ALHL 3301: Research Methods for Health Sciences

Ethical considerations in research are critical. Ethics are the norms or standards for conduct that distinguish between right and wrong, and they help determine the difference between acceptable and unacceptable behaviors. Ethical considerations are important in research because maintaining ethical standards:

• helps prevent against the fabrication or falsifying of data
• promotes the pursuit of knowledge and truth
• encourages an environment of trust, accountability, and mutual respect among researchers in regards to data sharing, co-authorship, copyright guidelines, confidentiality, and other issues
• reassures the public that researchers are following appropriate guidelines in regards to human rights, animal welfare, compliance with the law, conflicts of interest, safety, and health standards
• positively impacts the integrity of the research project and can help secure funding

Many professional associations and agencies have adopted codes and policies that outline ethical behavior and guide researchers. These codes address issues such as honesty, objectivity, respect for intellectual property, social responsibility, confidentiality, non-discrimination, and others. One example of such ethics guidelines is Ethical Issues in Patient Safety Research from the World Health Organization. 

One of the most important ethical considerations in research is the use of human subjects. Most institutions and organizations, including PennWest University, have an Institutional Review Board (IRB). An IRB is a panel of individuals who help to ensure the safety of human subjects in research and who assist in making sure that human rights are not violated. They review research proposals, specifically the methodology, to assure ethical practices are being followed. An IRB also helps to protect the institution and researchers against potential legal implications from any behavior that may be deemed unethical.

Adapted from Ethical Considerations (CIRT)

The following resources provide information and guidelines for the use of human subjects during research:

• Office for Human Research Protections
• Human Subject Regulations Decision Charts
• Human Subjects in Research: Things to Consider (National Institute of Mental Health)
• Research Using Human Subjects (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases)
• Informed Consent (American Medical Association)