse ofThe misuse of
informationinformation

11. Thank YouThank You
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