A Course In Research Methodology

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Shubh N. Singh
Department of Mathematics
School of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science
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Central University of South Bihar
Gaya(Bihar)–824236, Bharat
Chapter 1

Research Ethics

(A) Pythagoras theorem

(B) Euclid Theorem
(C) Baudhaayan theorem
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1. The statement “In a right-angled triangle, the square of the hypotenuse
side is equal to the sum of squares of the other two sides.” is known as:

(D) None of these

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2. The concept of zero in invented in:

(A) Bharat
(B) Greeks
(C) Mesopotamia
(D) China

“The origin of zero has until now been one of the field’s greatest
conundrums.”
“The Nothing That Is: A Natural History of Zero”

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2 CHAPTER 1. RESEARCH ETHICS

We often listen these lines from the society:

ˆ You do not have any morals.
ˆ You have a very low morals

“It is highly unlikely that our moral values will improve until and unless our
educational institutions start teaching ethics in a meaningful way, and it
should start as early as possible with K-12 kids. They must be taught there is
a right and wrong and it is not subject to one’s whim or in a self-serving way.”
Morality refers to the set of standards that enable people to live cooperatively
in groups. It is what societies determine to be “right” and “acceptable.”

ˆ Tell the truth

ˆ Be polite
ˆ Do not steal
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The following are common morality examples that you may have been taught
growing up, and may have even passed on to younger generations:

ˆ Have empathy
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Ethics is a rules of conduct in a particular culture or group recognised by an
external source or social system.
Examples:
ˆ A very close friend or relative of an interviewer comes for an interview
and without asking a single question, he selects him. This act is
unethical, because the selection process must be transparent and unbiased.

Ethics : moral principles that govern a person’s behaviour or the conducting of an activity
: the branch of knowledge that deals with moral principles.
Ethics is based on well-founded standards of right and wrong that prescribe
what humans ought to do, usually in terms of rights, obligations, benefits to
society, fairness, or specific virtues.
Some years ago, sociologist Raymond Baumhart asked business people,
“What does ethics mean to you?” Among their replies were the following:
1.1. ETHICS WITH RESPECT TO SCIENCE AND RESEARCH 3

ˆ Ethics has to do with what my feelings tell me is right or wrong.

ˆ Ethics has to do with my religious beliefs.

ˆ Being ethical is doing what the law requires.

ˆ Ethics consists of the standards of behavior our society accepts.

ˆ I do not know what the word means.

These replies might be typical of our own. The meaning of “ethics”is hard to
pin down, and the views many people have about ethics are shaky.

1.1
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Ethics with respect to Science and Re-

Ethics in science and research refer to the moral principles and values that
guide the conduct of scientific investigations and the dissemination of research
findings. These ethical considerations ensure that scientific investigations are
conducted with:
ˆ with responsibly,
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ˆ with integrity, and

ˆ with the well-being of individuals and society in mind.

Ethics in science and research are crucial because they ensure that research
is conducted in a way that:
ˆ respects human dignity,

ˆ ensures the safety of participants, and

ˆ produces accurate and reliable results.

There are several key ethical considerations in science and research, including:

ˆ Informed Consent: Participants in scientific studies must be fully

informed about the nature and purpose of the study, as well as any
potential risks or benefits, before they agree to participate.
4 CHAPTER 1. RESEARCH ETHICS

ˆ Privacy and Confidentiality: Researchers must protect the privacy

and confidentiality of research participants, including their personal
information and research data.

ˆ Non-discrimination: Research should be conducted without discrimi-

nation based on race, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, or other factors.

ˆ Respect for Animal Welfare: Animal research should be conducted

in a way that minimizes harm to animals and follows established ethical
guidelines for animal use.

ˆ Scientific Integrity: Researchers must maintain high standards of

scientific integrity, including accuracy and honesty in reporting research
findings.

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ˆ Responsible Conduct: Researchers must conduct research in a re-
sponsible and accountable manner, taking into account the potential
impacts of their research on individuals, communities, and society as a
whole.

ˆ Conflict of Interest: Researchers must disclose any conflicts of interest

that may influence their research findings or conclusions.
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Your Turn:
1. What is informed consent in research?

(A) The process of obtaining permission from participants before in-

volving them in a study
(B) The process of debriefing participants after the completion of a
study
(C) The process of anonymizing data to protect participants’ privacy
(D) The process of obtaining funding for research projects

2. Which of the following is an essential principle of scientific integrity?

(A) Reporting data selectively to support a desired outcome

(B) Fabricating or manipulating research data
1.1. ETHICS WITH RESPECT TO SCIENCE AND RESEARCH 5

(C) Conducting research with objectivity and honesty

(D) Plagiarizing other researchers’ work

3. What is the purpose of peer review in scientific research?

(A) To prevent researchers from publishing their findings

(B) To ensure that research papers are written in a clear and concise
manner
(C) To provide constructive feedback and critique on research prior to
publication
(D) To determine the funding allocation for research projects

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4. When conducting research on human subjects, what is the role of an
institutional review board (IRB)?

(A) To oversee the publication process of research findings

(B) To provide financial support for research studies
(C) To evaluate the ethical implications and potential risks of the
research
(D) To supervise the collection and analysis of data
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5. What is the responsibility of scientists regarding conflicts of interest?

(A) They should fully disclose any potential conflicts of interest

(B) They should exploit conflicts of interest for personal gain
(C) They should ignore conflicts of interest to maintain objectivity
(D) They should manipulate data to align with their conflicts of interest

6. Which of the following is an ethical consideration when using animals

in research?

(A) Providing animals with luxurious living conditions

(B) Maximizing the use of animals in experiments to reduce costs
(C) Minimizing animal suffering and using alternative methods when-
ever possible
(D) Conducting research without any regard for animal welfare
6 CHAPTER 1. RESEARCH ETHICS

7. What is the role of mentorship in scientific research?

(A) To discourage collaboration and individual growth

(B) To ensure that research findings are not shared with others
(C) To foster a supportive environment and guide junior researchers
(D) To suppress diversity and inclusivity in the scientific community

8. What is the ethical implication of plagiarism in scientific research?

(A) It promotes collaboration and knowledge sharing

(B) It demonstrates the integrity and originality of researchers

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(C) It violates the intellectual property rights of other researchers
(D) It enhances the credibility and reliability of research findings

9. What is the importance of responsible use of research findings?

(A) To promote the commercialization of scientific discoveries

(B) To protect the privacy and confidentiality of research participants
(C) To minimize any potential negative consequences or harm to society
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(D) To limit the dissemination of research findings to a select group of
individuals

Question 1.1.1. What is informed consent in research?

Ans. Participants are fully informed about the nature and purpose of the
study before they agree to participate.

Question 1.1.2. What is the importance of ethics in science and research?

Ans. Ethics ensures that research is conducted in a way that respects human
dignity, ensures the safety of participants, and produces accurate and reliable
results.

Question 1.1.3. What is scientific integrity in research?

Ans. Scientific integrity refers to the maintenance of high standards of

accuracy and honesty in reporting research findings.
1.1. ETHICS WITH RESPECT TO SCIENCE AND RESEARCH 7

Question 1.1.4. Why is respect for animal welfare important in scientific

research?

Ans. Respect for animal welfare is important in scientific research to ensure

that animals are not unnecessarily harmed and that ethical guidelines for
animal use are followed.

Question 1.1.5. What is the responsibility of researchers in conducting

research?

Ans. Researchers have a responsibility to conduct research in a responsible

and accountable manner, taking into account the potential impacts of their
research on individuals, communities, and society as a whole.

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Question 1.1.6. What is the principle of non-discrimination in research?

Ans. It means that research should be conducted without discrimination

based on race, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, or other factors.

Question 1.1.7. What is the role of privacy and confidentiality in research?

Ans. Researchers must protect the privacy and confidentiality of research

participants, including their personal information and research data.
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Question 1.1.8. What is a conflict of interest in research?

Ans. A conflict of interest in research occurs when researchers have competing

interests that may influence their research findings or conclusions.

Question 1.1.9. What are some professional organizations that have devel-
oped guidelines for ethical research practices?

Ans. The American Psychological Association (APA), the World Medical

Association (WMA), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) are some
professional organizations that have developed guidelines for ethical research
practices.

Question 1.1.10. What is the purpose of responsible conduct in research?

Ans. The purpose of responsible conduct in research is to ensure that research

is conducted in a way that is fair, transparent, and respectful of the rights
and dignity of all individuals involved.
8 CHAPTER 1. RESEARCH ETHICS

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Bibliography

[1] J. J. Sylvester. Mathematical questions with their solutions. Educational

Times, 41, 1884.

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