Which ethical principles need to be followed in a research project dealing with human beings?

A. All participants must give their informed consent

B. All participants should have adequate information on the experiment in which they are participants

C. Rough treatment of participants is sometimes justifiable

D. Some unwilling participants may be included

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

The correct answer is - 2) A and B only

Key Points

• Informed Consent
  • All participants must give their informed consent before taking part in a research project. This ensures that they are voluntarily participating with full understanding of the research.
• Adequate Information
  • Participants should be provided with sufficient information about the experiment, including its purpose, procedures, potential risks, and benefits. This allows them to make an informed decision about their participation.
• Unethical Practices
  • Rough treatment of participants is never justifiable. Ethical research must prioritize the safety and well-being of participants.
  • Including unwilling participants is unethical as it violates the principle of voluntary participation.

Additional Information

• Ethical Guidelines
  • Research involving human participants must adhere to ethical guidelines such as those outlined by the Declaration of Helsinki and the Belmont Report.
  • These guidelines emphasize principles like respect for persons, beneficence, and justice.
• Institutional Review Boards (IRBs)
  • IRBs review research proposals to ensure that ethical standards are met and that participants' rights and welfare are protected.
  • They evaluate factors such as risk minimization, equitable participant selection, and informed consent processes.
• Informed Consent Process
  • The informed consent process involves providing potential participants with comprehensive information about the study and obtaining their voluntary agreement to participate.
  • This process should be documented, and participants should have the opportunity to ask questions and withdraw from the study at any time without penalty.