![]() ![]() The discussion section of a paper should mention any issues of bias, and explain how they have been dealt with in the design and interpretation of the study. Failure to do so may lead the readers to misinterpret the results without considering possibility of the study being underpowered. ![]() To ensure appropriate data analysis, all sources and methods used to obtain and analyse data should be fully disclosed. There is a tendency for the researchers to under-report negative research findings, 5 and this is partly contributed by pressure from the pharmaceutical industry which funds the clinical trial. For example, in a clinical trial, if a drug is found to be ineffective, this study should be reported. Fabrication and falsification of data do constitute misconduct. Although inappropriate analysis does not necessarily amount to misconduct, intentional omission of result may cause misinterpretation and mislead the readers. It is the responsibility of the researcher to analyse the data appropriately. Consent should be explained and obtained from the subjects or guardians, and steps should be taken to ensure confidentiality of information provided by the subjects. Patient information sheet should be given to the subjects during recruitment, detailing the objectives, procedures, potential benefits and harms, as well as rights to refuse participation in the research. children, prisoners, pregnant women, mentally challenged, educationally and economically disadvantaged). The researchers should pay special attention to vulnerable subjects to avoid breech of ethical codes (e.g. ![]() The research proposal should discuss potential ethical issues pertaining to the research. It is essential to obtain approval from the Institutional Review Board, or Ethics Committee, of the respective organisations for studies involving people, medical records, and anonymised human tissues. Research should seek to answer specific questions, rather than just collect data. ![]() It must be carefully agreed to by all contributors and collaborators, and the precise roles of each team member should be spelled out early, including matters of authorship and publications. To achieve this, a research protocol should be developed and adhered to. To conduct research to a lower standard may constitute misconduct.” 3 This may appear to be a stringent criterion, but it highlights the basic requirement of a researcher is to conduct a research responsibly. I have also included two case scenarios in this paper to illustrate common ethical issues in research and publication.Īccording to COPE, “good research should be well adjusted, well-planned, appropriately designed, and ethically approved. How do we apply all these principles in our daily conduct of research? This paper will discuss different ethical issues in research, including study design and ethical approval, data analysis, authorship, conflict of interest and redundant publication and plagiarism. Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) was also founded in 1997 to address the breaches of research and publication ethics. 3 This declaration highlighted a tripartite guidelines for good clinical practice which include respect for the dignity of the person research should not override the health, well-being and care of subjects principles of justice. In the light of these ethical controversies, the Declaration of Helsinki was established to inform biomedical researchers the principles of clinical research. 1 More recently, the involvement of pharmaceutical industry in clinical trials have raised issues about how to safeguard patient’s care and to ensure the published research findings are objective. For instance, in World War II, medical doctors had conducted unethical experiments on human in the name of science, resulting in harm and even death in some cases. This has resulted in some researchers conducting unethical researches. Moreover, medical researchers have also enjoyed immunity from accountability due to high public regard for science and medicine. They are able to control “life and death” of patients and have free access to their confidential information. Historically, medical doctors have been in the privileged position to carry out research, especially in clinical research which involves people. In the fast-expanding field of biomedical research, this has improved the quality and quantity of life. Research is the pillar of knowledge, and it constitutes an integral part of progress. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |