Empirical research on research ethics

Ethics & Behavior
Joan E Sieber

Abstract

Ethics is normative; ethics indicates, in broad terms, what researchers should do. For example, researchers should respect human participants. Empirical study tells us what actually happens. Empirical research is often needed to fine-tune the best ways to achieve normative objectives, for example, to discover how best to achieve the dual aims of gaining important knowledge and respecting participants. Ethical decision making by scientists and institutional review boards should not be based on hunches and anecdotes (e.g., about such matters as what information potential research participants would want to know and what they understand, or what they consider to be acceptable risks). These questions should be answered through empirical research. Some of the preceding articles in this special issue illustrate uses of empirical research on research ethics. This article places empirical research on research ethics into broader perspective and challenges investigators to use the tools of their disciplines to proactively solve ethical problems for which there currently exist no empirically proven solutions.

References

Apr 22, 2006·Ethics & Behavior·Kathleen R DiviakRobin J Mermelstein

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Citations

Apr 24, 2009·Journal of Empirical Research on Human Research Ethics : JERHRE·James M DuboisErica K Rangel
Jun 24, 2010·Journal of Empirical Research on Human Research Ethics : JERHRE·Mary A OttJ Dennis Fortenberry
Aug 30, 2008·Substance Use & Misuse·Jacquelyn SlomkaMark L Williams
Jan 8, 2013·The Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics : a Journal of the American Society of Law, Medicine & Ethics·Emily E Anderson, James M DuBois
Mar 14, 2012·Violence Against Women·James J Clark, Robert Walker
May 31, 2018·Journal of Evidence-informed Social Work·Aidan Ferguson, James J Clark
Apr 30, 2010·Journal international de bioéthique = International journal of bioethics·Stéphane BouchardGeneviève Labonté-Chartrand

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