Research Ethics, Importance, Objectives and Policies of Research Ethics

Research ethics refers to the Principles and Guidelines that govern the Ethical conduct of research involving human participants or animals. These Principles are designed to ensure that research is conducted in a manner that respects the rights, dignity, and well-being of the individuals or animals involved.

1. RESEARCH ETHICS Dr. KAVITHAMANI R Assistant Professor Department o f Commerce Sri Ramakrishna College of Arts & Science Coimbatore - 641 006 Tamil Nadu, India 1 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

2. Research ethics refers to the Principles and Guidelines that govern the Ethical conduct of research involving human participants or animals. These Principles are designed to ensure that research is conducted in a manner that respects the rights, dignity, and well-being of the individuals or animals involved. Research Ethics is an essential aspect of scientific inquiry and helps maintain the integrity and credibility of research findings. It refers to the moral principles, values, and guidelines that govern the conduct of research. It involves ensuring the rights, safety, and well-being of participants, maintaining scientific integrity, and upholding the trust of the public. Meaning of Research Ethics Sri Ramakrishna College of Arts & Science

3. Research ethics is crucial for the following reasons: 1. Scientific Integrity : Research ethics upholds the integrity and validity of the research process. 2. Compliance: Ethical guidelines ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. 3. Ethical Decision-Making : Ethics guides researchers in navigating complex ethical dilemmas. 4. Collaboration & Reputation : Ethical practices foster collaboration and enhance the reputation of researchers and institutions. 5. Credibility & Trust : Ethical practices enhance the credibility and trustworthiness of research findings. Importance of Research Ethics Sri Ramakrishna College of Arts & Science

4. A better grasp of research ethics can be achieved by understanding the objectives underlying its application. The primary goals of the research include: Protection of Participants : Research ethics focuses on ensuring the well-being and rights of research participants through informed consent, risk minimization, and adequate safeguards. Scientific Integrity: Research ethics upholds the integrity and validity of the research process by promoting unbiased data collection, analysis, and reporting, preventing fraud, and encouraging research reproducibility. Social Responsibility : Research ethics also ensures that the research is carried out in a manner that benefits individuals or society as a whole. Sri Ramakrishna College of Arts & Science OBJECTIVES OF RESEARCH ETHICS

5. The following is a rough and general summary of some ethical principles that various codes address: 1. 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. 2. 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. 3. Integrity: Keep your promises and agreements; act with sincerity; strive for consistency of thought and action . Sri Ramakrishna College of Arts & Science CODES AND POLICIES FOR RESEARCH ETHICS

6. 4. 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. 5. Openness: Share data, results, ideas, tools, resources. Be open to criticism and new ideas. 6. 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. 7. Confidentiality: Protect confidential communications, such as papers or grants submitted for publication, personnel records, trade or military secrets, and patient records. Sri Ramakrishna College of Arts & Science CODES AND POLICIES FOR RESEARCH ETHICS

7. 8 . Responsible Publication: Publish in order to advance research and scholarship, not to advance just your own career. Avoid wasteful and duplicative publication. 9. Responsible Mentoring: Help to educate, mentor, and advise students. Promote their welfare and allow them to make their own decisions. 10. Respect for colleagues: Respect your colleagues and treat them fairly. 11. Social Responsibility: Strive to promote social good and prevent or mitigate social harms through research, public education, and advocacy. 12. 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. Sri Ramakrishna College of Arts & Science CODES AND POLICIES FOR RESEARCH ETHICS

8. 13 . 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. 14. Legality: Know and obey relevant laws and institutional and governmental policies. 15. Animal Care: Show proper respect and care for animals when using them in research. Do not conduct unnecessary or poorly designed animal experiments. 16. Confidentiality: Participant identities and data should be kept confidential and protected. 17. Vulnerable Groups: Special care should be taken when involving sensitive groups in research. Sri Ramakrishna College of Arts & Science CODES AND POLICIES FOR RESEARCH ETHICS

9. 18. Beneficence and Nonmaleficence : Researchers are responsible for protecting participants and the public from unethical practices. 19. Informed Consent: Participants should be fully informed about the research and its potential risks. 20. Plagiarism : Researchers should not present someone else’s work as their own or present their own work in multiple forms as unique. 21. Fabrication: Manipulating or altering research outcomes is unethical. 22. Falsification: Researchers should not manipulate research materials or omit data to misrepresent the research. Sri Ramakrishna College of Arts & Science CODES AND POLICIES FOR RESEARCH ETHICS

10. Understanding the components of ethical research is equally crucial, as explained below: Integrity : Researchers must uphold truthfulness and honesty in their findings and adhere to moral practices during the research process. Objectivity: Research work should have a well-defined and directional objective, ensuring a focused and unbiased approach. Professional Competency : Researchers should possess the necessary skills and expertise to handle, analyze , and interpret data accurately, ensuring the true nature of the research outcome. Confidentiality: The anonymity of participants should be preserved and protected, ensuring their well-being and preventing any potential harm in the future . Professional Behavior : Researchers are expected to demonstrate professional conduct when interacting with participants, maintaining impartiality and avoiding biases in the research outcome. Sri Ramakrishna College of Arts & Science COMPONENTS OF ETHICAL RESEARCH

11. Principles that guide ethical research practices include: Respect for Autonomy : Researchers must respect the autonomy and rights of research participants, allowing them to make informed decisions regarding their participation in the study. Beneficence : Researchers should prioritize the well-being and welfare of participants, minimizing harm and maximizing benefits. They must strive to do good and avoid any unnecessary risks. Justice : Ethical research demands fairness and equity in participant selection, avoiding exploitation or discrimination. It involves considering the distribution of research burdens and benefits across different populations . Fidelity and Responsibility : Researchers must recognize their duties and actively contribute their findings for the betterment of society as a whole. Participant Recruitment : The selection of participants should be based on a logical and justified approach, considering specific criteria for choosing one participant over others. Sri Ramakrishna College of Arts & Science PRINCIPLES OF ETHICAL RESEARCH