Ethics Review Framework and Guidelines for Social Science Research

Abstract

This last chapter provides an outline of the most important social research ethics principles and values that should be considered by social science researchers and research ethics committees (RECs) who review social science research projects. The principle framework of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Universal Declaration on Bioethics and Human Rights (2005) is primarily used to organise the relevant ethics principles and considerations. The following ten principles are considered: (1) Respect for human dignity; (2) Beneficence and non-maleficence; (3) Autonomy and informed consent; (4) Vulnerability; (5) Privacy, anonymity and confidentiality; (6) Equality, justice and equity; (7) Non-discrimination and non-stigmatisation; (8) Respect for cultural diversity and pluralism; (9) Social responsibility and integrity; and (10) Benefit sharing. Lastly, the most important and relevant ethics review questions for each of the principles and values that should be posed by social science RECs during ethics reviews and deliberations are indicated.