When I read about the Stanford Prison Experiment (1971) a few months back, I realized that ethics serves as our compass, that if compromised, will lead us farther away from the greater good, no matter how groundbreaking the results may be; therefore, mankind will only benefit if we act in the most humane way possible.

 

Research demands tremendous amount of time, effort, and energy but one important thing I have realized in our ethics and research classes is that research extends beyond the boundaries of the scientific field, and into the lives of ordinary people. Research, although an “inconvenience” is a powerful tool that would impact and bring positive change to the society. Not only is research poking around a whirlpool of hypotheses. It is also “poking” and motivating other people so that they themselves would cause something good for the world.

 

Doing a research should not be a selfish act. Ethics as its heart should embrace the welfare of not just some individuals but the whole society. A movement of enabling every researcher to grasp what is seen to be invisible in the eye of a heedless person. 

 

Research obliges us to conduct studies that uphold good intentions. This may be to bring benefit to the majority. But it is important that we bear in mind that even the purest intentions, when done the wrong way, won’t bring any good at all. Ethics in research may be an inconvenience as it requires time, effort, and countless considerations to achieve the most scientific, ethical, and technical soundness of a study. However, doing so would aid in the advancement of modern innovations, as well as breed solutions to worldly dilemmas at the expense of no one.

 

Conflict between science and/or research and ethics has broadened in the wake of rise of new innovations. However, it is a MUST to integrate ethics with research, particularly when values of life and humanity become so vulnerable to cutting edge advancements. 

 

Incorporating ethics in the totality of research requires much more time, effort, competence and deliberations thus, may be an inconvenience. However, research is a powerful tool that builds bridges to new knowledge. It may demand a lot of work, but when a research is conducted scientifically, technically and ethically sound, it serves as an open door for socially significant solutions that will benefit the society as a whole. 

Before 3rd shifting started, I honestly thought that the research proposal/manuscript is merely a requirement in our program. Happily, I have learned its true purpose and a number of pointers beyond the pages of a book that will guide me in conducting it. It inspired me to take the task and put not only my mind but my heart in every aspect of it. 

As with research — it sure takes a man of value and courage to do it the right way, even if it turns out to be ten times more difficult. Then, not only will it not harm people, but also build something beautiful and lasting. 

Aristotle once said, We do not act rightly because we have value or excellence. Rather, we turn into men with value because we have acted rightly. 

Each individual has their own belief system and has their own set of rules. We are born as rational beings that can judge something as right or wrong. A person who does not believe in anything is a person standing in quicksand, the harder they try to move, the more impossible it is for them to escape. Sooner or later, the sand will slowly digest then dissolve them. In relation to research, we choose to dwell on things we believe in, explore it, expand, and defend it based on what we stand for with hopes of essentially contributing to the society. 

We live in a world full of curiosity and eagerness to explore beyond what one can see, hence researchers should always be reminded that research should be done for the sole purpose of improving the lives of the people in a society. 

 

We have to prioritise the participants’ physical and psychological safety. Similar with our profession, we should always consider the lives and the people they will leave behind if they are harmed. We, as researchers, may not know our participants on a personal level, but we still have to treat them with utmost respect.

 

In conducting research with human subjects, we have to keep in mind that these people have lives – they have stories to tell and they have futures to fulfil. Sometimes, people tend to lose sight of what makes their research worth publishing – the genuine human connection, the way one life affects another. And as most Filipinos would say, “Puso.”

I think that research ethics is a very complicated thing where there is an overlap in almost everything. Sometimes it’s easier to close our eyes on little mistakes for the sake of a greater good. However, as ethically sound researchers we must keep in mind that these little things matter and that these may or may not affect the value of our outcome. No knowledge will ever justify intentional harm brought to anyone, especially the weak. And so, even if we are following the proposed and approved protocol, we must still be mindful of all the things, may it be big or small, as it can change the course of our success, and keep in mind that the most important factor of our research is its social value - that no matter what happens, the people must always be our primary concern

As Jane Goodall said, “What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make”.This is why ethics in research must always be ensured — to avoid negative differences such as destruction and harm. 

To be ethical is difficult when we want things to be easy. But we must always remember that good things are not achieved the easy way, and it is always the right time to choose what’s right.

We must have the courage to persevere. The drive and willingness to do the right thing especially when we are faced with such adverisities.Research ethics, most of the time, is never easy. But if you have the courage inside of you to admit and accept the right thing to do, you will peservere in doing what is best for the society. 

Albert Einstein, one of the greatest scientists in the world has made the greatest discoveries in physics and contribution to science. But what most people don’t know is that he has also done exhaustive research on ethics and morality. While he is known for the Theory of Relativity, he also wrote the Theory of Moral Relativism. In his study, he said that “A man’s ethical behavior should be based effectually on sympathy, education, and social tie and needs; no religious basis is necessary.”

It is known that different institutions have their own standard of behavior to suit their particular aims. In research, much of this is needed to establish the public’s trust with the discipline. Having these values applied to the researcher and the manuscript itself, there are many reasons to ensure ethical conduct in research.

First, it promotes knowledge and truth. Second, it upholds values that are essential in collaborative work (respect, fairness). Third, it ensures accountability for the researchers. Fourth, it serves as a public support and holds other important social and moral values (human rights, social responsibility).

Truly, ethics in research is easier said than done. However, I agree with Mr.  Einstein that it is not about who’s better at practicing religion or about differences in belief. As long as what you do comes from the heart and your work burns with passion and honesty, the rest will flow smoothly on its own.