Why are research ethics essential? (Select all that apply.)

Question

a. Research subjects must be protected from accidental disclosure of information.
b. Institutional review boards exist to protect patient rights.
c. Researcher misconduct may result in dissemination of potentially harmful results.
d. Results published in professional journals represent a clear violation of privacy.
e. Research subjects must be protected from deliberate violation of their rights.

Answer 1

ANS: A, C, E
Ethical research is essential to generate sound knowledge for practice. The ethical conduct of research has been a focus since the 1940s because of the mistreatment of human subjects in selected studies. Human rights are claims and demands that have been justified in the eyes of an individual or by the consensus of a group of individuals. Having rights is necessary for the self-respect, dignity, and health of an individual. The human rights that require protection in research are (1) self-determination, (2) privacy, (3) anonymity and confidentiality, (4) fair treatment, and (5) protection from discomfort and harm. Although institutional review boards exist to protect patient rights, this is not a reason that research ethics are essential. Results published in professional journals do not represent a violation of privacy if the researcher has attended to ethical mandates.