This document discusses research ethics and provides definitions and outlines of key topics in research ethics. It defines research ethics as the application of moral principles guiding research from inception to publication. It identifies the importance of ethics in protecting participants and building public support. The key principles of ethics discussed are consent, harm, privacy, and deception. Informed consent and minimizing risk of harm to participants are emphasized.

1. DIPLOMA IN MEDICAL
LABORATORY
TECHNOLOGY
AYO NELSON
RESEARCH ETHICS

2. DO
YOU
VALUE
Things?
Research Ethics

3. TOPIC OUTLINE:
1. Definition of Research
Ethics
2. Why study research
ethics?
3. Research Participants
4. Ethical Principles

4. • Research is defined as any form of disciplined inquiry
that aims to contribute to
a body of knowledge or theory.
Research is a social activity.
• Research is a scientific investigation of phenomena
which includes collection, presentation, analysis, and
interpretation of facts that links man’s speculation with
reality.
• ‘Research ethics’ refers to the moral principles guiding
research from its inception through to its completion
and publication of results and beyond.
Research and Research Ethics

5. Individuals from whom the researcher
may obtain data.
Through interaction (e.g., surveys)
Identifiable private information (e.g.,
student records)
“Effective and ethical relationships
will aid to make more rapid progress
on the project”
Research Participants

6. Ethics is defined as the norms for conduct that
distinguish between acceptable and
unacceptable behavior.
Ethics in research is actually the application of
ethical principles to a variety of topics
involving research.
– These include the design and implementation of
research
Ethics in Research

7. Is the application of fundamental principles to
a variety of topics involving research.
provides guidelines for the responsible conduct
of research.
Educates and monitors the conduct of research
to ensure high ethical standard.
Definition of Research
Ethics

8. Objectives of Research Objectives
• To protect human participants
• To ensure that research is conducted in that
serves interests of individuals, groups and or
society as a whole
• To examine specific research activities and
projects for their ethical soundness,
protection of confidentiality and the process
of informed consent.

9. Importance of Ethics in
Research
• Protects the vulnerable group and other study
participants
• Participants are safeguarded from exploitation
• Establishes risk-benefit ratio for the study subjects
• Ensure fullest respect, dignity, privacy, disclosure
and fair treatment for study subjects
• Build capacity of subjects to accept or reject
participation in the study
• Builds public support for research
• Promotes aims of research

10. Issues related to ethical concern in
research
• Plagiarism: is the use of someone else’s words or
ideas as your own without giving appropriate
credit or without the person’s consent to use his
or her words or ideas without acknowledgment
• Research with animals
• Falsification
• Research with human
• Authorship
• Data
• Misuse of privileged information

11. Why have ethical standards?
• Protect rights and welfare of participants
• Ensure accuracy of scientific knowledge
• Protect intellectual rights

12. Knowing what constitutes ethical research is
important for all people who conduct research
projects.
All researchers should be familiar with the basic
ethical principles and have up-to-date knowledge
about policies and procedures designed. WHY?..
 to ensure the safety of research subjects
and
 to prevent sloppy or irresponsible research
Why study research
ethics?

13. Research Ethics PRINCIPLES

14. CONSENT
Permission/ approval
HARM
Misbehaviour/safety
DECEPTION
dishonesty
PRIVACY
Secrecy/confidentiality

15. There are ethical principles that should be taken into
account when performing research.
PRINCIPLE ONE: Minimize the risk of harm
PRINCIPLE TWO: Obtain informed consent
PRINCIPLE THREE: Protect confidentiality or privacy
PRINCIPLE FOUR: Avoid deceptive practices
Principles of Research
Ethics

16. PRINCIPLES OF RESEARCH
ETHICS
1. Respect for autonomy
• Refers to the requirement to ensure that
research participants are entirely free to
make a choice about their participation in a
research study.
• In order to be in a position to make such a
choice they must be given sufficient
information about the research and what
participation involves, they have to be
sufficiently competent to understand this

17. CONT………
• They must also be free from influence or
coercion.
• In ethical terms this means that
researchers have to obtain ‘informed
consent’ and provide assurance that non-
participation or withdrawal from
participation can occur with no adverse
consequences for the participants.

18. • Obtain Informed consent from potential research participants.
– means that participants should understand that they are taking part
in research and what the research requires of them.
• When in doubt, ask for permission
• Consent should always be obtained in writing
• Elements:
– Capacity
• Ability: individual is competent enough to understand, evaluate, and make a
decision of whether to participate or not
• Age
– Information
• Is it complete/comprehensive and fully understood?
– Voluntariness
• Subjects have the choice to participate or withdraw and are aware of this choice
CONSENT

19. Informed Consent
To obtain informed consent you need to
provide the following to the participants:
1. Discuss to them the purpose of research
2. What they will be doing and for how long
3. Offer to withdraw at any time for any reason
4. Potential benefits to participants
5. Harm or risk of discomfort
6. How privacy will be protected
7. Instructions on how to get copy of results

20. The process of obtaining consent
1. Identify participant population
2. Produce information sheet and consent document
3. Obtain permission
4. Present research information to participant and discuss
its contents – indicating that withdrawal at any time is
possible
5. Answer participants questions
6. Give a copy of the consent document
7. Allow the participant time to consider
8. Meet participant and discuss documents, to answer any
more questions and assess participants understanding
9. Obtain appropriate signed consent
10. Start research
20

21. I have read the Information Sheet and have had the
details of the study explained to me. My questions
have been answered to my satisfaction, and I may
ask further questions at any time.
I understand I have the right to withdraw from the
study at any time and decline to answer any
particular questions.
I agree to provide information to the researcher(s)
on the understanding that my name will not be used
without my permission.
I agree/do not agree to the interview being recorded
electronically.
I understand that I have the right to ask for the tape
to be turned off at any time during the interview
I agree to participate in this study under the
conditions set out in the information sheet
Signature – Name - Date

22. 2. Non-maleficence
• The principle of non-maleficence means that
researchers have an obligation not to inflict harm
on their study participants.
• It could be argued that the use of some research
methods may cause minor discomfort or ‘harm’.
• For example taking a blood sample may cause
temporary discomfort, pain or bruising.
• Asking certain questions may cause psychological
‘harm’ such as embarrassment, distress or
unwelcome emotions.
• It is the researcher’s duty to weigh up the
potential for harm against the benefits of the study
and to come to a justifiable conclusion.

23. It is not harm that you need to think about since a researcher
does not intentionally go out to cause harm. Rather, it is
the risk of harm that you should try to minimise. HOW?

24. • Privacy: the rights of individuals to hold information about
themselves free from the knowledge of others
• Confidentiality: the assurance that information about identifiable
persons will not be disclosed without consent except as allowed by
law
• If a similar study of yours exist, why do you need to repeat it??
Maybe the conclusion was not clear & you want to confirm it,
extend it, or refute it.
• A researcher must be responsible holding the information.
• Sensitivity of topic &/or data
– Can responses/results affect the subject’s life if known by others
• How public/private is the setting?
• Public display of the data
– Personally identifiable information should be removed or changed
PRIVACY

25. Confidentiality and Anonymity
• Confidentiality is a basic requirement in all
studies (sagepub.com)
• The researcher agrees not to reveal the identity of the
participants to anyone other than the researcher.
• A stronger condition if it can be met is that of anonymity.
– This means the identity of the participant is not known by anyone including the researcher.
EXAMPLE: Conducting survey to a large group of people
Fill-out the instrument but not include the names on the survey
form.
The researcher will have the data but no names.

26. 3. Beneficence
• The principle of beneficence has two elements –
positive beneficence and utility beneficence.
• Positive beneficence means doing positive good
in the sense that the research has some value
scientifically, practically or educationally i.e. it
must address an important question.
• Utility beneficence refers to the requirement that
the researcher ‘balances benefits and drawbacks’
to produce the best overall results.

27. 4. Justice
• The principle of justice means treating
people equally and fairly and ensuring
that they are accorded their full rights.

28. • Often tied to the informed part of consent
– how can participants know (a) that they are taking
part in research and (b) what the research
requires of them if they are being deceived?
– Omission: withhold information (the information
was refused to give)
– Commission: provide false information
• i.e., lying
– Establishing false intimacy
DECEPTION

29. Good practice in Research
• Confidentiality of information
• Voluntary participation
• Reducing risks to participants
• Informed consent
• Protection of data

30. What is publication?
• It is the dissemination of your findings to the
scientific community
• Scientific publications are subject to peer
review
• Publication of research findings:
– Researchers have a responsibility to their colleagues and the wider
community to disseminate a full account of their research as broadly
as possible.
– The account should be complete, and, where applicable, include
negative findings and results contrary to their hypotheses.

31. References
• Dr. M. Macdonald, Ethical Issues in Research
into Applied Linguistics and Language
Education
• http://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/resources
/bioethics/whatis/
• http://dissertation.laerd.com/principles-of-
research-ethics.php