Week 12 Learning Outcomes

Question 1

How can common ethical issues influence health research and practice?

Answer 1

Common ethical issues can lead to mistrust, affect participant recruitment, and impact the validity of research findings.

Ethical issues may include informed consent, confidentiality, and the potential for harm to participants.

Question 2

What are the roles of ethics committees?

Answer 2

Ethics committees review research proposals, ensure compliance with ethical standards, and protect the rights and welfare of research participants.

They also provide guidance on ethical dilemmas and promote ethical conduct in research.

Question 3

Define ‘informed consent’.

Answer 3

‘Informed consent’ is the process by which participants are fully informed about the research and voluntarily agree to participate.

This includes understanding the risks, benefits, and the nature of the research.

Question 4

What does ‘beneficence’ mean in health research?

Answer 4

‘Beneficence’ refers to the ethical principle of doing good and maximizing benefits while minimizing harm to participants.

It emphasizes the responsibility of researchers to ensure participant welfare.

Question 5

Explain the term ‘vulnerability’ in the context of health research.

Answer 5

‘Vulnerability’ refers to individuals or groups who may be at greater risk of harm or exploitation during research due to factors like age, disability, or socioeconomic status.

Special protections are often required for vulnerable populations.

Question 6

What is meant by ‘justice’ in health research ethics?

Answer 6

‘Justice’ is the principle that requires fair distribution of the benefits and burdens of research among all groups, ensuring no group is unfairly burdened or excluded.

This principle addresses issues of equity in research participation.

Question 7

Define ‘contribution to knowledge’.

Answer 7

‘Contribution to knowledge’ refers to the aim of research to advance understanding and provide insights that benefit society and inform future practices.

This is often a key justification for conducting research.

Question 8

Provide an example that demonstrates ethical issues in health research.

Answer 8

An example includes a study where participants were not fully informed about risks, leading to harm.

This highlights the importance of informed consent and the need for ethics review.

Question 9

How might evidence-based practice (EBP) be ethically improved?

Answer 9

EBP might be ethically improved by incorporating ethical training, increasing transparency in decision-making, and engaging stakeholders in the research process.

This can enhance trust and accountability in health research.