Lesson 4: Basic Principles of

Research Ethics
Objectives:
• At the end of the discussion, you are expected to:
o a. explain why ethics in research is important;
o b. describe basic ethical principles of research ethics in making decisions;
o c. describe ethical dilemmas and safeguard in research; and
o d. apply basic ethical principles and guidelines in research in making decisions
Ethical Considerations
 Research Ethics
• Etymology • Issues in Research Ethics:
o Ethics cam from Greek work “ethos” o 1. How should we treat people on whom
we conduct research?
which means “character” (Hesse-Biber
o 2. Are the activities in which we should or
and Leavy, 2011).
should not engage in our relations with
o Ethics in Research them? (Bryman, 2008)
• Refer to the standards on what is
morally right or wrong in
conducting research (Burnham et
al. 20004)
 Ethical Goals
• 1. Ensure that people participate voluntarily in the study
• 2. Keep people’s comments and behavior confidential
• 3. Protect people from harm
• 4.Ensure mutual trust between researcher and people studied (Silverman,
2006)
 Ethical Guidelines in Research
• 1. Voluntary Participation and harmlessness
• 2. Anonymity and confidentiality
• 3. Disclosure
o Informed Consent
•  Is a procedure through which a competent subject, after having received and understood all
the research-related information, can voluntarily provide his or her willingness to participate
in a clinical trial.
• Informed consent means that the research subjects have the right to know what they are being
researched, the right to be informed about the nature of research, and the right to withdraw at
any time… (Silverman, 2006)
 Ethical Pitfalls in Qualitative Research
(Silverman, 2006)
• 1. Exploitative Social Research
• 2. Deception
• 3. Identification of subjects’ identity
• 4. Fraternizing with groups we dislike
• 5. Participating in dubious bargains
 Ethical Principles in Research
1. Beneficence or the avoidance of harm
2. Veracity or the avoidance of deception
3. Privacy or autonomy
4. Confidentiality
5. Consent
6. Respect for Persons
7. Justice
8. Vulnerability