What is meant by the ethical conduct of research?

• A. Conducting research responsibly, fairly, and with respect for all involved—especially human participants—while protecting individuals, maintaining integrity, and contributing positively to knowledge
• B. Conducting research without informed consent if the study is brief
• C. Falsifying data to achieve favorable results
• D. Research ethics apply only to non-human subjects

Answer: (A)

Ethical conduct of research means performing studies in a way that respects the rights and welfare of all participants and society, while upholding honesty and responsibility throughout the process. This includes obtaining informed consent when people are involved, minimizing risks, protecting privacy and confidentiality, ensuring fair and justified subject selection, seeking appropriate ethical review, and reporting findings accurately so that knowledge is advanced honestly. Taken together, these elements reflect conducting research responsibly, fairly, and with respect for individuals, protecting them, maintaining integrity, and contributing positively to knowledge. The other options describe actions that violate these principles—skipping informed consent, falsifying data, or suggesting ethics don’t apply to certain subjects.