2.2 Research Ethics

This lesson explains why we have an Institutional Review Board (IRB) and the events that took place that led to the development of the current research subject protections. Some questions to consider while completing this lesson include:

  • What have been consequences to patients as a result of unethical research?
  • Which groups are considered vulnerable populations?
  • What is meant by conflict of interest and why does this matter in research?

Learning Objectives

  • Discuss protections now in place to protect research participants
  • Identify ethical principles that guide the conduct of human subjects research
  • Discuss key aspects of research where ethical issues may arise

Video Tutorial

Presented By: Lauren Solberg

Practice Activity

Instructions: After watching the video tutorial, complete the following practice assessment. Choose the best answer for each question, and check your response for immediate feedback.

FAQ

Question:

What is your favorite project that you’ve worked on as a Citizen Scientist?

Answer:

Additional Resources

Belmont Report
This report describes the ethical principles that researchers should abide by in all aspects of their work with human subjects.