Question

Explain the main ethical principles you need to consider in using human subjects in research.

Answer 1

According to WHO, 'All researches that consists of human as subjects should be conducted in accordance with four basic ethical principles namely respect for persons, beneficence, non maleficence and

Principle 1. Obtaining consent

One of main principle is obtaining an informed consent. This concept includes all the important information such as the method of research, it's purpose, the problems they might face, the activities they are going to take part in, the harm they might have to face, etc.

The participant should be aware and should have a thorough understanding about:

1) They are participating in a a research

2) They are aware of what is being asked out of them

The most important aspect of this principle is that the participants should be taking part in the research voluntarily. They are doing it out of their will and they haven't be deceived or forced into taking a part.

It is the responsibility of the researcher to make sure that the participant is well aware of all the facts of the research.

Principle 2: Do no harm or minimise the risk of harm

The participant shouldn't be harmed in a research. The harm that can be caused are:

Physical harm

Emotional harm

Mental harm

Social harm

Invasion of privacy of the participant

This harm should be avoided as much as possible.

Principle 3. The right to withdraw from the research

The participant has the right to withdraw from the research at any point of time. They can't be forced to continue. This right should be made aware to the participant in theithe consent taken before the research is conducted.

Principle 4. Confidentiality

The researcher has to keep all the information about the participant confidential. The researcher has to keep in mind that the information about the subject is sensitive. Therefore they have to keep it confidential. If they have to write about it, they have to remove the name as to maintain confidentiality that was promised in the informed consent. This also assures the anonymity of the subject.

Principle 5 No deceptive practices

The participant shouldn't be lied in order to get him/her to volunteer in the research. That's a malpractice the researchers should avoid. There are times when the researcher has to hide the aim of the research in order to maintain the genuineness of the research. However this doesn't mean that they have to be lied to or deceived about. They shouldn't be manipulated or cheated on. Its a violation of ethics.