ETHICS IN RESEARCH

( LEGAL RE SE ARCH AN D WRITIN G GROUP 20)

LR&R Group 20 Members - CAT 1

Ishwaaq Abdiwahab - Group Leader

1. Dhadho Hemedi Hassan (GPR3/148772/2024)
2. Mavema Mutheu (GPR3/148545/2024)
3. Annette Etapar Looya (GPR3/148790/2024)
4. Edward Bunabe (GPR3/148676/2024)
5. Mbaluka Emmanuel Muuo (GPR3/148799/2024)
6.Ishwaaq Abdiwahab (GPR3/149143/2024)
7. Felix Rugeiyamu Gitau (GPR3/147910/2024)
8.Susan Wambui (GPR3/148840/2024)
9.MUSA MAHAD (GPR3/148816/2024)
10.Malcom Mutsoli (GPR3/148063/2024)
11.Craig Mark Odhiambo (GPR3/147962/2024)
12. Tracy Atieno (GPR3/147837/2024)
13. Ida Munee Mutuku (GPR3/148424/2024)
14.Gift Mugendi (GPR3/147887/2024)
15.David Joy Mwongeli (GPR3/148560/2024)
16. Mitchelle Wambui Kirumba (GPR3/147648/2024)
17. Kabach Sherrill Peter (GPR3/148692/2024)
18.Griffin Bosire Severio (GPR3/148131/2024)
19. Rono Philip Kipchirchir(GPR3/148916/2024)
QUESTI ONS

• What do you understand by "research

ethics"

• What are the objectives of research ethics?

• What are the principles and standards

sought to be observed and attained?
• Discuss with appropriate illustrations
breaches of research ethics?

• What are the consequences for breach of

research ethics.
1 .WHAT IS UNDERSTOOD BY R ESEARCH
ETHICS

What are Research Ethics?

Research ethics involves the fundamental principles and

guidelines that guide the behavior of researchers,
ensuring honesty, respect, and the safeguarding of the
rights and well-being of participants. It emphasizes the
importance of transparency, integrity, and accountability,
while also ensuring adherence to moral and legal
standards.
The Significance of Ethical Considerations in Research
Why Research Ethics Matters:

1.Protecting Participants: Ensuring the rights and dignity

of those involved in research.
2.Ensuring Credibility: Upholding the accuracy and
dependability of research outcomes.
3.Promoting Integrity: Preventing unethical behavior such
as plagiarism and falsification of data.
4.Building Public Trust: Increasing confidence in scientific
research and institutions.
5.Legal Compliance: Following ethical guidelines like the
Belmont Report and Helsinki Declaration.
Historical Context Emphasizing the Importance of
Research Ethics

Key Cases That Shaped Research Ethics

1. The Nuremberg Trials in 1947 were a

pivotal moment in history, shining a light on
the cruel medical experiments carried out
by Nazi doctors during World War II.

Through this trial, the Nuremberg Code

was born, laying out ten ethical principles
for human experimentation. These
principles stressed the importance of
obtaining voluntary consent, carefully
weighing risks and benefits, and ensuring
that researchers were competent. The
Code has since become a cornerstone in
research ethics, emphasizing the crucial
need to safeguard the well-being of human
subjects in medical
2. The Tuskegee Syphilis Study,
spanning from 1932 to 1972, remains
a dark chapter in American history.
This study infamously involved
withholding treatment from African
American men diagnosed with syphilis
in order to observe the progression of
the disease. Participants were kept in
the dark about their condition and the
true purpose of the study, violating
fundamental ethical principles of
informed consent and beneficence.
This tragic case underscored the
urgent necessity for ethical oversight
and transparency in research
involving marginalized communities.
 3. The Stanford Prison Experiment of
1971, led by psychologist
Philip Zimbardo, sought to explore the
psychological impacts of perceived
power dynamics by assigning
participants roles as guards and
prisoners. However, the experiment
quickly spiraled into abusive behavior,
sparking serious ethical concerns
surrounding psychological harm and
informed consent. This study served
as a stark reminder of the critical
importance of implementing stringent
ethical guidelines to shield
participants from potential harm in
psychological research.

These cases underscore the critical need for ethical

oversight and informed consent in research.
Fundamental Principles of Research Ethics

Key Ethical Principles:

1.Respect for Persons: Recognizing autonomy and
ensuring voluntary participation.
2.Beneficence: Maximizing benefits while minimizing
harm.
3.Justice: Ensuring fair distribution of research benefits
and burdens.
4.Accountability: Maintaining honesty and transparency
throughout the research process.
Conclusion and Relevance in Today's World

Ethical considerations play a crucial role in addressing

modern challenges such as:
•Al and data privacy concerns.
•Global health emergencies (e.g.,
COVID-19 research).
- Environmental and social impacts of research.
Upholding research ethics is essential for fostering
sustainable progress in both science and society.
2 .OBJ ECTIVES FOR RESEARCH ETHI CS

The Core of Research Ethics

What Are Research Ethics?

Research ethics are principles that guide how research is
conducted, ensuring respect, integrity, and fairness.

Key Objectives:
1.Protecting Participants
Safeguard participants from harm (physical,
psychological, social) while respecting their rights and
dignity.

2. Maintaining Integrity and Transparency

Promote accuracy and honesty in data collection,
analysis, and reporting. Disclose any conflicts of interest.
3.Ensuring Fairness and Justice
Provide equal opportunities for participation, avoiding
discrimination and exploitation.

4. Respecting Autonomy and Confidentiality

Empower participants to make informed decisions while
protecting their personal data and privacy.

5.Supporting Social Values

Ensure research benefits individuals and society by
addressing real-world needs and advancing knowledge.

6.Complying with Legal and Institutional Standards

Follow laws and obtain approval from ethics boards to
ensure accountability.

7.Fostering Public Trust in Research

Build confidence by upholding high ethical standards,
ensuring credibility and public support.
Why Research Ethics Matter

The importance of research ethics goes beyond mere

guidelines; it embodies our dedication to the well-being of
individuals.By safeguarding participants, promoting
fairness, and benefiting society, ethical research
establishes trust, encourages diversity, and propels
advancement.

When researchers uphold these values, they are not only

advancing knowledge but also establishing a foundation of
respect, openness, and significant change.
Ethical research guarantees that the rights, dignity, and
welfare of all involved parties are prioritized throughout
the entire process.
3 .PRINCIPLES AND STANDARDS SOUGHT TO
BE OBSERVED AND ATTAINED
Foundational Principles of Ethical Research
Respect for Persons
​•​Acknowledges participants’ autonomy and rights.
​•​Application: Informed consent ensures that individuals are
fully aware of their involvement, risks, and benefits, allowing
them to make voluntary decisions.
Beneficence
​•​Focuses on maximizing benefits and minimizing harm.
​•​Application: Researchers carefully assess risks and design
studies that prioritize the safety and well-being of participants.
Justice
​•​Ensures fairness in the distribution of research benefits and
burdens.
​•​Application: Research includes, but does not exploit,
marginalized groups, promoting equitable access to benefits
and representation.Foundational Principles of Ethical Research
Ethical Standards and Real-World ExamplesEthical Standards
and Real-World Examples

Standards from Standards from Leading Organizations

​•​American Psychological Association (APA): Emphasizes
confidentiality, informed consent, and the avoidance of
conflicts of interest.
​•​American Medical Association (AMA): Prioritizes
transparency, participant safety, and accountability in
research.

Real-World Applications
​•​Medical Research: COVID-19 vaccine trials followed strict
ethical standards, ensuring both urgency and participant
safety.
​•​Social Sciences: Research on poverty or inequality
requires sensitivity and fairness, protecting vulnerable
populations while driving policy reform.
​•​Technology & AI: Development of ethical AI ensures
transparency and avoids biases, promoting fairness in
systems like hiring or healthcare.
In wrapping up, it is important to recognize that ethical
research goes beyond just following rules—it embodies a
dedication to the well-being of individuals.
The core values of treating people with respect, doing
good, and promoting fairness serve as the ethical
compass, guaranteeing the safety of participants, the
integrity of research, and the reliability of results.

By upholding the guidelines established by reputable

organizations such as the APA and AMA, researchers
ensure that their work is not only credible and impactiul
but also morally upright.

In today's society, whether in the fields of healthcare,

social sciences, or technology, the practical
implementation of these ethical principles continues to
shape a future that is fair and just. Ethical research fosters
trust, propels advancements, and serves as a reminder
that scientific progress should always prioritize the dignity
of humanity.
4 .ILL UST RATION OF BREACHES OF RESEARCH
ETHICS.
Breaches of research ethics

Plagiarism - this involves the act of

extracting someone else’s work and then
using it and presenting it as your own
work or idea without acknowledging their
involvement in the work. Example: A
researcher may copy their colleague’s
data that they collected and present it as
their own. Karl Theodor Zu Guttenberg
was convicted of plagiarism in his
dissertation “the right to publish and the
rights of personality”. As a result of this,
his credibility was slandered and gave
him no other option other than to resign
from his post.
Falsification - This involves the act of
manipulating or omitting the data or
results from the research without
acknowledging the changes so that the
data and hypothesis can support a
desired outcome. Example: A researcher
can choose to omit particular data from
his research so that it can support their
desired result. Andrew Wakefield was a
physician who claimed to have found a
direct connection between the MMR
vaccine and autism. This was later
discovered to be fraud and as a result, his
medical license was revoked.
Conflicts of interest - this can happen
when researchers have put their own
financial interests above the research
itself. An example is when a researcher
accepts a bribe from the group of people
who have expressed certain interest in
the outcome of the research so that it
can benefit them. In the Vioxx case, Vioxx
was a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
drug where the leading doctor (Dr.
Merck) had a pecuniary advantage if the
drug was successful. The drug had
extreme cardiovascular risks but he
decided to continue producing the drug.
As a result he faced numerous law suits
and his status was damaged.
Violating of the participants rights - this occurs when the
researcher fails to respect the privacy of the research
participants. Example: a researcher conducts a study on human
subjects without their consent. In the Tuskegee syphilis study,
the research participants were not informed about the main
reason behind the study thus lack of informed consent.

Misuse of research resources - a researcher can breach ethics

by misusing the resources allocated to them for the research.
An example: a researcher uses funds meant to carry out the
research for their own personal agendas. In the Diederik Stapel
case, Stapel a renowned social psychologist used the private
and public funds allocated to him to produce fabricated results
which later brought a negative impact on his field’s reputation
and his status destroyed.

Exploitation of vulnerable research participants - an example of

this is by taking advantage of vulnerable people such as
children by forcing or bribing them to take part in the research.
In the Guatemala syphilis study, the researchers targeted
vulnerable Guatemalans such as mental patients as their
research participants. The mental patients were not in the right
state of mind to participate in the study which shows a breach
of research ethics by the researchers.
Consequences faced by researchers
who violate ethical standards

​ •​ D amage to their status and reputation

​ •​ B eing terminated from their position

in their job

​ •​ The researcher may be filed by

lawsuits for causing detrimental harm
to a company they researched.
5.THE C ONS EQU ENCES FOR BREACH OF
RESEARCH ETHICS .

1) LEGAL CONSEQUENCES
Breach of research ethics may lead
to legal actions against the breacher
if they violate already established
laws and regulations which may
consequently lead to fines or even
criminal charges
An example is commission of
plagiarism which contradicts the
copyright act (2001) which can lead
to law suits and consequently legal
and financial ramifications.
2) PROFESSIONAL CONSEQUENCES

Unethical research practices can lead to

revocation of research articles by
publishers

They can also lead to revocation of

academic titles by institutions when the
breaches are discovered i.e. the University
of Nairobi's Plagiarism policy spells out
revocation of awards as one of the
consequences of plagiarism

These can ultimately lead to loss of

respect among peers and lead to
professional segregation
3) SANCTIONS
• Exposed cases of breach of research
ethics can lead to imposion of sanctions
which may come in the form of;

1. revocation of research funding and grants

2. Redaction of articles and research
proposals
3. Termination of employment and expulsion
from academic institutions

4. Bans from accessing certain areas i.e.

laboratories
These ultimately lead to ,most of the times,
downfall of careers
4)CREATE DOUBT ON PREVIOUSLY
PUBLISHED WORKS

• Proved instances of breach of research work can lead to

creation of doubt on the published works and ultimately
lead to invalidation of the works even if all the right steps
were taken in formation of the works
5) FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

•Breach of research ethics can lead to revocation of

research funding and make it hard to acquire the trust of
donors in the future to believe in your proposal and fund it
•The breaches can also lead to imposions of fines for the
commission of the offences e.g Plagiarism and falsification
lead to financial ramifications to appease the offended
parties
In summary, disregarding research ethics not only puts
individuals' careers at risk but also erodes the trust and
respect within the academic and professional
communities. The repercussions of unethical research can
extend beyond legal penalties and professional
repercussions to include the discrediting of previous work.
It is essential to prioritize ethical conduct, not only for
personal advancement but also for the advancement and
reliability of knowledge as a collective endeavor.
References
1. The Belmont Report: Ethical Principles and Guidelines for
the Protection of Human Subjects of Research
https://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/regulations-and-policy/belmont-
report/index.html
2. World Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki: Ethical
Principles for Medical Research Involving Human Subjects
https://www.wma.net/what-we-do/medical-
ethics/declaration-of-helsinki/
3. NIH Office of Extramural Research: Ethical Guidelines for
Research Involving Human Subjects
https://grants.nih.gov/policy/humansubjects.htm
4. Resnik, D. B. (2015). The Ethics of Research with Human
Subjects
https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-319-10723-4
5. American Psychological Association (APA) Ethical Guidelines
https://www.apa.org/ethics/code
Thank you for your attention.
And with that, we conclude!