When something is deemed unethical, it means that it goes against accepted moral principles or standards of conduct. In the context of research, an action is considered unethical if it violates ethical guidelines set forth to protect participants.
Related terms
Informed consent: Obtaining permission from participants after providing them with all relevant information about the study's procedures, potential risks, and benefits.
Deception: Intentionally misleading or withholding information from participants in a study.
Institutional Review Board (IRB): A committee responsible for reviewing research proposals to ensure ethical guidelines are followed.