There are a number of fundamental principles that you will need to consider in your research design and conduct. In general, it is important to protect the rights and welfare of participants and to minimise any risk of physical and mental discomfort, harm or danger to yourself and others, which could arise from the application of research procedures.
This overarching principle encompasses a range of related ethical issues that arise with regard to:
the collection of data and informed consent,
the rights of participants to withdraw from the research without fear or penalty,
doing everything possible to ensure confidentiality and anonymity for participants2, and associated practices for the storage and access to data (that is guarding privileged information),
providing participants with adequate information concerning the research, its outcomes and how it will be used,
the need to protect researchers from unintended constraints or pressure arising through misuse of research ethics provisions by powerful research subjects.
While it is essential that all researchers intending to undertake work that involves human participation detail the steps that they will take to ensure ethical responsibility and obtain approval for their research, the intention of this procedure is not just to assure compliance with a set of regulations. Rather, the intention is to offer a set of principles and advice that will guide research as i