Ethical Dimensions Description Recommendations

Social Value ■ relevance of the study to an existing social or health problem such that Mention the utilization of the findings of this study. Discuss also your plan on how the
the results are expected to bring about a better understanding of related results of the study can be disseminated to the community to address their needs.
issues, or contribute to the promotion of well-being of individuals, their
families, and communities.
■ significance of the study, i.e. how the study will help arrive at a solution.
■ scientific validity, i.e. study design, methodology, and data collection,
overall, should be able to generate information
supportive of the objectives of the study.
■ dissemination plan (appropriateness and applicability) for the study
results shall be included in the protocol.
Informed Consent ■ a decision of a competent potential participant to be involved in research Explain the purpose of the informed consent as a document. Discuss the process on how
after receiving and understanding you will give relevant information of your study to the respondents. Or, disclose what
relevant information, without having been subjected to coercion, undue essential elements must be contained in the ICF to fully inform the target
influence, or inducement respondents/participants about the nature of the study and their extent of involvement.
■ obtaining informed consent is a process, i.e. respect for the prospective
participants’ dignity and autonomy must
be manifested; researchers shall have the duty to avoid deception, undue
influence, or intimidation
■ essential information must be disclosed:
1. name and affiliation of the researcher;
2. must be understood as an invitation to participate;
3. reasons for considering the potential participants;
4. voluntariness;
5. purpose of the research, the procedures to be carried out by the
researcher;
6. expected duration of the individual’s participation;
7. any foreseeable risks, pain or discomfort, or inconvenience to the
individual, including risks to the health or well-being of the individual’s
spouse or partner;
8. direct benefits; whether money or other forms of material goods will be
provided in return for the individual’s participation;
9. expected benefits of the research to the community or to society at
large, or contribution to scientific knowledge;
10. respect for the privacy of research participants and the confidentiality
of records in which they are identified;
11. participants are free to withdraw from the research at any time without
having to give any reason
Vulnerability of ■ those who are relatively or absolutely incapable of deciding for Discuss the issues on vulnerability of the respondents/participants. Decide whether the
Research themselves whether or not to participate in a study for reasons such as target respondents/participants are vulnerable or not based on their capability to render
Participants physical and mental disabilities, poverty, asymmetric power relations, and independent judgment as to whether they will give their consent to participate in this study
marginalization, among others and who are at greater risk for some or not. If they are not vulnerable, say so and support why they are not. If they are
harms. vulnerable, then explain what special protection must be provided by the researcher to
■ shall not be included in research unless such research: these respondents/participants.
1. is necessary to promote the welfare of the population represented;
2. cannot be performed on non-vulnerable persons or groups.
 ■ Competent advice and assistance shall be provided to participants who,
by virtue of social, economic, political
or medical disadvantages, are liable to give consent under duress or
without the benefit of adequate information.
Risks, Benefits, ■ the population from which the participants are derived stand to benefit Mention the foreseeable risks or inconveniences that the respondents may experience or
and Safety from the research. encounter as informants of the study. Include a discussion on how to address the risks
■ there must be a careful assessment of predictable risks, burdens, and especially in the light of COVID 19 Pandemic. Mention the need to comply with the IATF
foreseeable benefits to the research participant or to others. guidelines in the conduct of research to minimize the risks. Discuss both the direct and
■ a careful assessment of predictable risks, burdens, and foreseeable the indirect benefits that the respondents can get as a result of their active involvement in
benefits to the research participant or to others must be done. the investigation.
■ acceptable positive benefit-risk ratio.
■ researcher/funder/sponsor shall endeavor to ensure the reasonable
availability and accessibility of favorable research outcomes to the
community.
Privacy and ■ researchers shall adhere to the principles of transparency, legitimate Explain how the sensitive and personal data can be protected and how the leaking out of
Confidentiality of purpose, and proportionality in information can be prevented. Discuss adequately the researcher’s compliance to the
Information the collection, retention, and processing of personal information (Data stipulations of the Data Privacy Act of 2012.
Privacy Act of 2012).
■ researchers must respect participants’ right to privacy. Unless required
by law, the confidentiality of
information shall at all times be observed.
■ records that link individuals to specific information shall not be released.
This requirement shall be included in the informed consent form.
■ researchers shall refrain from identifying individuals or groups when
release of information about them can expose them to possible harm or
social stigma unless
required by law.
■ where there is some likelihood or opportunity for the researcher to
observe the occurrence of illegal or
harmful behaviors (e.g., child abuse, substance use, selfharm, or suicide
ideation), the researcher shall
1. explicitly indicate the limits of confidentiality in the informed consent
process ;
2. emphasize the right of the respondent to withdraw from the study or
withdraw his or her data, and to refuse to answer any question
3. Prepare a concrete and realistic protocol for reporting and referral in the
event that imminent harm and/or a criminal act is disclosed or discovered
in the process of data collection.
■researchers shall recognize that collecting data using group methods
(e.g., FGDs) has implications for the privacy and confidentiality of
individuals, i.e. ensure that the nature of the study and the questions
would cause minimal harm should confidentiality or anonymity be
breached.
■ researcher shall describe his or her data protection plan in the protocol,
including the steps to be taken so that all who have access to the data can
 safeguard privacy and confidentiality
■ researcher shall provide adequate and clear instructions to research
assistants, transcribers of audio recordings, or translators of transcriptions
Justice ■ there must equitable distribution of both the burdens and the benefits of Discuss the principle of the equitable distribution of burdens and responsibility among the
participation in research. That is, it should not be the case that one group researcher and the participants in research. Assure that the researcher must be equipped
in society bears the costs of research while another group reaps its and the participants must meet a certain set of inclusion criteria. In other words, discuss
benefits, i.e. that the participants have been chosen fairly. Incorporate in the
1. fair selection in the choice of population, sampling, and assignments; discussion the provision of
2. provision of appropriate care to research participants regardless of their a reasonable and
economic status, gender, race, or creed; appropriate incentive for
3. just compensation for harms brought about by participation in the the respondents due to
research; the inconveniences they
4. reimbursement for lost earnings,travel costs, and other expenses will experience while
incurred ; taking part in the study.
5. participants may be given a reasonable and appropriate incentive for
inconvenience

■ individuals and communities shall have access to benefits related to

participation in the study
Transparency ■It is imperative for all parties to be transparent about matters relating to Disclose the study objectives, methods and the extent of the respondents’/participants’
their involvement, i.e. involvement in the study. Accessibility to the findings of the study must be assured.
1. promotes confidence in the research enterprise, even when privacy and Whenever necessary, discuss how to address the conflict of interest.
anonymity need to be preserved about sensitive matters;
2. entails disclosure of research results.

■ researchers must be transparent about aspects of a study that may

have an impact on the rights, health, and safety of participants, or in
respect to information that may have a bearing on the decision of
participants to give or withhold their informed consent.

■ researchers must disclose information about their affiliations, financial

interests, or other loyalties that may affect their objectivity and the integrity
of their research
output.
■ research participants need to be truthful in declaring their health
conditions, and to be candid in expressing their concerns about their
involvement in research.
Qualifications of ■ persons engaged in research involving human participants shall have Establish the expertise or the competence of the researcher to pursue the conduct of the
Researcher/Adviser moral fortitude, scientific competence, social awareness, cultural investigation. Mention the availability of the consultants and other experts in the
sensitivity, intellectual humility, vigilance, and preparedness in safety institutions where the research is to be conducted for guidance. Assure the readiness of
issues. the adviser to assist the researcher towards the completion of the study.
■ researcher shall have the training, ability, and resources to conduct the
proposed study.
■ researcher shall be knowledgeable of the literature on the research
topic.
Adequacy of ■assurance that the research environment for the specific issues must be Identify what facilities will be used in the study and state the availability of these materials.
Facilities supportive of protocol procedures and well-being of participants; i.e. If the conduct of the data collection is online, Identify the specific
library must make accessible virtual/digital modalities
the peer-reviewed journals; equipped laboratory facilities, pool of experts; application that will be used
data analysts; for data gathering and
communication between the researcher and the respondents/participants.
Community ■ respect for local traditions and culture, community empowerment, Make a clear discussion on
Involvement acknowledgement of participation. how the benefits and the
■ benefits must be made clear to the individuals and to communities that results of the study can be known to the
they represent participants and to the
■ research forum for the stakeholders must be possibly organized for the community that
dissemination of research results they represent as well as to the other
stakeholders through a
dissemination plan or
research forum.