Ethics of Research Methodology and Different Types of Ethical Codes

There are various reasons why fundamental scientific behavior rules must be followed throughout academic research. The scientific community’s reputation and the public’s willingness to assess and accept new findings are heavily reliant on the integrity of published results. When humans or animals are included in the research, it is crucial to create a clear boundary between acceptable and inappropriate behavior. Because of the competitive nature of clinical research organization, scientists are finding it more challenging to publish unique and groundbreaking findings. Nonetheless, specific individuals of the research field continue to engage in falsely reporting information and scientific conclusions.

The following topics are covered by many, if not all, ethical codes:

Integrity and honesty

It implies you must disclose your study honestly, including your methodology (what you performed), data, findings, and whether or not you have already posted any of it. You should not fabricate any information, including extrapolating unduly from any of your conclusions or engaging in any behavior perceived as an attempt to deceive someone. It’s preferable to undersell rather than oversell your results.

Objectivity

Any part of your study, including data analysis,  design, analysis, and peer review, should be free of bias. For example, you must never propose a peer reviewer who you know or with whom you have already worked, and you should make every effort to make sure that neither group is unintentionally left out of your study. This also entails disclosing any financial or personal interests that could influence your investigation.

Carefulness

To prevent making thoughtless blunders, be cautious while doing your study. To guarantee that your findings are legitimate, you should analyze your work thoroughly and critically. It’s also crucial to maintain meticulous notes of your results. If you’ve been requested to serve as a subject expert, you should take a moment to do so thoroughly and efficiently.

Openness

When you submit your findings, you should be ready to share your results and analysis and any new tools you’ve built since this helps to progress knowledge and research. You should be open to new ideas and criticism.

Intellectual Property Is Respected

It would help if you never attempted to pass off someone else’s work as your own by plagiarising or copying it. You should always get permission before utilizing other people’s tools or techniques, unpublished data, or findings. Plagiarism occurs when this is not done. Copyrights and patents, and different types of intellectual property must be respected, and contributions to your study must always be acknowledged. If you’re unsure, believe it to prevent being accused of plagiarism.

Confidentiality

Something that has been given to you in confidence should be treated with care. You also should follow the requirements for safeguarding sensitive data, such as medical records.

Publication with Integrity

You should publish not just to improve your career but also to enhance the status of research and knowledge. This indicates that you should never post anything that isn’t original or a reprint of someone else’s work.

Legality

Always be informed of the laws and regulations governing your profession, and make sure that you follow them.

Concern for Animals

If you’re going to use animals in your study, be sure your studies are essential and well-designed. You should also treat the animals you’re employing with respect and ensure they’re well-cared.

These ethical codes make it possible for research organizations to make their groundbreaking discoveries. Check out the infographic below to see how one example of painstaking research, backed by ethics, makes it to the consumer base– medicine!

Infographic provided by The Emmes Company, a clinical data management organization