Ethics of scientific research in the social sciences

Abstract

Ethics in scientific research is a set of principles and standards that guide the conduct of researchers and ensure that research is conducted in a responsible and respectful manner. Its main objective is to ensure the integrity and validity of research, as well as to protect the rights and well-being of participants and the environment. The current approach to research ethics is strongly influenced by the principles set out in the most important biomedical documents, the Nuremberg Code, the Declaration of Helsinki, the Belmont Report and the CIOMS Guidelines. Current concerns about the ethical quality of scientific research have led to stricter regulation of this field. Universities, research units and institutions need to develop ethical guidelines and establish research ethics committees to ethically review research projects involving human subjects. However, it is essential that researchers are honest with their research, as failure to do so causes science to regress and society to be affected by such conduct.