Research Ethics

Research ethics and research integrity applies throughout the research cycle, from planning your research project to publishing and science communication. Research ethics refer to research practice viewed from the perspectives of morals, i.e., the protection of the research participants. Research integrity is research practice viewed from the perspective of professional standards, i.e., the conduct of the researcher.

It is important because:

• it is a reflection of respect for those who take part in research.
• it ensures that no unreasonable, unsafe, or thoughtless demands are made by researchers.
• it ensures that research outputs are shared in a responsible and ethical way.
• it imposes a common standard in all the above respects.
• an ethically insensitive researcher can leave the research setting in disarray regarding future research and for their own and their institution's reputation.

TRREE (Training and Resources in Research Ethics Evaluation) offers a free online course on the ethics of health research.

The e-learning programme is based on internationally recognized ethical principles and regulations. It integrates local issues and perspectives from low-and middle-income countries, most notably from African countries, that are relevant to all those who must ensure the protection of research participants and who promote highest ethical standards.

Register here for the course.