Research ethics is, broadly, a set of norms for conduct when undertaking research activity. Typically, however, major research institutions and agencies define research ethics as a set of principles for researchers. Some common principles are as follows:
- Scientific and Social Value - Research is designed to answer specified research question(s). Along these lines, research should adhere to their stated aims and contribute to the scientific body of knowledge on a topic; where appropriate, research should also benefit participants through contributions to the scientific record.
- Scientific Validity - Experiments and studies should be designed to get an understandable answer to their questions. This means researchers should consider whether their questions have answers, if their results will be valid, and if their designs follow accepted methodologies.
- Informed Consent - Researchers working with human participants should accurately describe research activities to potential participants, including methods, risks, benefits, and alternative options and allow each individual to make a voluntary decision on whether or not to participate.
- Appropriate Risk-Benefit Ratio - Uncertainty about the risks of research activity may vary over time for a study; however, at each step of an experiment researchers should minimize the risks and maximize the benefits associated with their work.
- Respect for Participants - For those working with human subjects participant privacy, decisions, and debriefing should be of the utmost importance. This means researchers should prioritize keeping shared information confidential and private, respect participants' rights to change their minds, and share developments and findings from the research with all involved.
- Peer Review - The scientific community should hold research plans, activities, and products to the highest standards, having peers of researcher(s) ensuring that each step minimizes conflicts of interest and potential risks for those involved.