HSCI 705- Ethical Reflection 1
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Liberty University *
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705
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Philosophy
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Apr 3, 2024
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6
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Brandon Pentheny HSCI 705 Liberty University Ethical Reflection: Honor and Integrity in Science Assignment
“You have been assigned by your supervisor to develop a handbook for ethical research standards.
Within your department you have a wide range of research areas involving both human and
animal subjects.
What values and issues should this handbook address? What steps can be taken to ensure ethical?
research is being conducted within the department by both faculty and students.
In a concluding section to your paper (that would not be included in the published handbook),
analyze your theological convictions that were present in the product. How did your views?
regarding creation, care, stewardship, and Genesis in the Bible, aid in your reasonings for how
you wrote your handbook?” Ethical Reflection: Upholding Integrity in Scientific Research
Scientific research shapes our understanding of the world we live in, and ethical reasoning is vital to contextualize its credibility. This assignment develops an ethical research standard handbook in a department with research involving living organisms of both human and animal subjects. This paper discusses the ethical values and potential issues the handbook should address and proposes steps to ensure ethical research is carried out. Additionally, this paper discusses theological convictions aiding in the formation of this handbook. Values and Issues in Ethical Research
The handbook for ethical research standards would cover a myriad of values and issues, providing a comprehensive framework for researchers. One paramount fundamental value is the protection of human and animal subjects, ensuring their safety and rights are prioritized.
Informed consent in research is a foundational principle needed to uphold the rights, autonomy, and well-being of individual subjects involved in research studies. Informed consent is a dynamic process where participants voluntarily agree to take part after receiving comprehensive information regarding the research's purpose, methods, potential risks factors, and outcome benefits. By doing so this allows individuals to make an informed autonomous decision. Researchers are responsible for providing understandable and relevant information, allowing potential research participants to make fully self-determined decisions. Ethical research practices have continuous consent throughout the study, especially when any aspect of the study might change. Informed consent is crucial to guarantee participants understand and voluntarily agree to participate. However, when the subjects are animals, informed consent is not always an option. With research conducted on animals the European Union has an ethical framework of three R’s, Replacement Reduction, and Refinement (Mancinini 2022). This is done with the aim to change the study if possible. This is done by Replacing animals if possible, reducing the total number of animals, and refining the study to ensure utmost animal welfare (Mancinini 2022). By adding this to the handbook it would help ensure informed consent and welfare for human and animal subjects. Ethical consideration of informed consent serves as a hallmark to preserving integrity of research and safeguarding those involved. Transparency is an imperative value that the handbook should have. Researchers must be transparent about methodologies, data collection procedures, and conflicts of interest to preserve the credibility of scientific findings.
Data Integrity
Data integrity is a paramount portion of the research process, it ensures an observer or reader that the study has been conducted both reliably and with credibility. It includes the accuracy, consistency, and reliability of collected data throughout the research process. Upholding data integrity is imperative for establishing the validity of research, as it allows for the replication of the experiment, and the results to be reviewed and verified by peers. Data that is Inaccurate or manipulated compromises the integrity of studies but also undermines both the public and the scientific community's trust in research outcomes. The constructed handbook should address the concern of data integrity. Researchers should follow rigorous standards in data collection, analysis, and reporting to ensure reliability and validity. It is common among researchers to selectively report on desirable results (Gorman 2019). By doing this, researchers are allowed to report on perceived positive outcomes of a given study. This in turn undermines the foundation of the scientific method. Data integrity is essential for making informed decisions in the research process, and formulating evidence-based policies. Researchers should adhere to stringent standards in data collection, analysis, and reporting to uphold the ethical foundation of scientific inquiry. Steps to Ensure Ethical Research Conduct
Institutional oversight and ethical review boards are imperative in upholding compliance with set ethical standards. This handbook highlights the importance of securing ethical approvals for research involving both human and animal subjects. Regular audits and monitoring mechanisms
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should be established for any research project, this in turn creates an institutional culture of accountability and integrity. Theological Convictions in Ethical Research
It is important to address potential theological convictions aiding development of an ethical research standards handbook. Using theological perspectives adds depth and provides a foundation of values that are not scientifically quantitative. Theological convictions regarding creation emphasize the inherent value all living organisms humans share the planet with. This should in turn encourage researchers to approach scientific exploration with a sense of stewardship. In Genesis 1:26-28, the concept of stewardship is discussed. Where man's role is stewardship rather than ownership, with entrusting protection and responsibility of guarding nature and the creations in it (Hermit 2015). This concept reinforces researchers are stewards entrusted with the welfare of subjects. The theological interpretation of stewardship emphasizes the responsible management of resources. In the context of scientific data collection, this translates to responsible data management, ensuring the accuracy and reliability of information. Researchers are stewards of knowledge; they are accountable for the ethical conduct of their studies and the responsible use of the information they generate. The book of Genesis provides perspective on the intertwined relationship between humanity and the rest of creation. Understanding within the context of ethical research underscores the obligation to explore and understand the world without causing harm. This perspective
encourages an approach to research that acknowledges the interconnectedness of all living things, and aides in ethical considerations during the pursuit of knowledge. In conclusion, development of a handbook for ethical research standards provides an intensive and comprehensive task that requires understanding of values, research issues, and can be aided by the integration of theological convictions. Addressing the protection of subjects, data and methods transparency, process honesty, and data integrity, the handbook aims to guide researchers in conducting research in an ethical manner. Educational initiatives, multiple institutional oversight committees, and regular monitoring mechanisms contribute to the cultivation of a research culture grounded in integrity. The analysis of theological convictions reveals the importance of recognizing the symbiosis of all creation, stewardship, and aligning research practices with ethical imperatives based on theological perspectives. Integrating theological insights into the ethical framework enhances the depth of the handbook and further reinforces the ethical responsibility researchers uphold in the pursuit of knowledge. This ethical assignment demonstrates the relationship between ethical research, theological, and the pursuit of scientific knowledge that upholds the integrity of both science and faith.
References: Gorman, D. M., Elkins, A. D., & Lawley, M. (2019). A systems approach to understanding and improving research integrity. Science and Engineering Ethics
, 25
, 211-229 Hermit, J. T. (2015). Environmental Stewardship: Emerging Trends in Christian Ecological Ethics. International Journal of English and Literature
, 5
(1), 97-104. Mancini, C., & Nannoni, E. (2022). Relevance, impartiality, welfare and consent: principles of an animal-centered research ethics. Frontiers in Animal Science
, 3
, 800186.
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