Ethical Dimensions of Research Studies - Term Paper Example

Ethical Dimensions of Research Studies Ethical dimensions of Research Studies According to Siegel , a research conducted in Naples, Italy focused on 498 School going children who were all white, involved intentionally exposing these children to smoke. The research involved evaluating and assessing sleep bruxism among these children. The parents and guardian were required to inform the researchers involved on their frequency of smoking when their child or children were present. This study went against all ethical standards of research behavior as the lives of children who were the subjects were put in danger.

There is a moral standard and guideline referred to as beneficence in research. This moral standard requires all researchers to conduct their activities in the course of their studies or methodical investigations in a manner that enhances the well-being of test subjects (Bulger et-al, 2012). In other words, the health, safety, and welfare of individuals involved in the study ought to be the most important aspect and consideration of the study. Results from the study elucidated the fact that exposure to this smoke had considerable health effects on the children involved as test subjects.

All researchers have a duty to inform individuals involved in research as subjects on the dangers and threats posed by a particular research or study. Giving the subjects all information regarding the dangers is of significance as it helps them to make an informed decision. Before any research activities commence, it is important for the subjects to sign an informed consent form whereby they ascertain that they have made informed decisions without any intimidation of coercion on being subjects of a particular test or procedure.

Signing a consent form safeguards the researcher from any legal action that could be taken against his/her by these subjects. Some research activities or studies have negative consequences and therefore individuals in charge of the research could be sued for damages. According to Fouka and Mantzorou (2011), “Informed consent seeks to incorporate the rights of autonomous individuals through self-determination. It also seeks to prevent assault on the integrity of the patient and protects personal liberty and veracity” (p. 4). In these children’s case, the researchers did not inform the subjects on the dangers and implications that could follow exposure of secondhand smoke to children.

In doing so, they failed to provide them with appropriate information and facts that he could have used to make an informed decision on whether to become subjects of the study or not. To minimize the effects of the smoke on children in this study, the researchers involved could have first of all identified, assessed, and evaluated the threats of the study on the lives of the subjects. After this, they should have deliberated and ruminated on the possible negative consequences, and consequently decided whether the benefits of the study overshadowed the consequences on health of the subjects.

Research can be done on sensitive issues and at the same time protect the right of the test subjects. First of all, researchers must obtain informed consent form the proposed subjects before commencement of the study. Secondly, the damage or negative effects of the study must be considered and should not outweigh the advantages. Thirdly, it is important for the researchers involved to respect the independence as well as confidentiality of any medical information associated with the test subjects.

In addition, the right of children and the elderly must also be respected (Fouka and Mantzorou, 2011). References Bulger, R. E., Heiman, E., & Reiser, S. J. (2002). The Ethical Dimensions of the Biological and Health Sciences. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. Fouka, G., & Mantzorou, M. (2011). What are the Major Ethical Issues in Conducting Research? Is there a Conflict between the Research Ethics and the Nature of Nursing. Health Science Journal. Retrieved from http://www.hsj.

gr/volume5/issue1/512.pdf Siegel, M. (2012, July 19). New Study Violates Ethical Principles by Asking Parents to Expose their Children to Secondhand Smoke; Study Should not have been Approved or Published (Web log comment). Retrieved from http://tobaccoanalysis.blogspot.com/2012/07/new-study-violates-ethical-principles.html