Ethical Research Conduct: Assessment Answers

Introduction

The outline of every research project or study is aimed at achieving targets through the use of data collection methods, data analysis, sampling size, sampling techniques and other such tools. These are accommodated in the research to furnish the required results based on a certain hypothesis, however, it is pertinent to maintain professional standards while conducting the research.^[1] Additionally, the researcher is surrounded with the responsibility to inhibit proper care and conduct the research with due diligence. In pursuance of this, the researcher becomes automatically liable to instil professional standards of research so that the study is reliable and genuine.^[2] Therefore, this research is focused on analysing the importance of ethical considerations in research. Subsequently, this research will highlight those parameters wherein professional ethics should be maintained which can help enhance the scope of research and types of research misconduct based on reports in Malta will also be mentioned. This will be followed by a conclusion emphasising the importance of ethical research conduct.

What is Ethical Research?

Academicians, scholars, policy-makers and other professionals pursue morally and ethically led research. Research ethics is the principle that is enforced by the researcher which indicates responsibility to his research and society. The use of ethical research ensures that a reliable standard of information is presented in the study which further enables the aspect of authenticity and genuineness.^[3] Additionally, it backs the appropriateness of data and statistics and safeguards the interest of any research subjects. This involves three key areas that are manifested while conducting the research i.e., content, form and use.^[4]

Importance of Ethical Research

Research work should be done ethically as it provides a path to successful research. By inducting moral and ethical standards of research, the researcher can serve high-quality information gathered and can get an appraisal for the work done. Other than this basic importance of ethical research, it should be noted that performing studies with morals helps maintain the integrity and objectivity of the research. Furthermore, it gives additional and unexplored information in any field under which research is being done. This might enable discoveries and inventions which is beneficial for society as a whole.^[5] 

Guiding Principles of Ethical Research

It should be noted that as per the guidelines mentioned by the Association of Social Anthropologists of the United Kingdom, the content should contain authentic resources and should not propose any misleading information. The researcher should ensure that the facts and figures mentioned in the content of the research are supported by evidence that is relevant at the time of the research. Apart from this, several other basic guiding principles highlight the use of ethical research in different areas which are mentioned below:^[6]

1. Appropriate Involvement of Research Participants

People voluntarily participating in the research or research subjects is an important aspect of a study that helps in gaining the results of the hypothesis. Therefore, their involvement should protect their interest. Before beginning the experiment, the researcher must obtain informed consent from the subject. This is the responsibility of the researcher to take consent from all the concerned parties of the research. This can be done by disclosing relevant information like why the research is being conducted or what kind of test will occur and what can be the possible consequences of being a participant in this research. Additionally, there should be an undertaking signed by the participant along with the contract.

2. Avoid Misleading Information

False facts and fake information with wrong figures or outdated information are considered undue intrusions of ethical research. Therefore, a researcher is guided to follow proper sources and manifest only the information which is true or is backed up by updated information.

3. Confidentiality

Researchers publish the kind of work which will entail a new foundation or adds new information to the existing theory. To achieve this, it is the responsibility of the researcher to keep the information and findings of any experiment confidential. Along with this, the researcher should also keep the identity or profile of the concerned parties anonymous, especially if the participants have asked for it.

4. Non-exploitation of Resources

Researchers should ensure that their research does not interfere with society’s laws and the jurisdiction in which the study is conducted. It can be done by taking appropriate measures like ensuring the absence of any illegal activity. Another aspect in which resources should not be exploited is while reviewing literature or taking references from previous work. The researcher should cite appropriate sources with proper referencing.

Basic Ethical Considerations

Primarily there are five stages in every research. The first stage is constituted of the proposal of the research work which is followed by approval from the authority. After this, the stage of operation takes place wherein the research work is pursued and subsequently the documentation of the research is drafted. The final stage is when the researcher publishes his work. It should be noted that as per the Code of Ethics formulated by the Malta Psychology Professional Board, every stage involves the use of ethical consideration to maintain the quality of the work which will lead to its publication.^[7]

1. Competent Area of Work

In this, the researcher should focus on that particular area in which he has been studying or has gained specialisation, training, experience or education. This further includes those aspects of research fields wherein the researcher is professionally capable of enhancing the current knowledge which will further add credibility to the existing database of information.

2. Record Keeping

It is reiterated that the participant should be only involved if they are volunteering themselves. Any means of force or coercion is strictly prohibited. This further adds to the researcher’s responsibility to take due consent from the research subjects and disclose any information. Moreover, the researcher should maintain confidentiality and ensure that the records of the participants are privately kept with the researcher only or anyone who the participant authorises.

3. Risk

The researcher should be well aware of the potential risks and similarly, all the precautionary measures should be taken to avoid any means of harm. The consideration of the future risk while conducting the research is ethically mandated so that the parties involved in the study are not being exploited. The risk of harm is measured in qualitative research analysis which further involves interviews or experiments on the participants as the data collection method. Therefore, the researcher should take calculative risks only.^[9]

4. Sampling

The researcher should ensure that the research question and the aim of the research are fulfilled and this can be pursued by choosing the right research methods and subsequently the correct area of participants. For instance, if the research is conducted whose aim is to identify and determine the cultural impact of a famous French cafe, then the researcher should recruit those participants who have lived in France and knows French or English. This type of ethical consideration indicates that the researcher should ensure that the sampling size coincides with the aim of the study.

What constitutes Ethical Misconduct?

Ethical Misconduct occurs when the integrity of the research is not prioritised or when the researcher is purposely unable to maintain a standardised practice of ethics and morals. These acts of misconduct are questionable and are mostly reported by collaborators, colleagues or higher authorities. Additionally, this is regarded as a type of fraud.^[11]

Manipulation of Data is the most common form of ethical misconduct. In this, the researcher presents falsified data or adds interruptions in a controlled study room. This is done to make the research more interesting but it is based on fake facts. This practice can be done in quantitative analysis wherein the statistics are fabricated. Similarly, ethical misconduct can be pursued in qualitative analysis in which the answers from the focus groups or the interviews can be scripted.^[12] Furthermore, research shows that controlling the trial room or focus group studies compromises the quality and credibility of the work. As a solution, the Malta Medical Journal has incorporated a Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) to monitor the work.^[13]

Apart from this, Plagiarism is a growing problem in the academic world and involves the practices of directly or indirectly using another person’s idea, research, and opinions and using the same in the current research. This is the type of shortcut that is used by students to speed up the research process. However, it should be noted that there is a difference between referring to or interpreting another person’s work and directly appropriating the concept and idea. Therefore, referencing and citing proper sources is done to give credit to the original author. Although plagiarism is an unethical practice that lacks credit to the sources.^[14]

Conclusion

The conceptualisation of data and information into a document and proposing new theories is the reason why research is conducted. This is mentioned by National Regulations on Ethics and Research in Malta which further emphasises that ethical consideration gives the research a push in advance so that the process becomes smoother. The main problem which interferes with keeping research integrity is that there is a lack of awareness about conducting ethical research.^[15] The potential solution to this issue can be to familiarize people with ethical considerations in the initial stages only. The credibility should remain intact on the work being original and proper feedback should be given to the people who use unfair means. Another way to prevent ethical misconduct is by strictly monitoring the data so that misleading information is recognised. In the end, it is established that only authentic and original work should be given credit because it majorly contributes to the existing knowledge and safeguards the integrity of the researcher which makes it reliable for the readers.

Bibliography

Journals

Amirhossein Mardani, Maryam Nakhoda, Alireza Noruzi and Ehsan Shamsi Gooshki, ‘Ethical considerations in the biomedical research: analysis of national biomedical research ethics guidelines in Iran’ (2019) 12(4) JMEHM <https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6642447/> accessed 19 April 2023

Behnam Taebi, Jeroen van den Hoven and Stephanie J. Bird, ‘The importance of Ethics in Modern Universities of Technology’ (2019) 25 SEE <https://doi.org/10.1007/s11948-019-00164-6> accessed 19 April 2023

Élie Beauchemin, Louis Pierre Côté, Marie-Josée Drolet and Bryn Williams-Jones, ‘Conceptualising Ethical Issues in the Conduct of Research: Results from a Critical and Systematic Literature Review’ (2022) 20 JAE <https://doi.org/10.1007/s10805-021-09411-7> accessed 19 April 2023

Knut Jørgen Vie, ‘How should researchers cope with the ethical demands of discovering research misconduct? Going beyond reporting and whistleblowing’ (2020) 16(6) LSSP <https://doi.org/10.1186/s40504-020-00102-6> accessed 19 April 2023

Lieke H. Van Stekelenburg, Doret De Ruyter and Wouter Sanderse, ‘“Equipping students with an ethical compass.” What does it mean, and what does it imply?’ (2020) 16(1) EE <https://doi.org/10.1080/17449642.2020.1860315> accessed 19 April 2023

Marie-Josée Drolet, Eugénie Rose-Derouin, Julie-Claude Leblanc, Mélanie Ruest, and Bryn Williams-Jones, ‘Ethical Issues in Research: Perceptions of Researchers, Research Ethics Board Members and Research Ethics Experts’ (2022) JAE <https://doi.org/10.1007/s10805-022-09455-3> accessed 19 April 2023

Nazmul Hasan, ‘Ethical Considerations in Research’ (2021) 1(1) JNRPSP <https://doi.org/10.55529/jnrpsp11.1.4> accessed 19 April 2023

Robert Hauptman, ‘Fraud and Misconduct in Research: Detection, Investigation, and Organizational Response’ (2019) 28(2) JIE <https://www.proquest.com/openview/56a4942a333674af4fb6f123bb6ff7b8/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=2035668> accessed 19 April 2023

Shipra Awasthi, ‘Plagiarism and Academic Misconduct: A Systematic Review’ (2019) 39(2) JLIT <https://doi.org/10.14429/djlit.39.2.13622> accessed 19 April 2023

Siti Roshaidai Mohd Arifin, ‘Ethical Considerations in Qualitative Study’ (2018) 1(2) IJCS <https://doi.org/10.31436/ijcs.v1i2.82> accessed 19 April 2023

Twan Huybers, Bronwyn Greene and Detlef H. Rohr, ‘Academic research integrity: Exploring researchers’ perceptions of responsibilities and enablers’ (2020) 27(3) AR <https://doi.org/10.1080/08989621.2020.1732824> accessed 19 April 2023

Wentao Li, Esmée M. Bordewijk, Ben W. Mol, ‘Assessing Research Misconduct in Randomized Controlled Trials’ (2021) 138(3) OG <https://doi.org/10.1097/AOG.0000000000004513> accessed 19 April 2023

Books

David B. Resnik, ‘What is Ethics in Research & Why is it Important?’ (National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, 23 December 2020) <https://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/resources/bioethics/whatis/index.cfm> accessed 19 April 2023

Reports

ASA Ethics: Ethical Guidelines for Good Research Practice, 1 December 2022, Association of Social Anthropologists of the UK <https://www.theasa.org/ethics/guidelines.shtml> accessed 19 April 2023

Ministry for Social Justice and Solidarity, the Family & Children’s Rights, Malta Psychology Profession Board, Code of Ethics and Conduct (2020) <https://family.gov.mt/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Code-of-Ethics-and-Conduct-December-2020.pdf> accessed 19 April 2023

^[1] Nazmul Hasan, ‘Ethical Considerations in Research’ (2021) 1(1) JNRPSP <https://doi.org/10.55529/jnrpsp11.1.4> accessed 19 April 2023

^[2] Twan Huybers, Bronwyn Greene and Detlef H. Rohr, ‘Academic research integrity: Exploring researchers’ perceptions of responsibilities and enablers’ (2020) 27(3) AR <https://doi.org/10.1080/08989621.2020.1732824> accessed 19 April 2023

^[3] Behnam Taebi, Jeroen van den Hoven and Stephanie J. Bird, ‘The importance of Ethics in Modern Universities of Technology’ (2019) 25 SEE <https://doi.org/10.1007/s11948-019-00164-6> accessed 19 April 2023

^[4] Lieke H. Van Stekelenburg, Doret De Ruyter and Wouter Sanderse, ‘“Equipping students with an ethical compass.” What does it mean, and what does it imply?’ (2020) 16(1) EE <https://doi.org/10.1080/17449642.2020.1860315> accessed 19 April 2023

^[5] David B. Resnik, ‘What is Ethics in Research & Why is it Important?’ (National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, 23 December 2020) <https://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/resources/bioethics/whatis/index.cfm> accessed 19 April 2023

^[6] ASA Ethics: Ethical Guidelines for Good Research Practice, 1 December 2022, Association of Social Anthropologists of the UK <https://www.theasa.org/ethics/guidelines.shtml> accessed 19 April 2023

^[7] Amirhossein Mardani, Maryam Nakhoda, Alireza Noruzi and Ehsan Shamsi Gooshki, ‘Ethical considerations in the biomedical research: analysis of national biomedical research ethics guidelines in Iran’ (2019) 12(4) JMEHM <https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6642447/> accessed 19 April 2023

^[8] Ministry for Social Justice and Solidarity, the Family & Children’s Rights, Code of Ethics and Conduct (2020) <https://family.gov.mt/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Code-of-Ethics-and-Conduct-December-2020.pdf> accessed 19 April 2023

^[9] Siti Roshaidai Mohd Arifin, ‘Ethical Considerations in Qualitative Study’ (2018) 1(2) IJCS <https://doi.org/10.31436/ijcs.v1i2.82> accessed 19 April 2023

^[10] Marie-Josée Drolet, Eugénie Rose-Derouin, Julie-Claude Leblanc, Mélanie Ruest, and Bryn Williams-Jones, ‘Ethical Issues in Research: Perceptions of Researchers, Research Ethics Board Members and Research Ethics Experts’ (2022) JAE <https://doi.org/10.1007/s10805-022-09455-3> accessed 19 April 2023

^[11] Robert Hauptman, ‘Fraud and Misconduct in Research: Detection, Investigation, and Organizational Response’ (2019) 28(2) JIE <https://www.proquest.com/openview/56a4942a333674af4fb6f123bb6ff7b8/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=2035668> accessed 19 April 2023

^[12] Knut Jørgen Vie, ‘How should researchers cope with the ethical demands of discovering research misconduct? Going beyond reporting and whistleblowing’ (2020) 16(6) LSSP <https://doi.org/10.1186/s40504-020-00102-6> accessed 19 April 2023

^[13] Wentao Li, Esmée M. Bordewijk, Ben W. Mol, ‘Assessing Research Misconduct in Randomized Controlled Trials’ (2021) 138(3) OG <https://doi.org/10.1097/AOG.0000000000004513> accessed 19 April 2023

^[14] Shipra Awasthi, ‘Plagiarism and Academic Misconduct: A Systematic Review’ (2019) 39(2) JLIT <https://doi.org/10.14429/djlit.39.2.13622> accessed 19 April 2023

^[15] Élie Beauchemin, Louis Pierre Côté, Marie-Josée Drolet and Bryn Williams-Jones, ‘Conceptualising Ethical Issues in the Conduct of Research: Results from a Critical and Systematic Literature Review’ (2022) 20 JAE <https://doi.org/10.1007/s10805-021-09411-7> accessed 19 April 2023

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