lecture 28 - research ethics

Question 1

what is beneficence in research ethics

Answer 1

the obligations that we have to benefit others

• in research it is the obligation to ensure that the research is generating something of value that justifies the costs

Question 2

what is non maleficence in research ethics

Answer 2

the obligation that we have no to harm others without a justifying reason

• in research it is being aware of the various potential harms to participants and others, and either taking steps to avoid these or ensuring that the benefits are sufficient to justify these harms

Question 3

what is clinical equipoise

Answer 3

the idea that the participant should not suffer any substantial disadvantage from being in the study

Question 4

what is a vulnerable participant and some examples

Answer 4

any person who is more at risk of exploitation because of social or physical disadvantages

• poorer people
• less educated
• cognitive impairments
• children
• prisoners
• older people

Question 5

how can conflicts of interest be managed

Answer 5

• peer review
• blinding
• open access to data
• auditing
• using independent people to recruit participants

Question 6

what does justice require

Answer 6

• transparency
• that all people are considered of equal worth
• that efforts are made to make society equitable

Question 7

what is justice applied to research

Answer 7

• fair distribution of the benefits and burdens of participation in a study
• people should not be excluded on the basis of sex, sexuality, ethnicity, national origin, education etc - except where such exclusions are essential for the study