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Research Ethics

Research Ethics. Dr Leon Watts. What are ‘research ethics’?. Research “investigation directed to the discovery of some fact by careful consideration or study of a subject” OED Ethics “ The science of morals; the department of study concerned with the principles of human duty ” OED

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Research Ethics

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  1. Research Ethics • Dr Leon Watts

  2. What are ‘research ethics’? • Research • “investigation directed to the discovery of some fact by careful consideration or study of a subject”OED • Ethics • “The science of morals; the department of study concerned with the principles of human duty”OED • Standards of acceptable practice in the conduct of research that involves people

  3. Nuremberg Code • War crimes tribunals after WWII, held in the city of Nuremberg, Germany • 23 researchers were put on trial for “inflicting a range of vile and lethal procedures”* on prisoners • for the benefit of medical science and the good of humanity? Economic benefit? • * http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/313/7070/1413

  4. Nuremberg Code 1947 • Internationally recognized code of conduct for research on human subjects • Defines ten standards to which researchers must conform • Research must balance expected benefits against risks to those involved

  5. Nuremberg Code - 10 standards • 1 The voluntary consent of the subject is absolutely essential. • 2 The study should yield fruitful results for the good of society, unprocurable by other means. • 3 The study should be designed and based on results from animal experimentation and knowledge of natural history, such that the anticipated results justify the performance of the experiment. • 4 Experiment should be conducted to avoid all unnecessary physical and mental suffering and injury. • 5 No experiment should be conducted if there is prior reason to believe that death or serious injury could occur.

  6. Nuremberg Code - 10 standards • 6 The degree of risk should never exceed that determined by the humanitarian importance of the problem to be solved. • 7 Proper preparations should be made to protect the subject against injury, disability or death. • 8 The experiment should only be conducted by scientifically qualified persons. • 9 The human subject should be at liberty to bring the experiment to an end. • 10 During the experiment the scientist must bring it to a close if there is probable cause to believe that it could result in injury, disability or death.

  7. Key principles of Human Research: • Minimize Risks to participants • If there are negative effects, the researcher is responsible for correction of those effects • Base participation on Informed Consent • Use consent form • Problematic when working with children • Allow discontinuation at any time • Provide full debrief • In addition, encourage questions after

  8. Department of Computer Science: 13-POINT ETHICS CHECK LIST • 1. Have you prepared a briefing script for volunteers? • 2. Will the participants be using any non-standard hardware? • 3. Is there any intentional deception of the participants? • 4. How will participants voluntarily give consent? • 5. Will the participants be exposed to any risks greater than those encountered in their normal working life? • 6. Are you offering any incentive to the participants? • 7. Are any of your participants under the age of 16?

  9. Department of Computer Science: 13-POINT ETHICS CHECK LIST • 8. Do any of your participants have an impairment that will limit their understanding or communication? • 9. Are you in a position of authority or influence over any of your participants? • 10. Will the participants be informed that they could withdraw at any time? • 11. Will the participants be informed of your contact details? • 12. Will participants be de-briefed? • 13. Will the data collected from the participants be stored in an anonymous form?

  10. What does it mean to ‘involve people’? • People who take part in experiments as subjects and who will not directly benefit from the knowledge it produces. • People who carry out the experiments (the researchers themselves). • People who are represented by the researchers (their organization).

  11. Scientific misconduct • Fabrication or Falsehood • Fully document results • Do not falsify data or results • Ensure repeatability and preserve all data • Question your own findings • Do not exaggerate claims or outcomes • Plagiarism, misquoting, misappropriation • Attribute honestly the contribution of others • Colluding in or concealing the misconduct of others

  12. Universal Ethical Code for Scientists • Rigour • Act with skill and care, keep skills up to date • Prevent corrupt practice and declare conflicts of interest • Respect and acknowledge the work of other scientists • Respect • Ensure that research is justified and lawful • Minimise impacts on people, animals and the environment • Responsibility • Discuss issues science raises for society • Do not mislead; present evidence honestly

  13. Professional Ethics: Eight principles of ACM/IEEE • Public: Software engineers shall act consistently with the public interest. • Client and Employer: Act in the best interests of their client and employer, consistent with the public interest. • Product: Products and related modifications shall meet the highest professional standards possible. • Judgement: Integrity and independence in their professional judgement.

  14. Professional Ethics: Eight principles of ACM/IEEE • Management: Adopt and promote an ethical approach to the management of software development and maintenance. • Profession: Advance the integrity and reputation of the profession, consistent with the public interest. • Colleagues: Be fair and supportive of other colleagues. • Self: Software engineers shall adopt both a “lifelong learning” and ethical approach to the practice of their profession.

  15. References • Departmental Research Ethics webpage:http://www.cs.bath.ac.uk/department/research-ethics/index.php • Department for Innovation, Universities & Skills, ‘Rigour, Respect and Responsibility’http://www.dius.gov.uk/policy/science_society/code.html • BBC article on Universal Ethical Code for Scientistshttp://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6990868.stm • "Nuremberg Code" Online Ethics Center for Engineering http://www.onlineethics.org/CMS/research/resref/nuremberg.aspx • World Health Organization commentary on relevance of Nuremberg Code 60 years on http://www.who.int/bulletin/volumes/85/8/07-045443/en/index.html • Sommerville (2007) Software Engineering, Professional and Ethical Responsibility. pp. 14-17.

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