Ethical breach

Definition

An ethical breach occurs when an individual or organization fails to uphold established ethical standards, guidelines, or principles. In the context of informed consent, it refers to situations where participants are not adequately informed about the nature, risks, or benefits of a study, which compromises their ability to make an informed decision about their participation. This breach undermines trust and can lead to harmful consequences for participants.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. An ethical breach can lead to significant consequences, including legal action against researchers or institutions if participants' rights are violated.
2. Trust between researchers and participants is critical, and any ethical breach can severely damage this trust, making future studies more difficult.
3. Ethical breaches often occur due to a lack of proper training or understanding of ethical standards among researchers.
4. Ensuring informed consent is a continuous process, meaning participants should be updated on any changes to the study that could affect their decision to remain involved.
5. Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) are often responsible for reviewing research proposals to ensure that they adhere to ethical standards and prevent potential breaches.

Review Questions

• How does an ethical breach impact the concept of informed consent in research?
  • An ethical breach directly impacts informed consent by compromising the information that participants receive about a study. If participants are not fully informed about the risks, benefits, and nature of the research, they cannot provide genuine consent. This lack of transparency can lead to participants feeling misled or manipulated, ultimately undermining the integrity of the research and violating their rights.
• Evaluate the role of Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) in preventing ethical breaches related to informed consent.
  • Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) play a crucial role in preventing ethical breaches by meticulously reviewing research proposals before they are approved. They ensure that researchers adhere to ethical guidelines concerning informed consent, participant welfare, and risk assessment. By requiring detailed protocols that outline how consent will be obtained and maintained throughout a study, IRBs help safeguard participants' rights and promote ethical research practices.
• Propose strategies that researchers can implement to avoid ethical breaches when obtaining informed consent from participants.
  • Researchers can adopt several strategies to avoid ethical breaches in obtaining informed consent. First, providing clear and comprehensive information about the study's purpose, methods, risks, and benefits is essential for helping participants make informed choices. Second, using plain language ensures that all participants understand the information presented. Third, incorporating ongoing consent processes allows for updates if study conditions change. Finally, training researchers on ethical standards and emphasizing the importance of transparency will further reduce the risk of ethical breaches related to informed consent.

Related terms

Informed Consent: A process where researchers provide potential participants with detailed information about a study, allowing them to make an educated decision about whether or not to participate.

Ethical Guidelines: A set of principles designed to guide professionals in conducting research responsibly and ethically, ensuring the protection and welfare of participants.

Confidentiality: The ethical principle that requires researchers to protect the privacy of participants by keeping their personal information secure and only using it for intended purposes.