Ethics refers to moral principles that govern behavior and distinguish between right and wrong actions. Research ethics specifically deals with values and regulations that constitute and govern scientific work. Ethical considerations in research are important to protect the rights and wellbeing of all people involved, minimize potential harm, and maintain integrity and honesty without bias or deception. Ethics is about commitment to positive communal values through rational principles and power sharing, rather than negative codes, personal feelings, or reliance on outside authorities. It is a problem-solving educational process within a moral community.

2. Definition:
 ETHICS- Greek word: ethos=custom or convention, or the spirit
of community.
 Oxford dictionary (2014): Moral principles that govern a
person’s behaviour or the conducting of an activity.
 The American Dictionary of cultural Literacy(2005): The branch
of philosophy that deals with morality. Ethics is concerned with
distinguishing between good and evil in the world, between right
and wrong human actions, and between virtuous and non
virtuous characteristics of people.
 Research ethics refers to a diverse set of values, norms and
institutional regulations that helps to constitute and to regulate
scientific activity.

3. Why are Ethical Considerations Important?
Fieldwork and research involves the pursuit of truth and
ethical questions and concerns should be considered at
each stage of the process
To protect the rights and wellbeing of the people
involved in research, including the researcher.
To minimise any potential harm from the research to
people or the environment.
To maintain integrity and honesty and avoid bias and
deception.

4. What ethics is and what it is not
WHAT ETHICS IS WHAT ETHICS IS NOT
About commitment to positive values About negative code of conduct, moral
prohibitions, disciplinary rules.
A communal activity, applying rational
principles and universal standards to
social life.
A private matter, nor about subjective
feelings, personal attitudes and
choices.
About real power relations and
responsible power sharing.
Introspective self examination, or
judging one;s or other;s moral state.
About active participation in a moral
community
Personal reliance on experts, lawers,
philosophers or religious authorities.
Problem solving activity Interminable disputes, or insoluble
dilemma
An educational process Occult processes.