Research ethics and nursing science

In recent years scientists and scholars have been paying increasing attention to the problem of research ethics. Ethics is always basically to do with values, with what is right and what is wrong. In the present study research ethics is considered as a self-critical approach to the solutions made in the course of the research process. The aim is to identify those points in the research process where ethical problems assume central importance. One such point is the treatment of human subjects: in the field of nursing science there are certain special requirements that must be taken into consideration because here we often use the clients of the health care system as our main source of information.     

Research, ethics and the data protection legislation

As nursing research becomes more common, so does the issue of whether or not patients should be involved and, if so, to what extent. This article examines how the data protection legislation helps to protect patients, and whether they have the capability to decide to participate, or not.     

Research ethics, informed consent, and participant recruitment

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: This analysis explores ethical issues and challenges in participant recruitment. BACKGROUND/RATIONALE: The clinical nurse specialist (CNS) as researcher faces many issues and challenges, including ethical issues of informed consent. Balancing participant expectations of care with the research purpose is often challenging. DESCRIPTION OF THE ANALYSIS: This analysis synthesizes literature in key areas related to participant recruitment. Medline, CINAHL, and hand search techniques were used to collect relevant materials for this analysis. OUTCOMES: Key issues related to ethics and informed consent included readability of consent documents, education level, relationships between participants and health care providers, therapeutic misconception, and illness severity. Related issues include compensation of participants, recruitment of special populations, and the role of clinical research associate. INTERPRETATION/CONCLUSIONS: The CNS faces considerable ethical and logistical challenges in any research study. Strategies to support the CNS as researcher are available. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Increased awareness of ethical issues and challenges in recruitment is important for the CNS to creatively design strategies to enhance recruitment and retention in research studies.     

Research ethics committees in Europe: trials and tribulations

Introduction  Ethics committees have been an integral part of clinical research since 1975, when they were introduced through the amendment of the Declaration of Helsinki. Every proposal for clinical research on human subjects has to be submitted to an independent ethics committee for review and approval. The European Clinical Trials Directive 2001/20/EC was implemented in 2004 to harmonise the legislative framework for clinical research in Europe in order to make Europe more competitive in clinical research while at the same time improving the protection of research participants. Results  We have evaluated the situation of ethics committees in Europe five years after the implementation of the new law with special consideration of the number of Ethics Committees per European Member State and the number of members within the specific committees, including the selection of members, also in regard to gender aspects and training requirements, the remuneration or compensation of members in regard of their review obligations, and also issues of conflicts of interest. Conclusion  Inadequate remuneration for professional services and gender imbalance are universal concerns across Europe. As the position of ethics committees changes continuously towards greater responsibility, further guidance is needed to uniformly adapt their structures to those needs.

Research ethics and nursing science: an empirical example

In recent years scientists and scholars have been paying increasing attention to the problem of research ethics. Ethics are always basically to do with values, with what is right and what is wrong. In the present study ethics are considered as a self-critical approach to the solutions made in the course of the research process. The aim is to identify those points in the research process where ethical problems assume central importance. One such point is the treatment of human subjects: in the field of nursing science there are certain special requirements that must be taken into consideration because here we often use the clients of the health care system as our main source of information. Following the theoretical discussion, we present an empirical example of the treatment of ethical problems in theses produced by Finnish nursing science graduates.     

异种角膜移植伦理学相关问题的研究进展

目的 对异种角膜移植的伦理学相关问题进行探讨与研究.方法 通过分析角膜的特性及异种角膜移植的现状,探讨异种角膜移植的伦理学问题.结果 异种角膜移植面临的伦理学问题主要有技术性伦理问题和社会性伦理问题:异种角膜移植后的免疫排斥问题;物种选择是否符合伦理要求,是否违背伦理道德;动物权利问题;异种角膜移植是否会引起人的特性改变;异种角膜移植是否会导致致命性疾病的传播,危害公共安全.结论 异种角膜移植能够帮助患者重获光明,其成功不但需要依靠科学技术的创新突破,更依赖人们对异种角膜移植伦理问题的重视.     

Ethics, applied ethics, professional ethics

This study is concerned with "The Familiarity of Basic Rules in Professional Ethics Amongst Nursing Staff Members". Here the codification of norms in professional ethics is understood to be a necessary step on the way to individual nursing ethics. A survey on the study topic showed that there is a lack of familiarity in Germany. Therefore the authors conclude that German nursing has not yet reached this level of individual ethics. As it became clear in the survey that there is a general request for more information, the authors feel bound to demand better coverage of the topic in both basic and further training. The ethics of nursing, however, are applied ethics. In the following discourse first of all the authors will define the term "ethics" and explain the characteristics which are of importance in the present day situation. Secondly, they will ask what "applied ethics" can be against this background. Finally, the authors will discuss what "norms" are as regards professional ethics, how and why they develop and of what relevance they may be with respect to the corresponding ethics applied.     

Research ethics application: a guide for the novice researcher

The aim of this paper is to assist the novice researcher in the research ethics application process. The novice researcher in this context refers to any researcher negotiating a research ethics application for the first time. This may be a student or a more experienced registered nurse engaged in research activity. The paper applies ethical principles to the varied elements of a research ethics application form to explain the theoretical basis of the application criteria. The impetus for this paper arose following an internal audit of the decisions made by the research ethics committee of the nursing department at the Institute of Technology in Tralee, Ireland. The audit revealed the common reasons why full approval was not granted following initial review. This information prompted the development of a paper which would assist novice researchers in avoiding common errors and omissions in the research ethics application process. Despite the specific requirements of individual research ethics committees in different jurisdictions, the fundamental elements of research ethics approval remain unchanged. While the paper has local origins, its relevance holds a wider appeal. The paper takes a structured approach using the three ethical principles of respect for persons, beneficence, and justice, as outlined by the Belmont Report (1979) to provide a framework for discussion. Despite the advent of other frequently used frameworks for research ethics, the principles of the Belmont report remain constant as guidance for good practice in the research ethics context.     

Research governance and ethics: a resource for novice researchers

This article provides an overview of the research governance framework and ethical review. Issues surrounding new procedures are clarified and practical advice is provided for those embarking on research projects. The article discusses limitations and highlights possible future changes to research governance in the United Kingdom.