Running Head: Ethical Considerations

Ethical Considerations
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Ethical Considerations

Introduction
Undertaking a research can sometimes be a complex and daunting process that is
characterized with intricacies and ethical considerations with regards to how the research will
affect the relevant stakeholders. Undertaking a research will involve the interaction of the
researcher with other individuals in the process of undertaking the research especially when
collecting data. Moreover, in the process of undertaking a research, the researcher will be
required to critically evaluate other secondary sources that are related to the area of research
under study. The above analysis implies that undertaking an effective research will require a
researcher to undertake the necessary steps towards enhancing higher levels of ethical
considerations. For instance, as postulated by National Academy of Sciences (2009), ethical
considerations are diverse in nature and include considerations that are pinned to the following
constructs; plagiarism, risk assessment, informed consent, confidentiality and privacy, data
reporting and handling, mistakes and negligence, working with various mentors and Institutional
Review Board approval.
The analysis that will be undertaken will be based on a critical analysis of the
methodological approach that the researcher will employ in enhancing higher levels of research
ethics in the undertaking of the research. Specifically, the analysis will evaluate how plagiarism,
risk assessment, informed consent, privacy and confidentiality, data handling and reporting,
mistakes and negligence, working with a mentor and IRB approval will be considered in the
undertaking of the research.
Literature review
As postulated by Gannon (2014) research ethics are mainly concerned with the process of
distinguishing between acceptable and non-acceptable behaviour in the process of undertaking a

Ethical Considerations

research. The same analysis is also postulated by Millum and Sina (2014) when they stated that
research ethics provide guidelines that define the standards of conduct in undertaking a research.
Moreover, as postulated by Tikly and Bond (2013), research ethics can be defined as the
methodological procedures and perspectives that define how a research can be undertaken in a
generally accepted manner.
There are various reasons that points out to the importance of promoting research ethics.
For instance, as postulated by Hair, Wolfinbarger, Money, Samouel and Page (2015), one of the
advantages of undertaking research ethics is that it enables a researcher to promote truth in
undertaking a research. For example, research ethics discourages the duplication of data which
subsequently reduces the chances of a researcher to falsify data and information. Moreover,
another advantage associated with promotion of research ethics is that enhancing ethical
standards in a research undertaking will enhance effective cooperation between the various
stakeholders involved in the undertaking of the research (Brandt, Ernst, Gralla, Luederitz, Lang,
Newig ... & von Wehrden, 2013). Additionally, other advantages associated with the promotion
of research ethics include the following; promoting research ethics enhances higher levels of
accountability among researchers, enhancing research ethics elicits the public support for the
research undertaking and that enhancing research ethics enables the researcher to promote other
values such as social responsibility, law compliance, public health and safety as well as
compliance with the law (Anderson, Eijkholt & Illes, 2013).
From the above literature review, it is evident that ethical considerations are pinned on
the ideology of conformance to various guidelines, laws and principles aimed at promoting
accepted behaviour in undertaking of a research. Moreover, the analysis undertaken also points

Ethical Considerations

out to the various advantages of associated with enhancing ethical standards in the process of
undertaking the research.
Discussion
Plagiarism
As postulated by Jocoy and DiBiase (2006), plagiarism can be defined as unauthorized
use of using someone else ideas, results, words, and processes without explicitly acknowledging
the original source of the information. As postulated by the IEE Publications (2012, p.1),
plagiarism in any form is unacceptable and is considered a serious breach of professional
conduct, with potentially severe ethical and legal consequences. Moreover, plagiarism can also
be depicted in the form of self-plagiarism that is depicted when there is a verbatim replication or
reuse of an individuals own ideas. As postulated by Gotterbarn, Miller and Impagliazzo (2006),
plagiarism can be reduced through the use of proper citation of any ideas from external sources.
Moreover, according to Benos, Fabres, Farmer, Gutierrez, Hennessy, Kosek ... & Wang (2005),
plagiarism can also be minimized through obtaining permission to quote use the original sources.
In the undertaking of the research, the researcher will undertake several steps in ensuring that the
research that will be undertaken will be free from any form of plagiarism. For instance, proper in
text citations will be used for information that will be borrowed from other authors, Moreover,
self-plagiarism will be avoided through avoiding the use of verbatim replication of ideas and
information. Specifically, the introduction section, the literature review, the methodology,
analysis and discussion will all be referenced with appropriate sources in order to minimize
plagiarism.
Risk assessment

Ethical Considerations

According to Shah, Whittle, Wilfond, Gensler & Wendler (2004), risk assessment
involves the protocols and procedures undertaken in order to determine whether there are any
harm associated with the study. For instance, the process of undertaking risk assessment involves
a critical evaluation of the various risks associated with every step of undertaking a research.
Moreover, according to Grant and Sugarman (2004), researchers that will involve human
subjects are characterized with high level of risk, hence; there is need for a researcher to
undertake the necessary steps to determine the level of risk associated with the study and the
strategies that will be employed in reducing the risk. As postulated by Wendler, Belsky,
Thompson and Emanuel (2005), research risks can be categorized as minimal risks and greater
than minimal risks. The research that will be undertaken will be of minimal risk in the sense that
the magnitude of harm posed by undertaking of the research is not greater than those
encountered in the daily life. Specifically, in order to determine the risks that will be eminent in
the undertaking of the research, the researcher will deliberate on the following research
questions:
What is the role of the researcher in the process of undertaking the research?
What is the role of the participants in the process of undertaking the research?
How much time will be involved in the undertaking of the research especially with data
collection?
Is intrusion, embarrassment, or distress a possible risk in the research undertaking?
Are there any physical risks or health risks associated with undertaking the research on
the researcher or the participants?
Where will the data be collected?
From the above analysis, the research that will be undertaken will be categorized as under
minimal risk in the sense that the research does not present any harm that exceed the normal
encounters of the participants and researchers daily life undertakings. For instance, from a
researcher perspective, the major risk presented in the undertaking of the research will be

Ethical Considerations

physical and emotional risks. Physical risks will be depicted in the sense that the data will be
based on case studies which will require the researcher to travel to the identified hospitals.
However, the physical risks will be minimized through selecting hospitals that are near the
researcher in order to reduce the physical risk. Also, the researcher will also inform the
supervisor on the exact location they are in every stage of collecting data and travelling.
Moreover, the emotional risks will be depicted in the sense that some respondents may be
ignorant ad hostile to the researcher in the process of collecting data. On the other hand, the
major risk towards the research participants is the emotional and discomfort risk as a result of
utilizing their time in providing the data required. However, the following strategies will be
employed by the researcher in order to reduce emotional risks among the participants:
i.

Rehearsing with the participants on how they can effectively say NO in case

ii.

they do not want to reply

Assuring the participants that their decisions will be respected and they will not

iii.

be victimized for refusing to answer questions

Enhancing openness in the undertaking of the research so that those participants
who will be upset by the research undertaking can be free to share their
experiences with other people.
Informed consent

As postulated by Patel, Doku and Tennakoon (2003), an informed consent is a voluntary

agreement of a participant to undertake in the research. Moreover, as postulated by Bhutta
(2012), informed consent plays a vital role in the undertaking of a research in the sense that it
enables the participants to well aware of the objectives and the purpose of the research.
Moreover, the informed consent will ensure that the participants are aware of the benefits
associated with the research undertaking as well as the risks involved in the research

Ethical Considerations

undertaking. In order to enhance higher levels of informed consent, the following guidelines will
be considered in the development of the informed consent form;
i.

Participation in the research undertaking will be based on a voluntary basis and no

solicitation or any other benefits will be awarded to the participants. Moreover, the
participants will be guaranteed data confidentiality and privacy and that they will also be
informed about the overall purpose of the study, duration and the benefits of undertaking
the study as well as the various risks involved. Additionally, the participants will also be
allowed to terminate their participation in the research undertaking at any stage of the

ii.

research.
Moreover, the participants will also be informed about the procedures that will be
undertaken in collecting data from the participants and also the participants will be
informed that there will be no conflicts of interests among the investigators and the
funders of the research. Moreover, the investigators contact information will be
incorporated in the research and the participants will be allowed to contact the
investigator at any time of undertaking the research for further clarification and guidance.
Privacy and confidentiality
As postulated by American Psychological Association (2002) privacy and confidentiality

refer to the level of secrecy of data collected from the research undertaking. The same sentiments
are also postulated by Ali and Kelly (2004), when they stated that data privacy and
confidentiality entails all the processes undertaken by a researcher in order to maintain the
secrecy of data collected. In order to enhance higher levels of privacy and confidentiality, the
following considerations will be undertaken in the process of undertaking the research.
i.

The researchers will be guaranteed a data privacy and confidentiality in the sense that the
researcher will develop a confidentiality report that will guarantee the participants

Ethical Considerations

confidentiality and also the limits to confidentiality. For instance, in the confidentiality
report, participants will be informed that the data that will be collected will be used for
the purposes intended in the study and no data will be discussed with third parties that are
not stipulated in the research. Moreover, limits to confidentiality and privacy will be
depicted in the sense that the participants will be informed that, the supervisor, and the
ii.

committee chair will have access to the data collected.

Additionally, confidentiality and privacy will be enhanced through fostering anonymity
in the research undertaken. For instance, the questionnaires that will be used in collecting
data will include the participants demographic characteristics section. However, the
participants demographics section of the questionnaire will not include a section for the
participants identity. This will ensure that participants in the study will remain

iii.

anonymous which will in essence leads to higher levels of privacy and confidentiality.
Moreover, confidentiality and privacy of the data that will be collected will be enhanced
in the sense that the participants will informed about the disposal method of the data
collected after the presentation and grading of the project. For instance, the researcher
will burn the questionnaires that will be used in collecting data from the participants in
presence of at least five participants, two committee members and the supervisor.
Data handling and reporting
As postulated by Marco and Larkin (2000), ethical principles regarding data handling and

reporting involves those steps that are undertaken in order to ensure that data is not lost and the
data collected represents high levels of authenticity and accuracy. For instance, in order to
enhance effective data handling, the researcher will develop a backup mechanism so as to avoid
loss of data. Backing up the data will be done regularly in the process of undertaking the
research. Additionally, in order to maintain high levels of data accuracy, the researcher will

Ethical Considerations

identify the independent and dependent variables and establish the nature of relationship between
the dependent and the independent variables. After establishing the relationship, the researcher
will then select the best statistical analysis that suits the relationship being investigated between
the dependent and the independent variables. Moreover, higher levels of data accuracy will be
enhanced through the use of various strategies such as; reporting the actual number of eligible
participants, reporting the negative points and results that might be depicted in the research,
including all the data points in the analysis, and avoiding data dredging (Marco & Larkin, 2000).
Mistakes and negligence
As postulated by Udo-Akang (2013), mistakes and negligence in the undertaking of the
research might arise as a result of a researcher own prejudice about a research phenomenon.
Moreover, mistakes and negligence in undertaking a research may arise due to human errors,
relying on theoretical and experimental techniques that have not been fully developed and lack of
limited resources (National Academy of Sciences, 2009). In order to reduce the number of
mistakes and negligence, the researcher will undertake audit trails in the process of undertaking
the research. Audit trails will enable the researcher to carefully analyze the research undertaken
in order to determine any mistakes that might be depicted in the research. Moreover, part of audit
trails will involve constant communication with the supervisor and other committee members on
the progress of the research as well as constant reviews of the research process by the supervisor.
Additionally, in order to reduce the errors and mistakes that might arise as a result of
undeveloped theoretical and practical concepts, the researcher will involve the use of recent
(published within the last five years) peer reviewed articles. Moreover, the researcher will avoid
any form of biasness and prejudice in the undertaking of the research in order to reduce the
number of mistakes in the undertaking of the research.

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Working with a mentor

According to Bowen (2005), research mentors provide guidelines and guidance on how a
research should be undertaken based on the available standards and ethics for conducting a
research. Moreover, mentoring enables the professional development of young scientists that
have little knowledge of undertaking a research. In order to effectively conform to the ethical
standards regarding mentoring, the researcher will maintain constant communication and flow of
ideas between the mentor and the researcher. Additionally, in order to adhere to the ethics
regarding mentoring, the researcher will maintain a professional relationship with the mentor and
will not engage in unethical practices such as bribing or soliciting the mentor for favours and
considerations. Moreover, the role of the mentor will be constricted to the process of defining,
exemplifying as well as explaining the various ethical standards to the researcher. Also, the role
of the mentor will be pinned towards ensuring that the researcher adheres to the various ethical
guidelines and standards.
IRB approval
As postulated by Flicker, Travers, Guta, McDonald and Meagher (2007), institutional
review boards (IRB) are mandated with the task of ensuring that the research that will be
undertaken conforms to the various ethical standards and guidelines that govern the process of
undertaking a research. The research that will be undertaken will be aimed at evaluation of
implementation of information system management in healthcare cloud computing for purposes
of expanding on the current knowledge as well as for purposes of accreditation. Moreover, as a
general requirement by the University, all students undertaking data collection for the purposes
of dissertation or research proposals will are required to obtain reviews and approvals from the

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university IRB. Hence, the researcher will obtain an approval from the university IRB through
submitting the proposal and the IRB form to the University IRB committee.
Conclusion
From the above analysis, researchers have the responsibility of undertaking a research
based on the ethical guidelines and standards that have been laid down. Moreover, since the
process of undertaking a research involves different stakeholders who are affected and affect the
process of undertaking the research, it is the responsibility of the researcher to ensure that the
research is undertaken in an ethical manner that is satisfactory to all the affected stakeholders.
Moreover, enhancing higher levels of ethical consideration in a research is characterized with
many advantages which include but not limited to the following advantages; it discourages the
practice of duplication of data which in essence reduces the chances of a researcher to falsify
data and provide inaccurate results, enhances effective cooperation between the various
stakeholders involved in the undertaking of the research for example it promotes higher levels of
understanding and collaboration between the researcher and the participants. Moreover, other
advantages researchers have an obligation of enhancing higher levels of research ethics in the
sense that; promoting research ethics enhances higher levels of accountability among
researchers, elicits the public support for the research undertaking and that enhancing research
ethics enables the researcher to promote other values such as social responsibility, law
compliance, public health and safety as well as compliance with the law

Ethical Considerations

12

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