scholarly journals Governance Frameworks for COVID-19 Research Ethics Review and Oversight in Latin America: An Exploratory Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Palmero ◽  
Sarah Carracedo ◽  
Noelia Cabrera ◽  
Alahí Bianchini
Keyword(s):  
Research Ethics ◽  
Latin American ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Research Capacity ◽  
International Standards ◽  
Ethical Standards ◽  
Future Health ◽  
Ethics Review ◽  
Operational Guidance

Abstract Background Research has been an essential part of the COVID-19 pandemic response, including in Latin American (LA) countries. However, implementing research in emergency settings poses the challenge of producing valuable knowledge rapidly while upholding research ethical standards. Research ethics committees (RECs) therefore must conduct timely and rigorous ethics reviews and oversight of COVID-19 research. In the LA region, there is limited knowledge on how countries have responded to this need. To address this gap, the objective of our project is to explore if LA countries developed policies to streamline ethics review and oversight of research in response to the pandemic while ensuring its adherence to ethical standards, and to analyze to what extent these governance frameworks are in accordance with international guidance.Methods We conducted a descriptive and exploratory study assessing the COVID-19 research ethics governance frameworks of 19 LA countries, considering 4 dimensions based on international COVID-19 ethics guidance documents: (i) ethics review organizational model adopted, (ii) measures to coordinate between RECs and other research stakeholders, (iii) operational guidance for RECs, and (iv) key ethical issues for review and oversight of COVID-19 research.Results 10 out of 19 LA countries have some policy to streamline ethics review of COVID-19 research. Of these countries only 6 issued comprehensive documents following international guidance that contemplated strategies with recommendations for concrete actions for a timely and rigorous review.ConclusionLA countries adopted partial strategies and operational guidance that may demonstrate a lack of a comprehensive view of research ethics for the review and oversight of COVID-19 research. Continuing efforts should be directed to strengthen LA countries' research capacity to respond timely and ethically to future health emergencies. Past lessons and the ones from this pandemic should be the basis to develop international standards and operational guidelines for ethics review and oversight of any research for public health emergencies of international concern.

scholarly journals Governance frameworks for COVID-19 research ethics review and oversight in Latin America: an exploratory study

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Palmero ◽  
Sarah Carracedo ◽  
Noelia Cabrera ◽  
Alahí Bianchini
Keyword(s):  
Research Ethics ◽  
Latin American ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Research Capacity ◽  
International Standards ◽  
Ethical Standards ◽  
Future Health ◽  
Ethics Review ◽  
Operational Guidance

Abstract Background Research has been an essential part of the COVID-19 pandemic response, including in Latin American (LA) countries. However, implementing research in emergency settings poses the challenge of producing valuable knowledge rapidly while upholding research ethical standards. Research ethics committees (RECs) therefore must conduct timely and rigorous ethics reviews and oversight of COVID-19 research. In the LA region, there is limited knowledge on how countries have responded to this need. To address this gap, the objective of our project is to explore if LA countries developed policies to streamline ethics review and oversight of research in response to the pandemic while ensuring its adherence to ethical standards, and to analyze to what extent these governance frameworks are in accordance with international guidance. Methods We conducted a descriptive and exploratory study assessing the COVID-19 research ethics governance frameworks of 19 LA countries, considering 4 dimensions based on international COVID-19 ethics guidance documents: (i) ethics review organizational model adopted, (ii) measures to coordinate between RECs and other research stakeholders, (iii) operational guidance for RECs, and (iv) key ethical issues for review and oversight of COVID-19 research. Results 10 out of 19 LA countries have some policy to streamline ethics review of COVID-19 research. Of these countries only 6 issued comprehensive documents following international guidance that contemplate strategies with recommendations for concrete actions for a timely and rigorous review. Conclusion LA countries adopted partial strategies and operational guidance that may demonstrate a lack of a comprehensive view of research ethics for the review and oversight of COVID-19 research. Continuing efforts should be directed to strengthen LA countries' research capacity to respond timely and ethically to future health emergencies. Past lessons and the ones from this pandemic should be the basis to develop international standards and operational guidelines for ethics review and oversight of any research for public health emergencies.

scholarly journals Social Researchers’ Approaches to Research Ethics During the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Exploratory Study

2021 ◽  
pp. 155626462110550
Author(s):  
Adrianna Surmiak ◽  
Beata Bielska ◽  
Katarzyna Kalinowska
Keyword(s):  
Research Ethics ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Ethical Issues ◽  
The Other ◽  
Research Project ◽  
Qualitative Survey ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Research And Education ◽  
New Situation

The global COVID-19 pandemic and quarantine/distancing measures have forced researchers to cope with a new situation. This paper aimed to analyze how the pandemic and its associated constraints have affected social researchers’ approach to research ethics. Drawing on an online qualitative survey with 193 Polish social researchers conducted in April and May 2020, we distinguished three approaches: nothing has changed, opportunity-oriented, and precautionary. According to the first, the pandemic was not regarded as a situation that required additional reflection on ethical issues or changes in research approaches. By contrast, the other two were based on the assumption that the pandemic affected research project ethics. The difference was in the assessment of changes in the area of ethics. The pandemic presented an opportunity and a threat to the ethicality of research, respectively. We discuss the implications of all three approaches for research and education.

Ethical Issues in Data Collection: A Commentary

2007 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 89-90
Author(s):  
Paula McGee
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Research Ethics ◽  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Ethics Review ◽  
Research Ethics Review

This study appeared in full in the last issue of Research Ethics Review (2007; 3 (2): 53). John Harris is investigating the effectiveness of a new regime for the treatment rheumatoid arthritis. His role involves asking patients to fill out a questionnaire that normally takes about 35 minutes to complete. The case study outlines three events: a patient whose eyesight is poor, another who cannot read and a receptionist who is discovered reading some of the completed questionnaires.

scholarly journals An investigation into the ethical standards and values of registered property valuers in South Africa

2014 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 853-870 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brent Currin ◽  
Nompilo Msibi ◽  
Tsebang Chuene ◽  
Andre Kruger
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Codes Of Conduct ◽  
Codes Of Ethics ◽  
The United States ◽  
International Standards ◽  
Ethical Standards ◽  
Unethical Behaviour ◽  
Property Valuation

Ethical issues and standards of property professions are being scrutinised. To date, no research has been carried out on the ethical standards in the property valuation profession in South Africa. This research compared the content of codes of ethics and professional conduct of the South African property valuation profession to international standards, and investigated the ethical standards and moral values held by registered valuers in South Africa. A self-administered survey, administered to 611 professional and professional associate valuers, was used. It measured five constructs of unethical behaviour layered into a survey adapted from Hoyt, Wright and Croft (2002). No statistically significant differences were found between different demographic factors in the ethical beliefs of South African valuers. A literature review comparing South Africa’s codes of conduct with those in the United States of America, Australia and New Zealand showed that the standards of ethics and professional practice in South Africa are not in line with international standards. South African valuers appear to be ethical and resist external pressures which could lead to unethical behaviour.

Ethical issues in action-oriented research in Indonesia

2017 ◽  
Vol 24 (6) ◽  
pp. 686-693 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rini Rachmawaty
Keyword(s):  
Research Ethics ◽  
Human Subject ◽  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Human Subjects ◽  
Ethics Committee ◽  
International Standards ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Human Subject Research ◽  
Research Ethics Committee ◽  
Oriented Research

Background: Action-oriented research is one of the most frequent research types implemented to transform community health in Indonesia. Three researchers and 11 graduate students from a developed country in East Asia conducted a fieldwork program in a remote area in South Sulawesi Province. Although the project was completed, whether or not the international standards for human subject research were applied into that study remains unclear. Objectives: This study aimed to examine ethical issues raised from that case, analyze constraints to the problems, and recommend alternatives to protect vulnerable populations from being exploited by local/international researchers. Methods: A problem-solving approach was used in this study. It began with problem identification, evaluation of the action-oriented research goal, investigation of the constraints to the problem, and recommendation of some relevant alternatives to address the central issue. Ethical Consideration: The approval for conducting the action-oriented research that being investigated in this work was only obtained from the Head of local district. Results: Some ethical issues were found in this case. No special protection for this population, no informed consent was obtained from the participants, exposure to social and economic risks, no future benefits for the subjects, and conflict of interests. Lack of control from the local research ethics committee and lack of competence of local researchers on human subject research were considered as the constraints to the problems. Discussion: Creating an independent research ethics committee, providing research ethics training to the local researchers, obtaining written/video consents from underserved populations, and meeting local health needs were recommended alternatives to solve these problems. Conclusion: Indonesian government bodies should reform their international collaborative system on research involving human subjects. Exploitation may not occur if all participants as well as all local and national governing bodies understand the research ethics on human subjects and apply it into their practice.

Ethical Issues in Emergency Research

2009 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 125-126
Author(s):  
David Hunter
Keyword(s):  
Research Ethics ◽  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Emergency Research ◽  
Next Of Kin ◽  
Research Participants ◽  
Ethics Review ◽  
Research Ethics Review ◽  
Lung Injuries ◽  
Car Crashes

This study appeared in full in the last issue of Research Ethics Review (2009; 5(2): 83). Based on prior research that has indicated it may be beneficial, a researcher wants to administer a heart medication to patients who have suffered lung injuries in car crashes. Due to the emergency nature of the research, seeking consent either from the research participants or, at least initially, their next of kin is difficult.

scholarly journals A review of ethics in developing country in perspective of dental research

2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Md Haider Ali Khan ◽  
Shamima Parvin Lasker
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Research Ethics ◽  
Developing Country ◽  
Health Research ◽  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Ethics Committees ◽  
Ethical Review ◽  
Ethical Standards ◽  
Research Ethics Committees ◽  
Dental Research

The objectives of this review were to examine the ethical issues in research in developing country and perspective of dental research. In this review, we performed the systematic literature search, screening process through the web in existing published and unpublished articles and reports that related to our topics between1990 to 2013. In the past few decades, the research and discoveries in the discipline of dentistry have increased dramatically. Recently many dental Institutes in developing country is constantly looking for opportunities to borrow, enhance, and integrate knowledge from biomedical and technological research by using modern technology. The retrieved information in this review reflect that to make any research involving human subjects ethically acceptable, a number of key features have to be considered by the researchers. Those who conduct oral health research are compelled by regulations and convention to follow established ethical standards to protect human rights. Bioethics and in ethical review of research in developing countries reveals many major gaps and have seen that there are indeed many ethical issues to be considered to clinical trials taking place in developing countries. Professional societies have a major influence in shaping the moral tone and ethical climate for research through the adoption of standards, the development of educational programs designed to reinforce those standards. Research ethics committees or institutional ethical review committees is to ensure that studies involving human research participants are designed to conform the relevant ethical standards and that the rights and welfare of participants are protected. Research ethics committees should not function under the influence of others and should ensures the favorable balance of potential benefits and risks. In developing country it is necessary to strengthen local capacity and manpower by developing innovative training models for ethics that are cost-effective and sustainable. The actions required to move ahead in this field include strengthening bioethics capacity, linking health research to community needs in a transparent and participatory process and increasing communication between scientists and ethicists in industrialized and developing countries. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bioethics.v5i1.18443 Bangladesh Journal of Bioethics 2014 Vol.5(1): 11-19

Ethical Issues in Researching Pregnant Women: A Commentary

2007 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 51-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shirley Jones ◽  
Paula McGee
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽  
Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Research Ethics ◽  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Resonance Imaging ◽  
Healthy Women ◽  
Ethics Review ◽  
Research Ethics Review ◽  
Singleton Pregnancies

This study appeared in full in the last issue of Research Ethics Review (2007; 3(1): 18). Rowena Jones is an obstetrician working in a busy hospital for women. Her research focuses on changes in women's brains during pregnancy1. Rowena plans to use magnetic resonance imaging to record images of the brains of women in the second and third trimesters and after birth at 6 and 24 weeks. Her sample consists of two groups of healthy women with uncomplicated and singleton pregnancies, the first primigravid and the second multiparous. There will be a minimum of five and a maximum of ten women in each group.

scholarly journals Perceptions of Challenges Affecting Research Ethics Committees’ Members at Medical and Health Science Colleges in Omani and Jordanian Universities

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Omar Al Omari ◽  
Atika Khalaf ◽  
Wael Al Delaimy ◽  
Mohammad Al Qadire ◽  
Moawiah M. Khatatbeh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Research Ethics ◽  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Ethics Committees ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Health Science ◽  
International Standards ◽  
Research Ethics Committees ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Research Activities

AbstractIn recent years there has been an increase in research conducted in the Middle East, with a corresponding increase in the challenges faced by members of the Research Ethics Committees (RECs). This study compares the structures of Omani and Jordanian RECs and investigates the perceptions of the challenges affecting the work of the REC members in Oman and Jordan. A convenience sample of 34 Omani and 66 Jordanian participants from 21 universities was recruited in this cross-sectional study. Almost 70% disagreed that the members of RECs are unqualified, providing comments without justification; half believed that members have limited experience in research, and almost three-quarters that they have different opinions regarding some ethical issues. No significant differences were found between Omani and Jordanian REC members regarding their perception of the challenges, except for the perception that reviewing proposals is a time-consuming task (p = 0.048) and that multi-REC centres are less available (p = 0.026). The regression model showed that there were significantly more male members of Jordanian RECs, and that Jordanian members were less likely to receive formal training. In conclusion, the current structure of RECs and the challenges faced by members need to be re-evaluated by decision makers to improve the overall quality of research activities, and to ensure that current REC members’ practices adhere to international standards.

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