Page 476 - Encyclopedia of Nursing Research

RESEARCH IN NURSING ETHICS n 443

that is, it is soundly conceived and designed; of 5–7 years. Results are shared with quali-
incorporates fair treatment and selection of fied scientists, typically following publica-
subjects; has favorable risk–benefit ratio; pro- tion (MNRS, 2002). R
tects the rights, dignity, autonomy, privacy, Publication practices include author-
and confidentiality of research participants; ship, peer review, and journal editor respon-
has undergone independent review, such as sibilities. Authors are those who contribute
by an institutional review board; incorpo- substantively to the work and can assume
rates the voluntary and informed consent public responsibility and can defend it pub-
of subjects; and protects subjects from harm licly. Substantive contribution involves two
(Burns & Grove, 2005). or more of the following: conception and
Several ethical principles undergird design, execution of the study, analysis and
integrity in science. Autonomy refers to free- interpretation of data, and preparation and
dom and capacity for intentional action and revision of manuscripts. Teams should dis-
self-governance. The concepts of privacy, con- cuss and determine, in advance, responsibil-
fidentiality, and giving voluntary informed con- ities of members in the research, authorship,
sent are based on this principle. Nonmaleficence and ordering of authors. Peer reviewers use
and beneficence together refer to three hierar- the best known standards in the field in their
chically arranged edicts: we ought to prevent reviews, maintain confidentiality, avoid con-
harm, we ought to remove harm, and we flict of interest, and provide constructive and
ought to promote good. Protecting research collegial comments. Journal editors frame pol-
subjects from harm and weighing the risks icies that assure high-quality reviews and
and benefits of a study reflect these principles. provide prompt and fair feedback to authors;
Justice, in this context, refers to the notion of they have the responsibility for determining
fairness, equitableness, and appropriateness, which manuscripts, letters, corrections, or
with respect to how benefits and resources retractions are published (MNRS, 2002).
are distributed. In research, considering the Open access publication is a recent phe-
question of who will benefit from research nomenon facilitated by the Internet, and it
and how the risks and benefits are to be might take several forms. In self-archiving,
weighed refers to this principle. individual scientists post their work online
The most frequently used scientific prior to publication. As this is done prior to
integrity guidelines by nurse scientists are peer review, revision, and editing, an article
those promulgated by the MNRS (2002). The is likely to undergo many revisions before it
topics covered in that document, along with is published. Thus, the use of such material in
the guidance provided, are briefly presented its early form can be misleading. Open-access
below. publishing is when journals make all or parts
The principal investigator has overall of a journal available (JAMA and Archives
responsibility for the project, while research Journals, 2007, p. 184). Those who access and
teams participate in developing procedures use such material need to be meticulous in
regarding data collection, storage, use, and referencing authorship, its source, publisher,
access. Data belong to the institution in the and especially the Web site and exact date
case of a grant and to the funding agency in when it was accessed so readers can be aware
the case of a contract. Team members have of which version they are reading.
access to the data and assume responsibility Several features which some guidelines
for safeguarding it and for preserving sub- do not specifically discuss, perhaps assum-
ject confidentiality; steps are taken to assure ing that they have become fundamental in
data of high quality; data are reported accu- science and our educational process for nov-
rately, avoiding intentional withholding or ices, pertain to protection of the rights of human
selective reporting. Data are kept for periods subjects, including protection from harm.