View each of the You Tube clips listed below: Research Ethics Belmont Report Part 1 Belmont Report Part 2 IRB (Institutional Review Board) After viewing each video, write a paragraph about the video and describe one point from each video that you think is important regarding protecting human subjects in research. Your submission should be 400-500 words, using APA style.
Title: Protecting Human Subjects in Research: Insights from the Belmont Report and Institutional Review Boards
Introduction:
Ethical considerations play a vital role in research involving human subjects, ensuring their protection and well-being. The Belmont Report serves as a foundational document in research ethics, providing guidelines for conducting ethical research. Additionally, Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) are responsible for reviewing and approving research protocols to ensure compliance with ethical standards. This paper examines the key points presented in three YouTube videos: the Belmont Report Part 1, Belmont Report Part 2, and IRB. Emphasis is placed on addressing the importance of protecting human subjects in research from various ethical perspectives outlined in each video.
Belmont Report Part 1:
In the “Belmont Report Part 1” video, the foundation of ethical principles guiding research involving human subjects is discussed. One key point highlighted in this video is the distinction between research and practice. Research aims to answer specific questions, generate new knowledge, or contribute to generalizable principles, whereas practice merely seeks to provide care or treatment based on established knowledge. This distinction is crucial in understanding the ethical obligations researchers have towards their subjects. Ensuring the voluntary participation of subjects, obtaining informed consent, and minimizing risks and potential harm are vital components of ethical research practices. The report emphasizes the importance of striking a balance between the potential benefits of research and the risks it entails, recognizing that ethical considerations may limit the scope or implementation of certain studies to safeguard human subjects.
Belmont Report Part 2:
The “Belmont Report Part 2” video delves into the three core ethical principles identified by the Belmont Report: respect for persons, beneficence, and justice. Respect for persons emphasizes the autonomy of individuals, necessitating informed and voluntary participation in research. From this video, it is evident that informed consent is not merely a legal requirement but also an ethical obligation. Moreover, researchers should provide clear and comprehensive information to participants to ensure their understanding and ability to make informed decisions regarding their involvement in the research process. Beneficence requires researchers to maximize benefits and minimize potential harms to human subjects. This principle emphasizes the importance of carefully assessing risks and benefits, ensuring a favorable risk-to-benefit ratio, and implementing strategies to monitor and minimize harm throughout the study. Finally, justice demands fairness in the selection of research participants and the distribution of benefits and burdens. Researchers are encouraged to consider inclusivity, avoiding exploitation, and conducting research that contributes to the betterment of society as a whole.
IRB (Institutional Review Board):
The “IRB” video focuses on the role and responsibilities of Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) in safeguarding human subjects. One crucial point emphasized in this video is the need for researchers to obtain IRB approval before commencing research involving human subjects. IRBs, comprised of multidisciplinary experts, ensure that research adheres to ethical guidelines, regulations, and applicable laws. Their primary responsibility is to review research protocols, assess risks, and determine the adequacy of proposed safeguards for protecting human subjects. The IRB review process aids in identifying potential ethical issues, emphasizing the importance of ongoing oversight throughout the research process. This video highlights that researchers must work collaboratively with IRBs to ensure research protocols meet ethical standards and protect the rights and well-being of participants.
Conclusion:
Ethical considerations form the foundation for protecting human subjects in research. The Belmont Report and the role of Institutional Review Boards play an instrumental role in upholding ethical standards. The insights gained from the videos provide a comprehensive understanding of the principles of research ethics. Researchers must emphasize the distinction between research and practice, prioritize the well-being and autonomy of participants, and carefully assess risks and benefits. Moreover, collaboration with IRBs is essential to ensure compliance with ethical guidelines and regulations. By adhering to these principles, individuals involved in research can contribute to the generation of knowledge while ensuring human subjects are protected from potential harm.