Ethical Principles & Responsible Conduct in Research

Abstract

Research has made important contribution to the progress and development of society. As a systematic and organized activity, the conduct of research must be guided by some ethical rules and guidelines in all the six phases of research including conception of the research, approval from a properly constituted ethics review committee, data collection, data analysis, report writing and dissemination. Research ethics is the application of rules or guidelines for the conduct of research. Ethics has important roles to play in all stages of research, from the conception of the research to the dissemination of the findings. The principles of research that regulate the conduct of research are respect for persons, beneficence, justice, and non-maleficence. Responsible researchers must apply these principles to ensure that research is conducted in ways that ensure that both the goals of science and ethics are achieved. Researchers have scientific and ethical obligation to conduct research with the highest degree of responsibility