Research Ethics

Research ethics involves the application of fundamental ethical principles to a variety

of topics involving scientific research. These include the design and implementation of
research involving human experimentation, animal experimentation, various aspects
of academic scandal, including scientific misconduct (such as fraud, fabrication of
data and plagiarism), whistle blowing; regulation of research, etc. Research ethics is
most developed as a concept in medical research. The key agreement here is the
1974 Declaration of Helsinki. The Nuremberg Code is a former agreement, but with
many still important notes. Research in the social sciences presents a different set of
issues than those in medical research.
The scientific research enterprise is built on a foundation of trust. Scientists trust that
the results reported by others are valid. Society trusts that the results of research reflect
an honest attempt by scientists to describe the world accurately and without bias. But
this trust will endure only if the scientific community devotes itself to exemplifying and
transmitting the values associated with ethical scientific conduct.
There are many ethical issues to be taken into serious consideration for research.
Sociologists need to be aware of having the responsibility to secure the actual
permission and interests of all those involved in the study. They should not misuse any
of the information discovered, and there should be a certain moral responsibility
maintained towards the participants. There is a duty to protect the rights of people in the
study as well as their privacy and sensitivity. The confidentiality of those involved in the
observation must be carried out, keeping their anonymity and privacy secure. As
pointed out in the BSA for Sociology, all of these ethics must be honored unless there
are other overriding reasons to do so - for example, any illegal or terrorist activity.
Research ethics in a medical context is dominated by principles, an approach that has
been criticized as being decontextualised.
Research ethics is different throughout different types of educational communities.
Every community has its own set of morals. In Anthropology:
Research ethics were formed in Anthropology to protect those who are being
researched and to protect the researcher from topics or events that may be unsafe or
may make either party feel uncomfortable. It is a widely guideline that Anthropologists
use especially when doing ethnographic fieldwork.
Research informants participating in individual or group interviews as well as
ethnographic fieldwork are often required to sign an informed consent form which
outlines the nature of the project. Informants are typically assured anonymity and will be
referred to using pseudonyms. There is however growing recognition that these formal
measures are insufficient and do not necessarily warrant a research project 'ethical'.
Research with people should therefore not be based solely on dominant and de-
contextualized understandings of ethics, but should be negotiated reflexively and
through dialogue with participants as a way to bridge global and local understandings of
research ethics.
In Canada, there are many different types of research ethic boards that approve
applications for research projects. The most common document that Canadian
Universities follow is the Tri-Council Policy Statement. However, there are other types of
documents geared towards different educational aspects such as: biology, clinical
practices, bio-techniques and even stem cell research. The Tri-Council is actually the
top three government grant agencies in Canada. If one was to do research in Canada
and apply for funds, their project would have to be approved by the Tri-Council.
Furthermore, it is the researcher’s ethical responsibility to not harm the humans or
animals they are studying; they also have a responsibility to science, the public as well
as to future students.

The following is a rough and general summary of some ethical principles that various
codes address*:

Honesty

Strive for honesty in all scientific communications. Honestly report data, results,
methods and procedures, and publication status. Do not fabricate, falsify, or
misrepresent data. Do not deceive colleagues, granting agencies, or the public.

Objectivity
Strive to avoid bias in experimental design, data analysis, data interpretation, peer
review, personnel decisions, grant writing, expert testimony, and other aspects of
research where objectivity is expected or required. Avoid or minimize bias or self-
deception. Disclose personal or financial interests that may affect research.

Integrity
Keep your promises and agreements; act with sincerity; strive for consistency of
thought and action.

Carefulness
Avoid careless errors and negligence; carefully and critically examine your own work
and the work of your peers. Keep good records of research activities, such as data
collection, research design, and correspondence with agencies or journals.

Openness
Share data, results, ideas, tools, resources. Be open to criticism and new ideas.
Respect for Intellectual Property
Honor patents, copyrights, and other forms of intellectual property. Do not use
unpublished data, methods, or results without permission. Give credit where credit is
due. Give proper acknowledgement or credit for all contributions to research. Never
plagiarize.

Confidentiality
Protect confidential communications, such as papers or grants submitted for
publication, personnel records, trade or military secrets, and patient records.

Responsible Publication
Publish in order to advance research and scholarship, not to advance just your own
career. Avoid wasteful and duplicative publication.

Responsible Mentoring
Help to educate, mentor, and advise students. Promote their welfare and allow them to
make their own decisions.

Respect for colleagues

Respect your colleagues and treat them fairly.
Social Responsibility
Strive to promote social good and prevent or mitigate social harms through research,
public education, and advocacy.

Non-Discrimination
Avoid discrimination against colleagues or students on the basis of sex, race, ethnicity,
or other factors that are not related to their scientific competence and integrity.

Competence
Maintain and improve your own professional competence and expertise through lifelong
education and learning; take steps to promote competence in science as a whole.
Legality
Know and obey relevant laws and institutional and governmental policies.

Animal Care
Show proper respect and care for animals when using them in research. Do not
conduct unnecessary or poorly designed animal experiments.

Human Subjects Protection

When conducting research on human subjects, minimize harms and risks and
maximize benefits; respect human dignity, privacy, and autonomy; take special
precautions with vulnerable populations; and strive to distribute the benefits and
burdens of research fairly.