Institutional Ethics

Different institutions and academic disciplines often have specific requirements regarding ethical approaches to research. Most institutions also have a procedure in place that requires researchers to seek ethical approval from the institution. These procedures have been set up to protect research participants, and are based on principles that have been embedded in international agreements and national laws. The Nuremburg Code [1] (1949) was the first major expression of ethical conduct that set out to protect the rights of people from research abuse, other significant agreements include the World Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki Agreement [2](1964) and the Belmont Report[3] (1979).

Universities for example, are one type of institution that require you to apply for ethical consent before you carry out any research procedures. The usual process entails that you fill out a detailed application form to an ethical committee set up by the institution. The committee's purpose is to consider all ethical issues that may arise from the way in which the research is to be conducted.

There may be other institutions who have their own ethical procedures in place such as District Health Boards, Funding bodies and others. It is vital, that the researcher find out what ethics bodies will need to be consulted on the research, and ensure that the correct process is followed. Some research projects may require that you apply to more than one ethical committee (for example within health research).

Here is an example of some of the ethical considerations they take into account:

  • respect for persons;
  • minimisation of harm to participants , researchers, institutions and groups;
  • informed and voluntary consent;
  • respect for privacy and confidentiality;
  • the avoidance of unnecessary deception;
  • avoidance of conflict of interest;
  • social and cultural sensitivity to the age, gender , culture, religion, social class of the participants;
  • justice

Information on institutional ethical procedures can be required from the institutions themselves. An example of this type of ethical procedure and application process can be found here.

View Code of Ethical conduct section, on Massey University Website

Going through an ethics application is a great way of forcing the research to think thoroughly through the entire research process. While some research projects do not require ethical consent (for example, if you are to be conducting an anonymous questionnaire, or if you will only be interviewing public officials), going through an application is an excellent way of ensuring your research methods, methodology and processes have been thoroughly thought through.

[1]Link: http://ohsr.od.nih.gov/guidelines/nuremberg.html
[2]Link: http://www.trepan.com/agreement.html
[3] Link: http://ohsr.od.nih.gov/guidelines/belmont.html