Ethical considerations in research: Best practices and examples

Doing responsible research means keeping ethics considerations front and center. Ethical practices not only safeguard research participant welfare but also ensures the integrity of your findings. By rigorously applying ethical principles throughout the research process, you not only enhance the methodological robustness of your study but also amplify its potential for meaningful societal impact.

But what does good ethics in research look like? 

From best practices to conducting ethical and impactful research, we explore the meaning and importance of research ethics in modern-day research. 

Examples of ethical considerations in research

As a researcher, you're responsible for ethical research alongside your organization. Fulfilling ethical guidelines is critical. Organizations must see to it that employees follow best practices to protect participants' rights and well-being.

Keep the below considerations in mind when it comes to ethical considerations in research. 

Voluntary participation

Nobody should feel like they're being forced to participate or pressured into doing anything they don't want to. That means giving people a choice and the ability to opt out at any time, even if they've already agreed to take part in the study. 

Researchers must clearly communicate this right to participants. It's necessary for creating an environment where people feel comfortable declining or withdrawing without fear of negative consequences.

Informed consent

Informed consent isn't just an ethical consideration. It's a legal requirement as well. Participants must fully understand what they're agreeing to, including potential risks and benefits.

The best way to go about this is by using a consent form. Make sure you include:

Brief description of the study and research methods

Provide a clear, concise overview of your research goals and how you'll conduct the study. Use simple language so participants understand the nature of their involvement and what they'll be asked to do.

Potential benefits and risks of participating

Outline any possible advantages or drawbacks of taking part in the study. Be honest about potential risks, no matter how small. You’ll allow participants to make an informed decision about their involvement.

Length of the study

Specify how long the study will take. If it involves multiple sessions, provide details on timing and frequency. It means participants will be able to plan their commitment and decide if they can fully engage.

Contact information for the researcher and/or sponsor

Include your name, institution, and contact details. If there's a study sponsor, provide their information too so participants can reach out with questions or concerns before, during, or after the study.

Participant's right to withdraw

Clearly state that participants can leave the study at any time without consequences. Emphasize that withdrawal won't affect their relationship with the researcher or institution to reinforce the voluntary nature of participation.

Cultural sensitivity

Consider cultural differences when conducting research across diverse populations. It will increase the chance that your study is respectful, inclusive, and produces valid results. Understanding cultural context, adapting research methods, and using appropriate language are central steps in this process.

Include team members from various cultural backgrounds on your research team. They can provide valuable insights and help interpret results within the appropriate cultural context. Be mindful of cultural practices that might affect participation, such as scheduling around religious observances or respecting dietary restrictions.

Prioritizing cultural sensitivity will help you conduct more ethical research and likely obtain more accurate, meaningful results from diverse populations. As a result, you can build trust with participants and enhance the overall quality and applicability of your research findings.

Anonymity

Anonymity means that participants aren't identifiable in any way and includes: 

• Name
• Address
• Email address
• Photographs
• Video footage

You need a way to anonymize research data so that it can't be traced back to individual participants. This may involve creating a new digital ID for participants that can’t be linked back to their original identity using numerical codes.

Confidentiality 

Information gathered during a study must be kept confidential. Confidentiality helps to protect the privacy of research participants and also ensures that their information isn't disclosed to unauthorized individuals.

Here are some ways to ensure confidentiality. 

Use a secure server to store data

Store all research data on encrypted servers with strong access controls. Regularly update security measures to protect against potential breaches. Doing so safeguards participant information from unauthorized access or cyber threats.

Remove identifying information from databases

Create separate databases for participant identifiers and research data. Use coded identifiers to link the two, as it prevents direct association between sensitive data and individual participants.

Use a third-party company for data management

Consider partnering with specialized data management firms. They often have advanced security protocols and expertise in handling sensitive information, which can add an extra layer of protection for your research data.

Limit record retention periods

Establish clear timelines for data retention. Delete or destroy participant records once they're no longer needed for research purposes to reduce the risk of accidental disclosure or unauthorized access over time.

Avoid public discussion of findings

Be cautious when discussing research in public settings. Refrain from sharing specific details that could potentially identify participants. Focus on aggregate results and general insights to maintain confidentiality.

Conflict of interest

Researchers must disclose any potential conflicts of interest that could influence their study or its outcomes. Such transparency is important for maintaining the integrity and credibility of scientific research. Conflicts of interest can arise from financial relationships, personal connections, or professional affiliations.

Key considerations for managing conflicts of interest include:

• Full disclosure: Openly declare any potential conflicts in research proposals, publications, and presentations.
• Mitigation strategies: Develop plans to minimize the impact of conflicts on research conduct and outcomes.
• Independent review: Seek evaluation from unbiased third parties to ensure objectivity in research design and analysis.

Addressing conflicts of interest proactively means you can maintain public trust and uphold the ethical standards of their field.

Potential for harm

​​The potential for harm is a major factor in deciding whether a research study should proceed. It can manifest in various forms, such as:

Psychological harm

Research may unintentionally cause stress, anxiety, or emotional distress. Carefully consider the psychological impact of your study design, questions, or tasks. Provide support resources if needed.

Social harm

Some studies might affect participants' relationships or social standing, so think about potential stigma or social consequences. Guarantee confidentiality to minimize risks to participants' social well-being.

Physical harm

While rare in many fields, some studies involve physical risks. Assess all potential physical dangers thoroughly. Implement safety measures and have emergency protocols in place.

Legal harm

Research findings or participation could sometimes lead to legal issues for subjects. Be aware of legal implications. Protect participants from potential legal consequences through careful study design and data handling.

Conduct an ethical review to identify possible harms. Be prepared to explain how you’ll minimize these harms and what support is available in case they do happen.

Ethical use of technology

As research increasingly moves online and incorporates emerging technologies, new ethical challenges arise. Researchers must carefully consider the implications of using digital tools for data collection and analysis. This includes addressing concerns about privacy, data security, and the potential for unintended consequences.

Key considerations for the ethical use of technology in research include:

• Data protection: Implement robust security measures to safeguard participant information collected through digital platforms
• Informed consent: Clearly explain how technology will be used in the study and any potential risks associated with digital data collection
• Algorithmic bias: Be aware of and mitigate potential biases in AI-driven data analysis tools to ensure fair and accurate results

With these issues addressed, you can benefit from technology while upholding ethical standards and protecting participants' rights.

Fair payment

One of the most important aspects of setting up a research study is deciding on fair compensation for your participants. Underpayment is a common ethical issue that shouldn't be overlooked. Properly rewarding participants' time is necessary for boosting engagement and obtaining high-quality data. While Prolific requires a minimum payment of £6.00 / $8.00 per hour, there are other factors you need to consider when deciding on a fair payment.

Institutional guidelines and minimum wage

Check your institution's reimbursement guidelines to see if they already have a minimum or maximum hourly rate. You can also use the national minimum wage as a reference point.

Level of effort and task complexity

Think about the amount of work you're asking participants to do. The level of effort required for a task, such as producing a video recording versus a short survey, should correspond with the reward offered.

Target population considerations

You also need to consider the population you're targeting. You may need to offer more as an incentive to attract research subjects with specific characteristics or high-paying jobs, 

We recommend a minimum payment of £9.00 / $12.00 per hour, but we understand that payment rates can vary depending on a range of factors. Whatever payment you choose should reflect the amount of effort participants are required to put in and be fair to everyone involved.

Ethical research made easy with Prolific

At Prolific, we believe in making ethical research easy and accessible. The findings from the Fairwork Cloudwork report speak for themselves. Prolific was given the top score out of all competitors for minimum standards of fair work.

With over 25,000 researchers in our community, we're leading the way in revolutionizing the research industry. If you're interested in learning more about how we can support your research journey, sign up free to get started now.