Freedom to Care                                                                                                Return to: Contents

ETHICS IN RESEARCH: A CHECKLIST

(This has wide application, although it was drawn up

with the healthcare professional in mind.)

A) CONDUCTING RESEARCH:

NATURE OF RESEARCH:

1. Is the researcher adequately qualified and experienced to undertake the proposed research ?

2. Is the research justified ? Has the subject been studied before ? If it has, is this additional study necessary?

3. Is the research question worth asking ? That is, is it of importance?

4. Has the study been carefully designed and will it address the research question ?

5. If the subjects are staff will they be able to maintain the usual standard of care while participating ?

POSSIBLE HARMS:

6. Has the research proposal been approved by a research ethics committee ?

7. Is there any unnecessary risk, discomfort, pain or inconvenience to clients or staff ?

8. Will the privacy of the subjects be respected ?

9. Will confidentiality be respected, and is the Data Protection Act relevant ?

(NB Anonymity is not the same as confidentiality.)

10. Will other relevant law / statutes be respected?

CONSENT:

11. Will all those involved either directly or indirectly in the study be required to give their informed consent ?

12. Will a consent form be used ?

13. Do any of subjects come from 'at risk' groups? If so, have their rights been safeguarded ?

14. How will this consent be obtained ? Will participants be given adequate time to ask questions and to consider the proposal carefully before consenting ?

15. Will subjects be made aware that they are free to withdraw at any time ? In the case of patients/clients will it be made clear that withdrawal will not in any way affect treatment or care?

MONEY:

16. How is the research to be funded ? Is the project independent ? Are the researchers free to publish ?

17. Are subjects to be reimbursed for all the costs involved ? [In general, payment should not be offered as inducement, but simply to cover expenses.)

18. Are any incentives (financial or otherwise) being offered to the Health Authority or health care practitioners or researchers ?

B) IMPLEMENTING RESEARCH:

RATIONALE:

1. To proceed with traditional care procedures in ignorance of research which if implemented would a) reduce risks, pain, side-effects, iatrogenic disease or inconvenience, or b) enhance healing, rehabilitation and wellbeing, may be regarded as unethical.

PROVISOS:

2. Is the research relevant to the practical context ?

3. Has the research been adequately corroborated ? How reliable are the research findings e.g. consider use of a control, recognition of side-effects.

4. Research should be implemented only after adequate discussion with e.g. medical, nursing and paramedical colleagues, and patients where appropriate.

5. The nurse/midwife should act as the advocate of the patient in addressing any resistance to research-based changes on the part of staff, including medical and managerial staff.

6. Just because research shows that some procedure (etc.) is biologically effective it does not follow that it must be morally right. Technology should not dictate to morality. [Example: abortion, fetal brain tissue transplants, ECT, psychosurgery]

7. The consent of the patients is paramount where the implementation of any but minor research findings.

8. Care must be taken that 'research' is not used as an excuse for implementing changes which have as their motive mere cost-effectiveness (economic efficiency) managerial convenience, or medical power. In other words, research has as its only true rationale the welfare of patients.

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