Ethical concepts (study design)

Question 1

What is meant by the term integrity?

Answer 1

The commitment to searching for knowledge and understanding and the honest reporting of all sources of information and communication of results, whether favourable or unfavourable, in ways that permit scrutiny and contribute to public knowledge and understanding.

Question 2

What is meant by the term justice?

Answer 2

The moral obligation to ensure that there is fair consideration of competing claims; that there is no unfair burden on a particular group from an action; and that there is fair distribution and access to the benefits of an action.

Question 3

What is meant by the term beneficence?

Answer 3

The commitment to maximising benefits and minimising the risks and harms involved in taking a particular position or course of action.

Question 4

What is meant by the term non-malificence?

Answer 4

Involves avoiding the causations of harm. However, as positions or courses of actions in scientific research may involve some degree of harm, the concept of non-maleficence implies that the harm resulting from any position or course of action should not be disproportionate to the benefits from any position or course of action.