Table 1.

Importance of research ethics

Promotes the aims of research (e.g. knowledge, truth, avoidance of error).

Promotes the values that are essential to collaborative work (e.g. trust, accountability, mutual respect, fairness).

Ensures that the researchers can be held accountable to the public.

Helps to ensure the quality and integrity of research and thereby builds public support for research.

Promotes moral and social values (e.g. social responsibility, human rights)

Resnik (2007).