Ethical Principles (2024)

The goal of scientific research is to advance knowledge and society. However, research also poses many ethical concerns. Three basic ethical principles are outlined in The Belmont Report to serve as a guide for research involving human subjects. These are respect for persons, beneficence and justice.

Basic Ethical Principles

The expression "basic ethical principles" refers to those general judgments that serve as a basic justification for the many particular ethical prescriptions and evaluations of human actions. Three basic principles, among those generally accepted in our cultural tradition, are particularly relevant to the ethics of research involving human subjects: the principles of respect of persons, beneficence and justice.

1.Respect for Persons- Respect for persons incorporates two ethical convictions: first, that individuals should be treated as autonomous agents, and second, that persons with diminished autonomy are entitled to protection.

2.Beneficence- Persons are treated in an ethical manner not only by respecting their decisions and protecting them from harm, but also by making efforts to secure their well-being. The term "beneficence" is often understood to cover acts of kindness or charity that go beyond strict obligation. In this document, beneficence is understood in a stronger sense, as an obligation. Two general rules have been formulated as complementary expressions of beneficent actions in this sense: (1) do not harm and (2) maximize possible benefits and minimize possible harms.

3.Justice- The concepts of justice are commonly understood as (1) to each person an equal share, (2) to each person according to individual need, (3) to each person according to individual effort, (4) to each person according to societal contribution, and (5) to each person according to merit. Conceptions of justice are relevant to research involving human subjects. For example, the selection of research subjects needs to be scrutinized in order to determine whether some classes (e.g., welfare patients, particular racial and ethnic minorities, or persons confined to institutions) are being systematically selected simply because of their easy availability, their compromised position, or their manipulability, rather than for reasons directly related to the problem being studied.

Application of the Belmont Report

1.Informed Consent- Respect for persons requires that subjects, to the degree that they are capable, be given the opportunity to choose what shall or shall not happen to them. This opportunity is provided when adequate standards for informed consent are satisfied. The consent process can be analyzed as containing three elements: information, comprehension and voluntariness.

2. Assessment of Risks and Benefits- The assessment of risks and benefits requires a careful review of relevant data, including, in some cases, alternative ways of obtaining the benefits sought in the research. Thus, the assessment presents both an opportunity and a responsibility to gather systematic and comprehensive information about proposed research. For the investigator, it is a means to examine whether the proposed research is properly designed. For a review committee, it is a method for determining whether the risks that will be presented to subjects are justified. For prospective subjects, the assessment will assist the determination whether or not to participate.

3. Selection of Subjects- Just as the principle of respect for persons finds expression in the requirements for consent, and the principle of beneficence in risk/benefit assessment, the principle of justice gives rise to moral requirements that there be fair procedures and outcomes in the selection of research subjects.

Ethical Principles (2024)

FAQs

How do you answer ethical questions? ›

How to answer ethical dilemma interview questions
  • Think of an experience and how you handled it. ...
  • Relate your actions to the company's values or mission. ...
  • Prioritize the company's needs and interests. ...
  • Emphasize acting with integrity. ...
  • Apply the STAR response technique.
Oct 14, 2023

What does it mean to follow ethical principles your answer? ›

The expression "basic ethical principles" refers to those general judgments that serve as a basic justification for the many particular ethical prescriptions and evaluations of human actions.

What are the 7 principles of ethical decision making? ›

In summary, integrity, respect, responsibility, fairness, compassion, courage, and wisdom are the seven principles of ethical decision-making.

What are the ethical principles to consider? ›

The Fundamental Principles of Ethics
  • Beneficence. ...
  • Nonmaleficence. ...
  • Autonomy. ...
  • Informed Consent. ...
  • Truth-Telling. ...
  • Confidentiality. ...
  • Justice.

What is ethics in simple answer? ›

What is ethics? The term ethics may refer to the philosophical study of the concepts of moral right and wrong and moral good and bad, to any philosophical theory of what is morally right and wrong or morally good and bad, and to any system or code of moral rules, principles, or values.

What are examples of ethical questions? ›

Example: Should individuals who donate kidneys be allowed to choose who their organs should go to? Under what conditions should people be kept artificially alive? Ethical, Religious Can be answered by moral reflection related to what it means to be a 'person' and who should have responsibility for someone else's life.

What is an ethical principle example? ›

There are some ethics, or moral principles, that are generally agreed upon such as that it's wrong to kill another person, returning a lost wallet is good, littering is bad, and so on.

What are the four main ethical principles? ›

An overview of ethics and clinical ethics is presented in this review. The 4 main ethical principles, that is beneficence, nonmaleficence, autonomy, and justice, are defined and explained. Informed consent, truth-telling, and confidentiality spring from the principle of autonomy, and each of them is discussed.

How to adhere to ethical principles? ›

Principles
  1. Practice reasonable, responsible, and transparent behavior … … that consciously avoids harmful actions by embodying high ethical standards. … ...
  2. Act without bias … … ...
  3. Ensure equitable access … … ...
  4. Comply with laws … … ...
  5. Protect confidentiality of …

What are ethical principles and responsibility? ›

Definition: Ethical responsibility is the ability to recognize, interpret and act upon multiple principles and values according to the standards within a given field and/or context.

What is a good ethical decision making? ›

Ethical decision-making is based on core character values like trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and good citizenship. Ethical decisions generate ethical behaviors and provide a foundation for good business practices. See a model for making ethical decisions.

What are the 5 P's of ethical decision making? ›

These principles, otherwise known as the Five P's of Ethical Power are - Purpose, Pride, Patience, Persistence and Perspective. Purpose: This means an objective or intention - something towards which one is always striving.

What are three basic ethical principles? ›

Three basic principles, among those generally accepted in our cultural tradition, are particularly relevant to the ethics of research involving human subjects: the principles of respect of persons, beneficence and justice.

What are common good ethical principles? ›

The Common-Good Approach

This approach to ethics assumes a society comprising individuals whose own good is inextricably linked to the good of the community. Community members are bound by the pursuit of common values and goals.

Why are ethical principles important? ›

Ethics has influence over the decisions we make and the actions we take, from our personal lives to our professional careers, and beyond. We are all part of an interconnected global community. Our contributions to the common good, no matter how big or how small, can have a lasting impact.

How do you respond to ethical issues? ›

How to Act and React to an Ethical Dilemma
  1. Repeat Back and Clarify. ...
  2. Ask Ethical Questions. ...
  3. Focus on your Manager's Best Interests. ...
  4. Suggest an Alternative Solution. ...
  5. Escalate Situations. ...
  6. Blow the whistle. ...
  7. Leave Unethical Environments, If Necessary.
Apr 19, 2023

How do you answer ethical considerations? ›

When answering questions about ethical dilemmas, it is important to acknowledge both points of view. However, be sure to decisively choose one point of view that you support and explain why you chose that path. This is another way problem solving abilities and decision making skills can be incorporated into an answer.

How do you answer work ethic questions? ›

Tips for Answering Work Ethic-Based Interview Questions
  1. Show, Don't Just Tell. Use specific examples from your past work experiences to demonstrate your work ethic. ...
  2. Highlight Your Consistency. ...
  3. Discuss Your Time Management Skills. ...
  4. Emphasize Your Adaptability. ...
  5. Reflect on Feedback and Growth.
Apr 15, 2024

How do you deal with ethical questions? ›

RIGHT Decision Method
  1. Recognize the ethical dilemma.
  2. Identify points of view.
  3. Gather resources and assistance.
  4. Have a plan.
  5. Take action based on ethical standards.

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