ENSURING “ETHICAL” APPROACH TO RESEARCH

Name and Surname: Dominic Mufudzi Makoni

Student ID number: 6268645
Course name and code :53658
Tutor’s full name: Brigitte Mukabana Wabuyabo Okonga
Date: 16/10/2023

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Ensuring ethical approach to research entails maintaining principles that include “voluntary
participation, informed consent, anonymity, confidentiality, potential for harm, and results
communication, as they constitute a code of conduct which must be maintained when
collecting data from others” (Luhmann, 2013).
It is essential to uphold honesty in all scientific communications, more so when relating
publication status, data, procedures and methods, and data. Thus, avoidance of falsification,
fabrication and data misrepresentation is of essence, in the same manner as being honest with
colleagues, stakeholders and interested parties should be upheld. The application of current
Guiding Principles for Ethical Research like Integrity, scrupulosity, justice, as well as
satisfaction of agreements and promises ensures ethical research. Raising hopes and false
promises, just like bias in experimental design, data analysis, data interpretation, and peer
review should be avoided whilst being objective.
It is prudent to reduce any harm to the participants which may translate as physical harm to
contributors, psychological agony and embarrassment, withdrawal, violation of participant’s
confidentiality and privacy, (ibid). Accessing informed consent of participants as well as
protecting their anonymity and confidentiality through freedom to refuse to answer any
question/withdrawal from the research, availing contact details should additionally research
information be needed, reduces the risk of harm. Discrimination violates human rights and
not study related must be avoided, with results freely shared, just as it is paramount for data,
other resources and acceptance of positive comments and constructive feedback. Also,
intellectual property must be highly regarded taking cognizance of the likelihood of error and
biases, according credit where its due by paraphrasing others’ work cited. Plagiarism is not an
option. Forthrightness without any misleading is called when planning research. Participants
must hold the right to withdraw. Next is, the informed consent that entails “a person
knowingly, voluntarily, and intelligently giving their consent to take part in research and is
akin to an individual’s autonomous right to participate in research,” (Luhmann, 2013).
Participants need to be briefed on the research objective, just as their dues, roles, and
benefits/harms (if any). Respect for person/respondent implies autonomy, which entails
respectful regard of all aware of their personal goals, and their capacity for self-
determination. Persons with impaired or diminished autonomy must be protected by
guaranteeing them security against harm or abuse. “This concept has evolved through
increased complexity in communication in medicine, legal and science communications.
There is no simple process of direct structural determination of one system on another.

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Structural coupling between systems results in informed consent taking different forms
according to the demands and requirements of different systems” (Luhmann, 2013).

As per Moreno, (2018), beneficence maximizes the participants’ benefits, is an Ethical

obligation to maximize possible benefits and reduce possible harm to the respondents, that is,
Non-maleficence/ Protecting the subjects (human). Privacy, autonomy, and dignity deserve
protection as well as responsible publishing which urges and enhances research or knowledge
without replications. “Protection of anonymity entails keeping the participant unknown in all
respects as well as Confidentiality, which is the safe keeping of confidential information, and
personnel data. This is Justice,” (ibid).
The Belmont Report assets the guiding principles, must follow the above-mentioned
principles and ethical research considerations like: “Respect for persons - autonomy and
protecting those with diminished autonomy; Beneficence and non-maleficence; Justice;
Informed consent; Confidentiality and data protection; Integrity; Conflict of interest. It is
crucial to follow the correct principles of research in research programs,” (Moreno, 2018).
Notably, Research ethics govern all scientific researchers’ standard of conduct. Conversely, it
gives the framework for responsible research conduct and falls in the scope of the Research
ethics committee/Institutional Review Board (IRB) which reviews the research’ ethical
standards. Famenka, (2016) raises other pertinent ethical aspects that must be considered,
viz.; “Protection of vulnerable groups of people: public policies on the protection of human
subjects reviewed lack consistency and mechanisms for their implementation Vulnerability is
one distinctive feature of people incapable to protect their moralities and wellbeing.
Vulnerable groups comprise captive populations (detainees, established, students, etc.),
mentally ill persons, and aged people, children, critically ill or dying, poor, with learning
incapacities, sedated or insensible.”
This broadens into the Advantages of Research Ethics since they promote research aims as
well as enhance researcher and respondent confidence. Hence, upkeeping ethical principles
for protecting the dignity, rights and welfare of research participants, is of essence as
Researchers remain accountable and answerable. Ethics promote social and moral values,
understanding, veracity, and error avoidance. Values like Cooperative work, like belief,
answerability, mutual respect, are upheld by Ethical standards just as Ethical norms in
research aid construction of public welfare for research as well, (Sobottka, 2016). More so as
the research’ and reliability is likely to be boosted by likelihood of people’s increase in
confidence in the research project.

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Nonetheless, Limitations of Research Ethics abound, those relating to subjects being,
“Possibilities to physical integrity, containing those linked with experimental drugs and
dealings and with other involvements that will be used in the study (e.g. measures used to
observe research participants, such as blood sampling, X-rays or lumbar punctures).
Psychological risks: for example, a questionnaire may perhaps signify a risk if it fears
traumatic events or happenings that are especially traumatic. Social, legal and economic
risks: for example, if personal information collected during a study is unintentionally
released, participants might face a threat of judgment and stigmatization,” (Sobottka, 2016):
UU-DBA-820-ZM. Furthermore, “certain tribal or inhabitant groups may possibly suffer
from discrimination or stigmatization, burdens because of research, typically if associates of
those groups are recognized as having a greater-than-usual risk of devouring a specific
disease. The research may perhaps have an influence on the prevailing health system: for
example, human and financial capitals dedicated to research may distract attention from other
demanding health care necessities in the community,” (Sobottka, 2016) : UU-DBA-820-ZM
Ethics are ensured at various research stages through collection of the facts and discussing
frankly intellectual property, spelling out “ethical issues, ascertaining affected
parties/stakeholders, losses, acknowledging the principles, rights, justice, considering your
personality and truthfulness, deliberating creatively possible actions, upholding privacy and
confidentiality, and resolving on the correct ethical action as well as willingly consider
different perspectives,” (ibid).

Summarily, “Research ethics matter for scientific integrity, human rights and dignity, and
collaboration between science and society. These principles make sure that participation in
studies is voluntary, informed, and safe for research subjects. Research can be ethically
justified only if undertaken in respectful manner, safe, fair, and outmost beneficial. Also, a
study can be scientifically sound by ensuring conformity to acceptable scientific standards.
Informed consent from research participants is necessary. Research should be conducted by
medically / scientifically qualified individuals. Risks should not exceed benefits.”
Https://www.nih.gov › nib-clinical-research-trials-you › g...
Argumentation ethics, therefore, enable generation of debate among moral members of a
community since ethics and stances are a normative dimension to argumentation and debate,
by giving conduct guidelines.
Argumentation theory, or argumentation, is the interdisciplinary study of how conclusions
can be supported or undermined by premises through logical reasoning, (ibid).

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Examples of ethical arguments are Human Cloning – A Far-Fetched Idea or Just a Genetic
Disaster? Should Teens Consider Abortion without Their Parents' Approval? To Vote or Not
to Vote on Election Day: Can Your Vote Make a Difference? Combating Music Piracy: Can
We Put an End to Music Piracy and Compel People to Buy Rather than “Steal”? (Madushani,
2016).
As per Paoletti, (2014), “There are two types of ethical arguments, —deontological and
teleological, or consequentialist. The principal difference between them is that deontological
theories do not appeal to value considerations in establishing ethical standards, while
teleological theories do. Whilst Ethical persuasion concerns the moral principles associated
with a speaker's use of persuasion to influence an audience's beliefs, attitudes, intentions,
motivations, or behaviors. An ethical speaker may endeavor to: Explore the audience's
viewpoint, Explain the speaker's viewpoint, and. Create resolutions. Research ethics differs
throughout different types of fields and academic communities. Every community has its own
set of morals and ethical principles.”
According to Sociologists the responsibility to secure permission and interests of all
participants in the research as of paramount importance with exceptions being applied when
people are involved in illegal or terrorist activity (Sobottka, 2016). Moreno, (2018), opines
that
“Research ethics in anthropological research was formed to protect on the one hand those
who are being researched and on the other hand the researcher from situations, topics or
events that may be dangerous or sensitive. Ethical principles are applied particularly in
ethnographic research. For example, in ethnographic fieldwork is often required to sign an
informed consent form which designates the nature of the research. Informants are usually
assured anonymity and might be referred to the participants using pseudonyms” UU-DBA-
820-ZM.

In conclusion, Chui, (2007), asserts research expatiation to participants pertinent bodies and
stakeholders upholds professional integrity; and guarantying privacy and anonymity as
protection of the participants’ interests when accessing both oral and written consent. More
so as Scientific integrity is a crucial research aspect.
Madushani, (2016), contends that fundamental questions of scientific theory debate abound in
several disciplines. Nevertheless, the major necessity, regardless of scholars’ contrary views
pertain honest documentation and consistent elaboration. Generally, similar research ethics
obligations govern all disciplines, like requirements for capturing and relevant research

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issues, authentic documentation, unbiased debate of divergent views, and introspection. The
ethical approach to research is universal. Controversy must not cloud independent research
ensured by research establishments and research policy bodies guaranteeing scholarly
excellence although research’s “intrinsic need for originality, transparency and verification of
prevailing opinions can conflict with the desire of some parties to prevent the exploration of
topics.” LECTURE NOTES: UU-DBA-820-ZM ;
According to Israel & Hay, (2006), “Research must be safeguarded from internal or external
control that interferes with well-founded discussion problems that conflict with financial,
political, social, cultural, or religious interests and traditions. Neither the non-research
constraints should dictate the results to which the research should lead. Research must be
safeguarded in such a way that its results and conclusions are not hidden or reported
selectively. The duration and relevance of the arguments, rather than established interests and
traditions, should guide the production of knowledge in research.” It is further opined that it
is the researchers’ obligation to respect individuals’ privacy space and confidentiality. While
informants are entitled to verify if their confidential information is accessible to others.
Research subjects should be guaranteed confidential treatment of all personal information
provided, (Israel &Hay, 2006). Generally, free and informed consent should be initiated only
by participants who as the informants can withdraw from participation at any time, without
any negative consequences, in research projects (Israel & Hay, 2006). Lecture Notes: UU-
DBA-820-ZM
Thus, it is prudent that researchers have the basic skills and familiarity for the specific study
to be carried out and be aware of the limits of personal competence in research.
Any lack of knowledge in the area under research must be clearly specified. Inexperienced
researchers must be guided by qualified personnel whose work has to be revised by an ethics
commission.

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 References
Chui W.H. (2007). “Quantitative Legal Research”, Edinburgh University Press.
Israel, M., & Hay, I. (2006). Research ethics for social scientists. Sage.
Madushani, H. D. P. (2016). “Ethical Issues in Social Science Research: A Review”, in
Journal of Social Statistics.
Moreno, I. C. (2018). The basics and ethics of social and behavioral sciences research
design: A book review. The Qualitative Report, 23(1), 262-263.
Paoletti, I. (2014). Ethics and the social dimension of research activities. Human
Studies, 37(2), 257-277.
Sobottka, E. A. (2016). Commitment and regulation. ethics in research and the human
sciences *. International Journal of Action Research, 12(2), 116-143
Https://www.nih.gov › nih-clinical-research-trials-you › g...