LESSON 5 Ethics in Research
LESSON 5 Ethics in Research
LESSON 5 Ethics in Research
in
Research
> Research Ethics Definition
> History of Ethics in Research
> 4 Basic Principles of Ethics in Research
Research Ethics Definition
➢The doctors did not inform the patients that live cancer
cells were being used or that the experiment was
designed to measure the patient’s ability to reject foreign
cells.
Samples of Unethical Research
The participant ➢In fact, no shocks were used in the study (“the shocked”
individuals were pretending); however, the participants
believed that they were inflicting real pain and suffering.
Samples of Unethical Research
A. Nuremberg Code
A. Nuremberg Code
➢The Nuremberg Code aimed to protect human subjects from enduring
the kind of cruelty and exploitation the prisoners endured at
concentration camps. Nuremberg Code is a set of 10 guidelines for
the ethical treatment of human participants in research.
Purpose
➢ Informed consent is absolutely essential
➢ Qualified researchers must use appropriate research designs
➢ There must be a favorable risk/ benefit ratio
➢ Participants must be free to stop at any time
History of Ethics in Research (Ethics Code)
A. Nuremberg Code
The 10 elements of the code are:
1. Voluntary consent is essential
2. The results of any experiment must be for the greater good of society
3. Human experiments should be based on previous animal experimentation
4. Experiments should be conducted by avoiding physical/mental suffering and
injury
5. No experiments should be conducted if it is believed to cause death/disability
History of Ethics in Research (Ethics Code)
A. Nuremberg Code
The 10 elements of the code are:
6. The risks should never exceed the benefits
7. Adequate facilities should be used to protect subjects
8. Experiments should be conducted only by qualified scientists
9. Subjects should be able to end their participation at any time
10. The scientist in charge must be prepared to terminate the experiment when
injury, disability, or death is likely to occur
History of Ethics in Research (Ethics Code)
(1) Individuals should consent to participate in studies and those who cannot give
their consent, such as children, people with diminished abilities, and prisoners,
need to be protected.
(2) The researcher not harm the participants, minimize risks, and maximize possible
benefits.
(3) fairness in procedures for selecting participants.
History of Ethics in Research (Ethics Code)
➢“The well-being of the subject should take precedence over the interests of
science and society”
➢Consent should be in writing
➢Use caution if participant is in dependent relationship with researcher
➢Limited use of placebo, especially if treatment is available
➢Greater access to benefit once research is concluded
History of Ethics in Research (Ethics Code)
2. Beneficence
➢The principle or rule of beneficence refers to a
normative statement of a moral obligation to act
for the others’ benefit, helping them to further their
important and legitimate interests, often by
preventing or removing possible harms.
➢Maximize possible benefits, minimize potential
harm
4 Basic Principles of Research on Human Subjects
2. Beneficence
The principle of beneficence supports the following moral rules or
obligations:
1. Protect and defend the rights of others.
2. Prevent harm from occurring to others.
3. Remove conditions that will cause harm.
4. Help persons with disabilities.
5. Rescue persons in danger.
4 Basic Principles of Research on Human Subjects
3. Justice
➢This principle requires that researchers are
always fair to the participants in their research and
that the needs of research participants should
always come before the objectives of the study.
3. Justice
The following arguments (rules) are supported by the principle of justice:
1. To each person an equal share
2. To each person according to need
3. To each person according to effort
4. To each person according to contribution
5. To each person according to merit.
4 Basic Principles of Research on Human Subjects
4. Non-maleficence
➢Non-maleficence means non-harming or inflicting
the least harm possible to reach a beneficial
outcome.
4. Non-maleficence
The principle of non-maleficence supports the following rules:
1. Do not kill.
2. Do not cause pain or suffering.
3. Do not incapacitate.
4. Do not cause offense.
Difference Between Beneficence and Non-maleficence
BENEFICENCE NON-MALEFICENCE
1. Rescuing a person from drowning 1. not saying hurtful things to another person
3. building a home for a homeless person 3. stopping a medication that is shown to be harmful
4. educating people about general sanitation 4. refusing to provide a treatment that has not been
shown to be effective.
Other Principles of Research Ethics
Strive to avoid bias in experimental design, data analysis, data interpretation, peer
Objectivity review, personnel decisions, grant writing, expert testimony, and other aspects of
research.
Keep your promises and agreements; act with sincerity; strive for consistency of
Integrity thought and action.
Avoid careless errors and negligence; carefully and critically examine your own
Carefulness work and the work of your peers. Keep good records of research activities.
Other Principles of Research Ethics
Respect for Intellectual Honor patents, copyrights, and other forms of intellectual property. Give credit
Property where credit is due. Never plagiarize.
Strive to promote social good and prevent or mitigate social harms through
Social Responsibility research, public education, and advocacy.