![]() 11 It is essential to note that all research involve cost to participants even if just their time, and each research study has the potential to hurt participants, hence it is important to ensure that the merit of research outweighs the costs and risks. While the physical injury may be quickly recognised and then avoided or reduced, less evident issues such as emotional, social, and economic factors might hurt the subject without the researcher being aware. 11 Different types of harm could occur, including physical, mental, social, or financial harm. This principle is closely related to beneficence however, it may be difficult to keep track of any damage to study participants. According to the principle of non-maleficence, participating in a study shouldn’t do any harm to the research subject. This is the ethical principle that requires actions that avoid or minimize harm to others. Thus, the study participants must always be prioritised over the research methodology, even if this means invalidating data. 8,10 Researchers are responsible for: (a) structuring the study to minimise the risks of injury or discomfort to participants (b) explaining the possible benefits and dangers of the research to participants and (c) the welfare of the participants in the research setting 8. 8 Beneficence requires the researcher to weigh the prospective benefits and hazards and make certain that projects have the potential for net benefit over harm. 10 It is the fundamental premise underlying all medical health care and research. The ethical principle that requires actions that promote the well-being and interests of others is known as beneficence. 8 This means that all participants in research must participate voluntarily without coercion or undue influence, and their rights, dignity and autonomy should be respected and adequately protected. In cases where the participants have limited capacity to make autonomous decisions, respect for them entails protecting them against harm. 8 Respect also entails giving adequate consideration to people to make their judgements throughout the study process. It involves respecting the participants’ privacy, confidentiality, and cultural sensitivity. 8,10 Respect entails taking into account the well-being, beliefs, perspectives, practises, and cultural heritage of persons participating in research, individually and collectively. Respect for humans is an acknowledgement of their inherent worth, and it refers to the moral imperative to regard the autonomy of others. 8 Examples of unacceptable practices include plagiarism through appropriation or use of the ideas or intellectual property of others falsification by creating false data or other aspects of research (including documentation and consent of participants) distortion through improper manipulation and/or selection of data, images and/or consent. In essence, research must adhere to recognised standards of integrity and be designed, reviewed and conducted in a manner that ensures quality and transparency. Research must be developed with methods that are appropriate to the study’s objectives, based on a thorough analysis of the relevant literature, and conducted using facilities and resources that are appropriate for the study’s needs. 8,9 This is determined by the originality and significance of the research question, the soundness and appropriateness of the research methodology, the rigor and reliability of the data analysis, the clarity and coherence of the research findings, and the potential impact of the research on advancing knowledge or solving practical problems. Research merit and integrity relate to the quality or value of a study in contributing to the knowledge base of a particular field or discipline. Figure 6.1 Ethical principles by Bunmi Malau-Aduli and Faith Alele, used under a CC BY NC 4.0 licence Therefore, everyone involved in human research studies should understand and follow these principles. ![]() These principles are universal, which means they apply everywhere in the world, without national, cultural, legal, or economic boundaries. There are five key ethical research principles – respect for autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice 8, 9 (Figure 6.1). ![]() 8 Before research can be conducted, it is essential for researchers to develop and submit to a relevant human research ethics committee a research proposal that meets the National Statement’s requirements and is ethically acceptable. 7 The National Statement on ‘ethical conduct in human research’ states that ethical behaviour entails acting with integrity, motivated by a deep respect and concern for others. ![]() The term “ethical principles” refers to those general rules that operate as a foundational rationale for the numerous specific ethical guidelines and assessments of human behaviour. There are general ethical principles that guide and underpin the proper conduct of research.
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