sample ethics research paper

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177 Interesting Ethics Paper Topics For Your Thesis

Ethics is a branch of study in philosophy that studies the concept of morality—what is good or bad, what is acceptable or unacceptable. It’s a philosophical theory that looks into moral rules and codes, principles, value systems, and other related concepts.

In academia, an ethical theory is used as one of the analytical tools in drawing analysis on several socio-cultural topics. Ethics can be applied to any particular subject matter in human society. And, on this, so many compelling, controversial or interesting ethical topics for academic essays and research papers have continued to spring up.

For students writing either an essay or a research paper on ethics, there are some relevant things to note about a good essay/research topic and writing a dissertation. They include:

Brainstorm on different topics Always go for a topic you are familiar with Choose a topic that has enough “flesh”. This is important as interesting topics will help you develop your essay/research Define your subject of interest. It makes the writing easier Properly researching for topics that serve contemporary social relevance Outlining is important for your research topic

What following some of these processes does for your essay/research/thesis is that it enriches your work and affords you the ability to communicate ideas clearly to readers. Here are some topics in ethics you can use for your essay/research.

Interesting Top Level Ethics Paper Topics for All Students

Writing a paper on ethics makes for an interesting writing experience because they usually require that the writer make a case for a particular subject based on whether the subject is right or wrong. There are so many ethical topics for papers. As a student, there are several ethical questions to debate, and you can choose to model your topic using some of these samples:

• Discuss what should be done concerning the rise in the ban on safe abortion
• Is the right to safe abortion practice unethical?
• Should abortion practice be promoted or championed for women in society?
• Are humans truly the root source for the issues of climate change and global warming the world is currently experiencing?
• Is it right to discriminate against the sexes?
• Is there a defining difference between sexes and gender?
• Is the practice of gender-based violence ethical?
• Should safe sexual practices be promoted?
• Sex: A Study of the growing practice of sexual relationships outside marriage
• Domestic Violence and how it can be combated
• Marijuana: The distinction to its health roles and health challenges it poses on individuals
• Is it unethical to promote capitalism and capitalist concepts?
• A Study of Racism and measures to ensure its decline
• Is it ethical to be a millionaire while there are so many less privileged people?
• A study of the ethical challenges that come with being in the academia
• Is war an ethical practice?
• Why LGBTQ+ people should not be discriminated against
• What are the ways workplace ethics can address issues of homophobia and internalized sexism?
• Is sexism in the workplace an ethical practice?
• The issue of microaggression and how it can be addressed
• A study of why workplaces need ethical conduct that monitors issues of workplace harassment
• Should salaries be uneven?
• How unethical are uneven salary payment structures?
• Should start-up tech companies hire more men for starters?
• How people can prioritize online privacy
• Is bridging online privacy unethical?
• Is the right to privacy unethical?

Engaging Ethical Dilemma Topics

As ethics deals with the debate on morals, one of the ways topics on ethics manifests is in the subject of dilemma. Topics like this focus on trying to find a suitable justification for one idea over another. There are several ethics topics to write about on this subject. Some of them include:

• Should students be allowed to bring their phones to school?
• Should parents police every social activity of their children?
• Should teachers use the cane on students as a disciplinary measure?
• Is flogging a good correctional practice?
• Should you leave your partner if they are of opposing political views?
• Should opposing religious beliefs be a deal-breaker in relationships?
• Should capitalism be abolished completely?
• Should a teacher maintain some level of friendship with their students?
• Is there any lingering importance of capitalism to society?
• Is revenge a viable option in a relationship if your partner cheats on you?
• Is sharing your experiences online the same as showing off a lifestyle?
• Should people from different religious beliefs and backgrounds partner?
• Is checking the DNA of your children important or necessary?
• Should parents enforce their children on behaviors to take up?
• Can discipline properly correct the attitudes of a child?
• Should eating junk foods be avoided completely?
• Should Halloween Trick or Treat and Costume be prioritized over Thanksgiving Dinners?
• Should children hold different religious beliefs from their parents while still young?
• Does strict parenting serve as the best way to raise a child?
• Is it important to reveal a secret to a friend or to keep one’s peace?
• Should cooking at home be prioritized over eating out?
• Is socialism a more suitable social practice than capitalism?
• Is accepting financial assistance from your parents acceptable after a certain age?
• Should school authorities seize phones brought to school?
• Is sending a child to a mixed school better than same-sex schools?
• Can afforestation alone save the world from global warming and the general climate change condition?
• Does being educated equate with being intelligent?

Ethical Issues to Write about in Your College Essay

One important thing to note about ethical topics is that they touch across so many different subjects. As a college student preparing to write an essay on ethics, rest assured as there are so many ethics ideas to write about. Here are some ethical topics to write about:

• Does Hiring female employees cover a company’s sexist motives?
• Should Actors be paid more than teachers?
• Taking medical decisions for a patient without their consent
• How ethical is the interference of the judiciary by the legislative arm of government?
• Is it ethical to fire someone due to their dress code?
• Is it unethical to wear colored hair to work?
• Is censorship ethical?
• Where does media censorship draw the line?
• Is it ethical for religious figureheads to meddle in state politics?
• Should gender be the reason why a person is restricted access to certain social privileges?
• Should sexuality be a discriminatory factor in society?
• Should companies and places of work provide counseling and therapy services for their employees?
• Can Children wear makeup on special occasions?
• Is it unethical to make medical decisions for a patient without any recognizable relatives?
• Does dress code need to affect how you are addressed?
• Should implementing ethics in sports be recommended?
• Is police brutality an ethical practice?
• The impacts of the excessive consumption of media content?
• Is the excessive use of social media healthy?
• How can companies ensure paid maternal and paternal leave?
• How can the inclusion of non-binary people in company policies promote growth?
• Is exclusion on the grounds of sexuality ethical?
• Is exclusion due to political beliefs unethical?
• How to promote ethical work culture?
• How can a company ensure that ethical practices are promoted in their companies?

Ethical Argument Topics to Write About

The best part about writing an ethical essay is that it is about anything that is of interest. An important aspect of the ethical argument topic is that it is supported with evidence. There are so many ethical topics to write about that fall within this category, and they include:

• Is the having of ethical codes and conducts important in an organization?
• Should people only implement progressive ideas to meet societal needs?
• Why LGBTQ+ should not be discriminated against
• Is it unethical to come to work late?
• Is government-sanctioned execution an ethical practice?
• Is the American incarceration system an effective corrective system?
• Is corrective rape an ethical practice?
• Should the issue of internalized homophobia be addressed?
• Internalized patriarchy and internalized homophobia, which one births one
• Should smoking weed be made legal?
• Why do the less privileged need free healthcare services
• A study of the effects of colonialism and internalized slavery
• Must aspiring journalists only focus on journalism courses?
• Addressing what it means to be of ethical behavior
• Should students be given a take-home assignment?
• Is there any academic relevance to assignments?
• Is access to free healthcare important?
• Does following the ethics code have abt social relevance?
• What role should developed countries play for developing countries?
• Is analysis writing an important aspect of literature?
• What role does ethics play in schools
• Should the address of global warming be continuous?
• Is there room for possible positive developments in global warming?
• Is the practice of ethics the same as moral teaching
• Should schools create sex education into their education curriculum

Comprehensive Ethics Debate Topics for Anyone

Just like the argumentative ethics topic, a debate topic on ethics centers majorly on choosing a part to argue for or against. This argument also is wrapped with evidence to support it. Your ethic topics can be on any subject. You can choose moral topics or any other topic with relevance. Here are some lists of ethical debate topics anyone can write on:

• Should the use of Contraceptives be promoted?
• Does legalizing weed make it any healthier?
• Should school children bring phones into school settings?
• The health impact of excessive engagement on social media
• Social relevance and importance of having ethical conducts
• Do companies with ethical conduct grow ahead
• Does ethics make a workplace safer?
• Are there importance on why sex education should be added to student’s
• Why safe abortion rights should be legalized
• Why the discrimination based on sexuality is harmful
• Why the practice of hedonism is important
• Sexual pleasure: Is it morally good?
• Is happiness dependent on an external factor?
• Why Institutionalized racism is the root cause of racism and racist beliefs
• Should the use of drugs be legalized?
• Is there any progressive importance to having a conservative view on things?
• Should social media apps allow explicit sexual content?
• Should social app builders have access to individual account
• Can homeschool match formal school training?
• Should the government ensure censorship measures?
• Is voting during elections the only form of patriotism?
• Is voting a patriotic display
• Are families allowed to have contradicting religious beliefs?
• Should state governments have any interference with the federal government?
• Should teenagers have access to contraceptives?

Good Ethical Research Papers for your Thesis or Dissertation

Writing either a thesis or a dissertation is a necessary part of academia. As a university student, you can’t graduate from only writing essays withiut writing your graduating thesis. There are so many areas your research paper about ethics can focus on. Here is a list of ethical topics:

• The contemporary relevance of applied ethics
• The psychological impacts of the proliferation of technology
• A Case Study of the legality of weed
• A multi-dimensional approach to the subject of marriage
• An ethical approach to the killing of animals
• A case study of the critical ethical debates on the use of contraception
• An analytical study of the relevance of ethical conduct in the workplace
• An investigation into the social relevance and importance of the beauty pageantry culture
• A critical study of normative ethics
• The role of applied ethics in the building of a healthy work culture
• An overview of the barriers associated with good leadership practice
• A Study of the importance of ethical practice in the healthcare system
• The study of ethics in business social responsibility
• An Overview on how Ethics promotes a saner working culture
• A look into how ethics promotes healthy social relationships
• The ethical relevance for Doctor and Patient Confidentiality
• Malpractice and Negligence an ethically challenging issue within the healthcare system
• The social and health relevance to access to free healthcare insurance
• A Study of the social relevance of ethics
• Violence: violence against animals is still abuse
• A look into strategic approaches to managing cyber crimes
• Ethic reasons for the separation of the church from politics
• Ethical Conduct: How Organizations with practicable ethics produces a toxic work environment
• A look into how Social media negatively impacts the IQ of a student
• The role of self-awareness and professional responsibility impacts social ethics in the workplace

Good Ethical Questions for Discussion

Primarily, ethics asks and answers the question of wrong or good. There are so many social issues that will make for good ethical questions for discussion. Here is a list of ethical questions for students to form insights from:

• How does ethics help to promote healthy workplace awareness?
• Does the practice of abortion negate morality?
• Is it right for a rape victim to be denied access to safe and free abortion?
• How do homophobia, racism, misogyny, and ableist practices hinder social growth?
• Should there be free access to condoms and contraceptive pills?
• Is free access to contraceptives better than the provision of menstrual materials
• How can racism be dismantled in an organization without consideration to institutionalized racism?
• How does the continuous promotion of capitalist concepts hinder societal progress?
• Does capitalism truly hinder social growth?
• Why should there be free access to contraceptive materials especially for women?
• What are the possible feasible solutions to the issue of climate change?
• Is it unethical not to share the wealth?
• Is engaging in warfare the right way to bring solutions?
• Does the use of makeup contradict the concept of beauty?
• Why are LGBTQ+ rights human rights?
• Is the legalization of cannabis ethical?
• Does the way you dress need to be the reason you are addressed a certain way?
• Are there moral problems that come with job automation?
• What can be done to combat the use of harmful substances
• Why should companies stop discriminating based on sex?
• What is the social relevance of providing workplace access?
• Why should parents and teachers stop flogging students?
• What is the distinction between discipline and strictness?
• Should religious beliefs be a dealbreaker in any relationship?

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Methodology

• Ethical Considerations in Research | Types & Examples

Ethical Considerations in Research | Types & Examples

Published on October 18, 2021 by Pritha Bhandari . Revised on May 9, 2024.

Ethical considerations in research are a set of principles that guide your research designs and practices. Scientists and researchers must always adhere to a certain code of conduct when collecting data from people.

The goals of human research often include understanding real-life phenomena, studying effective treatments, investigating behaviors, and improving lives in other ways. What you decide to research and how you conduct that research involve key ethical considerations.

These considerations work to

• protect the rights of research participants
• enhance research validity
• maintain scientific or academic integrity

Table of contents

Why do research ethics matter, getting ethical approval for your study, types of ethical issues, voluntary participation, informed consent, confidentiality, potential for harm, results communication, examples of ethical failures, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about research ethics.

Research ethics matter for scientific integrity, human rights and dignity, and collaboration between science and society. These principles make sure that participation in studies is voluntary, informed, and safe for research subjects.

You’ll balance pursuing important research objectives with using ethical research methods and procedures. It’s always necessary to prevent permanent or excessive harm to participants, whether inadvertent or not.

Defying research ethics will also lower the credibility of your research because it’s hard for others to trust your data if your methods are morally questionable.

Even if a research idea is valuable to society, it doesn’t justify violating the human rights or dignity of your study participants.

Prevent plagiarism. Run a free check.

Before you start any study involving data collection with people, you’ll submit your research proposal to an institutional review board (IRB) .

An IRB is a committee that checks whether your research aims and research design are ethically acceptable and follow your institution’s code of conduct. They check that your research materials and procedures are up to code.

If successful, you’ll receive IRB approval, and you can begin collecting data according to the approved procedures. If you want to make any changes to your procedures or materials, you’ll need to submit a modification application to the IRB for approval.

If unsuccessful, you may be asked to re-submit with modifications or your research proposal may receive a rejection. To get IRB approval, it’s important to explicitly note how you’ll tackle each of the ethical issues that may arise in your study.

There are several ethical issues you should always pay attention to in your research design, and these issues can overlap with each other.

You’ll usually outline ways you’ll deal with each issue in your research proposal if you plan to collect data from participants.

Voluntary participation means that all research subjects are free to choose to participate without any pressure or coercion.

All participants are able to withdraw from, or leave, the study at any point without feeling an obligation to continue. Your participants don’t need to provide a reason for leaving the study.

It’s important to make it clear to participants that there are no negative consequences or repercussions to their refusal to participate. After all, they’re taking the time to help you in the research process , so you should respect their decisions without trying to change their minds.

Voluntary participation is an ethical principle protected by international law and many scientific codes of conduct.

Take special care to ensure there’s no pressure on participants when you’re working with vulnerable groups of people who may find it hard to stop the study even when they want to.

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Informed consent refers to a situation in which all potential participants receive and understand all the information they need to decide whether they want to participate. This includes information about the study’s benefits, risks, funding, and institutional approval.

You make sure to provide all potential participants with all the relevant information about

• what the study is about
• the risks and benefits of taking part
• how long the study will take
• your supervisor’s contact information and the institution’s approval number

Usually, you’ll provide participants with a text for them to read and ask them if they have any questions. If they agree to participate, they can sign or initial the consent form. Note that this may not be sufficient for informed consent when you work with particularly vulnerable groups of people.

If you’re collecting data from people with low literacy, make sure to verbally explain the consent form to them before they agree to participate.

For participants with very limited English proficiency, you should always translate the study materials or work with an interpreter so they have all the information in their first language.

In research with children, you’ll often need informed permission for their participation from their parents or guardians. Although children cannot give informed consent, it’s best to also ask for their assent (agreement) to participate, depending on their age and maturity level.

Anonymity means that you don’t know who the participants are and you can’t link any individual participant to their data.

You can only guarantee anonymity by not collecting any personally identifying information—for example, names, phone numbers, email addresses, IP addresses, physical characteristics, photos, and videos.

In many cases, it may be impossible to truly anonymize data collection . For example, data collected in person or by phone cannot be considered fully anonymous because some personal identifiers (demographic information or phone numbers) are impossible to hide.

You’ll also need to collect some identifying information if you give your participants the option to withdraw their data at a later stage.

Data pseudonymization is an alternative method where you replace identifying information about participants with pseudonymous, or fake, identifiers. The data can still be linked to participants but it’s harder to do so because you separate personal information from the study data.

Confidentiality means that you know who the participants are, but you remove all identifying information from your report.

All participants have a right to privacy, so you should protect their personal data for as long as you store or use it. Even when you can’t collect data anonymously, you should secure confidentiality whenever you can.

Some research designs aren’t conducive to confidentiality, but it’s important to make all attempts and inform participants of the risks involved.

As a researcher, you have to consider all possible sources of harm to participants. Harm can come in many different forms.

• Psychological harm: Sensitive questions or tasks may trigger negative emotions such as shame or anxiety.
• Social harm: Participation can involve social risks, public embarrassment, or stigma.
• Physical harm: Pain or injury can result from the study procedures.
• Legal harm: Reporting sensitive data could lead to legal risks or a breach of privacy.

It’s best to consider every possible source of harm in your study as well as concrete ways to mitigate them. Involve your supervisor to discuss steps for harm reduction.

Make sure to disclose all possible risks of harm to participants before the study to get informed consent. If there is a risk of harm, prepare to provide participants with resources or counseling or medical services if needed.

Some of these questions may bring up negative emotions, so you inform participants about the sensitive nature of the survey and assure them that their responses will be confidential.

The way you communicate your research results can sometimes involve ethical issues. Good science communication is honest, reliable, and credible. It’s best to make your results as transparent as possible.

Take steps to actively avoid plagiarism and research misconduct wherever possible.

Plagiarism means submitting others’ works as your own. Although it can be unintentional, copying someone else’s work without proper credit amounts to stealing. It’s an ethical problem in research communication because you may benefit by harming other researchers.

Self-plagiarism is when you republish or re-submit parts of your own papers or reports without properly citing your original work.

This is problematic because you may benefit from presenting your ideas as new and original even though they’ve already been published elsewhere in the past. You may also be infringing on your previous publisher’s copyright, violating an ethical code, or wasting time and resources by doing so.

In extreme cases of self-plagiarism, entire datasets or papers are sometimes duplicated. These are major ethical violations because they can skew research findings if taken as original data.

You notice that two published studies have similar characteristics even though they are from different years. Their sample sizes, locations, treatments, and results are highly similar, and the studies share one author in common.

Research misconduct

Research misconduct means making up or falsifying data, manipulating data analyses, or misrepresenting results in research reports. It’s a form of academic fraud.

These actions are committed intentionally and can have serious consequences; research misconduct is not a simple mistake or a point of disagreement about data analyses.

Research misconduct is a serious ethical issue because it can undermine academic integrity and institutional credibility. It leads to a waste of funding and resources that could have been used for alternative research.

Later investigations revealed that they fabricated and manipulated their data to show a nonexistent link between vaccines and autism. Wakefield also neglected to disclose important conflicts of interest, and his medical license was taken away.

This fraudulent work sparked vaccine hesitancy among parents and caregivers. The rate of MMR vaccinations in children fell sharply, and measles outbreaks became more common due to a lack of herd immunity.

Research scandals with ethical failures are littered throughout history, but some took place not that long ago.

Some scientists in positions of power have historically mistreated or even abused research participants to investigate research problems at any cost. These participants were prisoners, under their care, or otherwise trusted them to treat them with dignity.

To demonstrate the importance of research ethics, we’ll briefly review two research studies that violated human rights in modern history.

These experiments were inhumane and resulted in trauma, permanent disabilities, or death in many cases.

After some Nazi doctors were put on trial for their crimes, the Nuremberg Code of research ethics for human experimentation was developed in 1947 to establish a new standard for human experimentation in medical research.

In reality, the actual goal was to study the effects of the disease when left untreated, and the researchers never informed participants about their diagnoses or the research aims.

Although participants experienced severe health problems, including blindness and other complications, the researchers only pretended to provide medical care.

When treatment became possible in 1943, 11 years after the study began, none of the participants were offered it, despite their health conditions and high risk of death.

Ethical failures like these resulted in severe harm to participants, wasted resources, and lower trust in science and scientists. This is why all research institutions have strict ethical guidelines for performing research.

If you want to know more about statistics , methodology , or research bias , make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples.

• Normal distribution
• Measures of central tendency
• Chi square tests
• Confidence interval
• Quartiles & Quantiles
• Cluster sampling
• Stratified sampling
• Thematic analysis
• Cohort study
• Peer review
• Ethnography

Research bias

• Implicit bias
• Cognitive bias
• Conformity bias
• Hawthorne effect
• Availability heuristic
• Attrition bias
• Social desirability bias

Ethical considerations in research are a set of principles that guide your research designs and practices. These principles include voluntary participation, informed consent, anonymity, confidentiality, potential for harm, and results communication.

Scientists and researchers must always adhere to a certain code of conduct when collecting data from others .

These considerations protect the rights of research participants, enhance research validity , and maintain scientific integrity.

Research ethics matter for scientific integrity, human rights and dignity, and collaboration between science and society. These principles make sure that participation in studies is voluntary, informed, and safe.

Anonymity means you don’t know who the participants are, while confidentiality means you know who they are but remove identifying information from your research report. Both are important ethical considerations .

You can only guarantee anonymity by not collecting any personally identifying information—for example, names, phone numbers, email addresses, IP addresses, physical characteristics, photos, or videos.

You can keep data confidential by using aggregate information in your research report, so that you only refer to groups of participants rather than individuals.

These actions are committed intentionally and can have serious consequences; research misconduct is not a simple mistake or a point of disagreement but a serious ethical failure.

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Writing Ethical Papers: Top Tips to Ace Your Assignment

17 August, 2021

13 minutes read

Author:  Kate Smith

Writing a complex essay paper can be a tough task for any student, especially for those who do not have their skills developed well or do not have enough time for lengthy assignments. At the same time, the majority of college students need to keep their grades high to maintain their right to receive merit-based scholarships and continue their studies the next year. To help you with your ethical papers writing, we created this guide. Below, you will find out what an ethical paper is, how to structure it and write it efficiently. 

What is an Ethical Paper?

An ethics paper is a type of an argumentative assignment that deals with a certain ethical problem that a student has to describe and solve. Also, it can be an essay where a certain controversial event or concept is elaborated through an ethical lens (e.g. moral rules and principles), or a certain ethical dilemma is explained. Since ethics is connected to moral concepts and choices, a student needs to have a fair knowledge of philosophy and get ready to answer questions related to relationships, justice, professional and social duties, the origin of good and evil, etc., to write a quality paper. Also, writing an ethics paper implies that a student should process a great amount of information regarding their topic and analyze it according to paper terms.

General Aspects of Writing an Ethics Paper

Understanding the ethical papers’ features.

Every essay has differences and features that make it unique. Writing ethical papers implies that a student will use their knowledge of morality and philosophy to resolve a certain ethical dilemma or solve a situation. It can also be a paper in which a student needs to provide their reasoning on ethical or legal circumstances that follow a social issue. Finally, it can be an assignment in which an ethical concept and its application are described. On the contrary, a history essay deals with events that took place somewhen earlier, while a narrative essay is a paper where students demonstrate their storytelling skills, etc.

Defining What Type of Essay Should Be Written

Most of the time, ethical paper topics imply that a student will write an argumentative essay; however, ethics essays can also be descriptive and expository. Each of these essay types has different guidelines for writing, so be sure you know them before you start writing your papers on ethics. In case you missed this step in your ethical paper preparation stage, you would end up writing a paper that misses many important points.

Studying the Ethical Paper Guidelines

Once you get your ethical paper assignment, look through the guidelines that your instructor provided to you. If you receive them during the class, don’t hesitate to pose any questions immediately to remove any misunderstanding before writing an ethics paper outline, or ask for references that you need to use. When you are about to write your first draft, don’t rush: read the paper instructions once again to make sure you understand what is needed from you.

Paying Attention to the Paper Topic

The next thing you need to pay attention to is the ethical paper topic: once you are given one, make sure it falls into the scope of your educational course. After that, consider what additional knowledge may be needed to elaborate on your topic and think about what courses of your program could be helpful for it. Once you are done, read through your topic again to recheck whether you understand your assignment right.

Understanding the Notions of Ethical Arguments, Ethical and Legal Implications, and Ethical Dilemma

Last but not least, another important factor is that a student has to understand the basic terms of the assignment to write a high-quality paper. Ethical arguments are a set of moral rules that are used to defend your position on an ethical issue stated in your essay topic. We refer to ethical versus legal implications when we think about the compensation for certain ethical dilemma outcomes and whether it should be a moral punishment or legal judgment. An ethical dilemma itself refers to a problem or situation which makes an individual doubt what position to take: e.g, abortion, bribery, corruption, etc.

Writing Outline and Structure of an Ethics Paper

Every essay has a structure that makes it a solid piece of writing with straight reasoning and argumentation, and an ethics paper is not an exclusion. This paper has an introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. Below, we will describe how each part of ethical papers should be organized and what information they should contain.

First comes the introduction. It is the opening part of your paper which helps a reader to get familiar with your topic and understand what your paper will be about. Therefore, it should contain some information on your ethics paper topics and a thesis statement, which is a central statement of your paper.

The essay body is the most substantive part of your essay where all the reasoning and arguments should be presented. Each paragraph should contain an argument that supports or contradicts your thesis statement and pieces of evidence to support your position. Pick at least three arguments to make your position clear in your essay, and then your paper will be considered well-structured.

The third part of an ethics paper outline is a conclusion, which is a finishing essay part. Its goal is to wrap up the whole essay and make the author’s position clear for the last time. The thoughtful formulation in this essay part should be especially clear and concise to demonstrate the writer’s ability to make conclusions and persuade readers.

Also, don’t forget to include the works cited page after your writing. It should mention all the reference materials that you used in your paper in the order of appearance or in the alphabetical one. This page should be formatted according to the assigned formatting style. Most often, the most frequently used format for ethical papers is APA.

20 Examples of Ethical Paper Topics

• Are there any issues in the 21st century that we can consider immoral and why?
• What is corporate ethics?
• Why is being selfish no longer an issue in 2023?
• Euthanasia: pros and cons
• Marijuana legalization: should it be allowed all over the world?
• Is abortion an ethical issue nowadays?
• Can we invent a universal religion appropriate for all?
• Is the church necessary to pray to God?
• Can we forgive infidelity and should we do it?
• How to react if you are witnessing high school bullying?
• What are the ways to respond to a family abusing individual?
• How to demand your privacy protection in a digital world?
• The history of the American ethical thought
• Can war be ethical and what should the conflicting sides do to make it possible?
• Ethical issues of keeping a zoo in 2023
• Who is in charge of controlling the world’s population?
• How to achieve equality in the world’s rich and poor gap?
• Is science ethical?
• How ethical is genetic engineering?
• Why many countries refuse to go back to carrying out the death penalty?

Ethical Papers Examples

If you still have no idea about how to write an ethics paper, looking through other students’ successful examples is always a good idea. Below, you can find a relevant ethics paper example that you can skim through and see how to build your reasoning and argumentation in your own paper.

https://www.currentschoolnews.com/education-news/ethics-essay-examples/

https://sites.psu.edu/academy/2014/11/18/essay-2-personal-ethics-and-decision-making/

Ethical Papers Writing Tips

Choose a topic that falls into the ethics course program.

In case you were not given the ethics paper topic, consider choosing it yourself. To do that, brainstorm the ethical issues that fascinate you enough to do research. List all these issues on a paper sheet and then cross out those that are too broad or require expertise that you don’t have. The next step you need to take is to choose three or four ethical topics for papers from the list and try to do a quick search online to find out whether these topics are elaborated enough to find sources and reference materials on them. Last, choose one topic that you like the most and find the most relevant one in terms of available data for reference.

Do your research

Once the topic is chosen and organized, dive deeper into it to find the most credible, reliable, and trusted service. Use your university library, online scientific journals, documentaries, and other sources to get the information from. Remember to take notes while working with every new piece of reference material to not forget the ideas that you will base your argumentation on.

Follow the guidelines for a paper outline

During the preparation for your ethical paper and the process of writing it, remember to follow your professor’s instructions (e.g. font, size, spacing, citation style, etc.). If you neglect them, your grade for the paper will decrease significantly.

Write the essay body first

Do not rush to start writing your ethics papers from the very beginning; to write a good essay, you need to have your outline and thesis statement first. Then, go to writing body paragraphs to demonstrate your expertise on the issue you are writing about. Remember that one supporting idea should be covered in one paragraph and should be followed by the piece of evidence that confirms it.

Make sure your introduction and conclusion translate the same message

After your essay body is done, write a conclusion and an introduction for your paper. The main tip regarding these ethics paper parts is that you should make them interrelated: your conclusion has to restate your introduction but not repeat it. Also, a conclusion should wrap up your writing and make it credible for the audience.

Add citations

Every top-quality paper has the works cited page and citations to demonstrate that the research on the topic has been carried out. Therefore, do not omit this point when formatting your paper: add all the sources to the works cited page and pay attention to citing throughout the text. The latter should be done according to the formatting style indicated in your instructions.

Edit your paper

Last but not least is the editing and proofreading stage that you need to carry out before you submit your paper to your instructor. Consider keeping your first draft away from sight for a day or two to have a rest, and then go back to check it for errors and redundant phrases. Don’t rush to change anything immediately after finishing your writing since you are already tired and less focused, so some mistakes may be missed.

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Principles of research ethics: A research primer for low- and middle-income countries

Cindy c. bitter.

a Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Division of Emergency Medicine, St. Louis MO, USA

Annet Alenyo Ngabirano

b Aga Khan University, Kampala, Uganda

e Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda

Erin L. Simon

c Cleveland Clinic Akron General, Department of Emergency Medicine, Akron, OH, USA

f Northeast Ohio Medical University, Rootstown, OH, USA

David McD. Taylor

d University of Melbourne, Department of Medicine, Parkville, Victoria, Australia

g Austin Health, Heidelburg, Victoria, Australia

Ethical oversight in the form of review boards and research ethics committees provide protection for research subjects as well as guidance for safe conduct of studies. As the number of collaborative emergency care research studies carried out in low- and middle-income countries increases, it is crucial to have a shared understanding of how ethics should inform choice of study topic, study design, methods of obtaining consent, data management, and access to treatment after closure of the study. This paper describes the basic principles of Western research ethics – respect for persons, beneficence, and justice - and how the principles may be contextualized in different settings, by researchers of various backgrounds with different funding streams. Examples of lapses in ethical practice of research are used to highlight best practices.

African relevance

• • Low and middle income countries (LMICs) have a high burden of acute illness, but insufficient research on emergency care
• • Ethical barriers and lack of oversight impede emergency care research in LMICs
• • Ethical clinical research in LMICs builds capacity and contributes to the evidence base for emergency care

The International Federation for Emergency Medicine global health research primer

This paper forms part 7 of a series of how to papers, commissioned by the International Federation for Emergency Medicine. This primer discusses ways to ensure that research is carried out ethically. It discusses principles for researchers from the global north involved in emergency care research projects in LMICs and provides guidance for LMIC researchers who may not have experience for navigating ethical issues in research. We have also included additional tips and pitfalls that are relevant to emergency medicine researchers.

Despite a disproportionally high burden of acute illnesses in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs), there is insufficient emergency care research. In a survey carried out through the African Federation for Emergency Medicine (AFEM), 67.3% of respondents agreed with this statement [ 1 ]. Research that targets local health challenges, such as context-specific health service delivery and drug development for diseases prevalent in LMIC, has the potential to improve population health in host countries [ [2] , [3] , [4] ].

Ethical barriers and oversight have been cited as an important barrier to research in LMIC [ 5 ]. Emanuel et al. provided a framework for conducting ethical research that stressed collaborative partnerships, social value, scientific validity, fair selection of study populations, favourable risk-benefit ratio, independent review, informed consent, and respect for recruited participants and study communities [ 6 ]. In their review of the framework, Tsoka-Gwegweni and colleagues concluded that most recurring ethical issues relating to research in LMICs were informed consent, scientific validity, fair participant selection and on-going respect for participants [ 7 ]. Research priorities are often determined outside the host country, raising concerns of outsourcing risk and exploitation of uninformed populations [ 8 ].

The value of building ethical clinical research in LMICs goes beyond the specific information collected in a study. Conducting research has substantial positive impact in a community by raising local scholarly standards and encouraging independent thinking and creativity as many LMICs work towards building evidence-based emergency care systems. Each project builds confidence and skills which allows local researchers to participate fully in the scientific process which impacts the care of their local community. This may lead to intellectual and financial resources for the community which in turn encourages local empowerment and self-sufficiency for additional research.

Bioethical principles

Review of research protocols by experts not involved with the study is one way of ensuring protection for human research subjects. In the United States of America (US), such review committees are called Institutional Review Boards (IRBs). In other countries, these committees may be called Human Research Ethics Committees (HREC) or have other titles. Several articles discuss the evolution of HRECs in sub Saharan Africa [ 9 , 10 ].

Most Western scholars agree on the main principles of autonomy, beneficence, and justice for clinical ethics, with some adjustments in how these principles are applied in the research setting. However, these principles are not universally acknowledged. Some authors argue that these principles are less relevant in populations where community rather than individual values are stressed. Others argue that local development of research ethics is crucial to ensuring buy-in and avoiding bioethical imperialism [ 11 , 12 ]. Acknowledging the past abuses that took place under the guise of research, Western ethical thought now insists on voluntary consent, with special protections for traditionally vulnerable populations such as children, women, and ethnic minorities. Emergency care research, however, introduces a unique type of vulnerability in unconscious or other otherwise mentally altered patients who do not meet criteria for giving informed consent. In some Western countries like the US and the United Kingdom (UK), such patients may still be enrolled in studies through a different process called an exemption from informed consent or waiver of consent [ [13] , [14] , [15] ]. The same principle may be applied in LMICs, however, a detailed assessment of the research components necessary to guide HRECs in order to reach decisions that protect this vulnerable group from harm or unnecessary risk.

International standards

In 1964, the World Medical Association adopted the Declaration of Helsinki. This document and subsequent revisions lay out the principles of minimizing risks, informed consent, privacy, special protections for vulnerable groups, access to beneficial treatment after trial, and dissemination [ 16 ]. The first Declaration was adopted largely in response to the unethical experiments carried out by Nazi researchers during the Holocaust, in which prisoners were exposed to infectious disease, extremes of temperature, and experimental drugs without their consent, often resulting in death [ 17 ].

The Declaration is a guideline of research ethics but is not legally binding. Individual countries are responsible for implementing legislation that reflects the principles. In the United States, discovery of ongoing research abuses such as the Tuskegee syphilis study in the 1970's led to adoption of the Belmont Report [ 18 ]. The Belmont Report requires that researchers uphold three basic principles: respect for persons, beneficence, and justice. Researchers in the US must have the protocol approved by an IRB prior to enrolling subjects. IRBs are charged with operationalizing the principles outlined in the Belmont Report and subsequent regulations specified in the Common Rule [ 19 ]. Certain research may be exempted from IRB review and these typically include surveys, interviews, and research using existing specimens, records or data. The concept of “minimal risk to participants” plays a key role in allowing this exemption and should be considered when conducting research in LMIC's. “Minimal risk” is defined as that “ordinarily encountered in daily life or the performance of routine physical and psychological testing.”

These previous regulations, however, were written without consideration for Emergency Care research. Therefore in 1996, the US' Food and Drug Administration recommended procedures for enrolling patients in emergency situations into research studies through exemption of informed consent [ 20 ]. Similar procedures were adopted by the United Kingdom in 2006 [ 21 ]. This concept of “waiver of consent” in emergency care research should be considered in LMICs where contextualized processes are critical for development of sustainable emergency care systems.

Guidelines intended for global adoption often lack details required for context-specific implementation and can be slow to respond to emerging realities. Barugahare uses an analogy to jurisprudence to discuss how local HRECs can guide implementation of global ethical principles within their own contexts [ 22 ]. With that in mind, we will go through the guiding principles and discuss pitfalls in implementation.

Respect for persons

Respect for persons requires that research subjects freely participate in research after informed consent. Subjects should be counselled on the known risks of the drug or treatment being examined, the expected course of illness without intervention, and any compensation or benefit they may receive from participating. This must occur in the subjects' native language. If documents require translation from the researchers' language to the local language, the documents should be translated back to the original language and reviewed to ensure consistency with the originals. Only after the subject has shown comprehension and has had any questions answered can they be considered to have given informed consent. There is some disagreement about the need for a signature on a consent form, but researchers must treat consent as an ongoing process rather than a piece of paper. Subjects must also understand they are free to withdraw from the study at any time.

Research in the global context highlights challenges to the notion of consent. In the global north, the concept of respect for persons is often supplanted by the principle of autonomy. But many cultures outside the global north stress the importance of the family unit and communitarian values over individual decisions [ 23 ]. Community leaders and heads-of-household should be involved in the process, often before approaching individual subjects [ 24 ]. This is especially critical in emergency situations where “waiver of consent” protocols require involvement of family or communities of unconscious or otherwise incapacitated patients. Consent processes may also be challenging when approaching female subjects, who may require approval of a male head of household in addition to their own consent [ [25] , [26] , [27] ]. While 18 years is considered the age of adulthood in many Western countries, other cultures may consider younger persons to have reached maturity [ 28 , 29 ]. In one qualitative study of 15–19 year old participants in HIV research in Kenya, 50% thought parental consent should be sought, 25% felt this was not necessary, and 25% had mixed feelings [ 30 ].

Lack of education, limited health literacy, poor access to medical care, and the sense of urgency that accompanies disease outbreaks also call into question the notion of voluntary, informed consent. The Pfizer meningitis trial in Nigeria reported that 100% of patients approached were enrolled in the protocol, suggesting patients were desperate to access care [ 31 ]. All participants in a clinical trial for malaria believed procedures followed solely to meet research objectives were a required part of their individual curative treatment [ 32 ]. Some participants in an Ebola vaccine trial enrolled in hopes of accessing free healthcare for other conditions [ 33 ].

Beneficence

Beneficence requires that researchers obtain scientifically valid data with useful applications, while minimizing risks within the study protocol and protecting subjects during the trial.

Although several guidelines recommend research in LMIC focus on health conditions that contribute substantially to the local burden of disease, research objectives are set by funders and do not always meet this guideline. Research on cancer therapeutics focuses on lung and breast cancer, even when trials are performed in LMIC which have a large burden of cervical, liver and gastric cancers [ 34 ]. While some risk is unavoidable when testing new drugs, research subjects should expect benefits to accrue for their population.

Use of rigorous methodology with adequate power and appropriate control groups is essential to ethical research. Underpowered research, poorly designed studies, and falsified data will not yield valid results and are inherently unethical. The use of placebo controls has been an area of contention since early studies of maternal-fetal transmission of HIV [ 35 ]. While placebo-controlled trials are optimal from a methodological standpoint, patients should be treated with their standard local regimen if effective treatment is available. Cheah et al. provide a compelling rationale for a placebo arm in their malaria trial, as use of the placebo is equivalent to current clinical practice, thus the subjects do not incur additional risk [ 36 ]. Researchers should ensure that interventions proven successful will be sustainable in their study population [ 37 ].

Unproven interventions may be utilized during emergency and disaster situations. The World Health Organization convened a panel to help guide use of novel therapies during epidemics [ 38 ]. They stress the importance rigorous data collection to assess effectiveness and safety of such interventions, and transparency and fairness in decisions regarding access to investigational treatments.

Minimizing risk means building safety into the protocol and monitoring for adverse events throughout the trial. Adverse events may require unblinding, a report to the HREC, or cessation of the trial. Dissemination of all results, regardless of the success of the trial, is crucial to ensure future study participants are not exposed to risks of unsuccessful interventions and funding can be distributed to projects more likely to result in improved health [ 39 ].

Protection of privacy is another important principle of beneficence. Data should only be accessible to the research team. Surveys and other paper documents must be kept in a locked cabinet or drawer in a secure room. Files should be password protected. Study ID numbers should be substituted for individual identifiers. Master lists that could be used to link data back to participants should be destroyed after data is cleaned. Data must be de-identified before sharing data with anyone outside the original study team. Data-sharing is important for verification of results and avoidance of duplicate efforts, but regulations and guidelines have not kept pace with emerging technologies [ 40 , 41 ]. Privacy laws vary widely between countries, with the European Union having some of the strictest protections. Although it would seem that outside researchers would adhere to the standards they must uphold to in their own settings, this is not always the case. Medical students from the US are more likely to violate patients' privacy online during international electives than during rotations at home [ 42 ].

Justice requires that the costs and benefits of research are distributed fairly within the population. Even this statement is open to interpretation, as there are no global norms of fairness [ 43 ]. Justice is a key consideration in the research framework proposed by Pratt and Loff [ 44 ].

The global distribution of harms and benefits in research is particularly problematic in the setting of clinical trials. The cost of research is significantly lower in LMIC but there is concern that pharmaceutical companies are also benefitting from lax regulatory oversight to conduct high-risk research that would not be tolerated in the global north [ 45 ]. Millions of persons participate in clinical research each year, but the number of adverse events is difficult to determine and likely underreported [ 46 , 47 ]. Deaths in clinical trials are not distributed evenly across nations, with higher rates of morbidity and mortality in LMIC. While deaths in the global north tend to be rare and highly publicized, India had 2644 deaths during clinical trials in the years 2005–12 [ 48 ]. Laws regarding compensation for injuries sustained during research are markedly different between nations, adding another layer of disparities [ 49 ].

Compensation for participation in research is another potential pitfall. Western research ethics considers whether compensation for participation is enough to exert undue influence or coercion. Paradoxically, using this standard in LMIC research would decrease the value of compensation as smaller amounts would likely constitute a larger proportion of subjects' income [ 50 ]. Participation “gifts” of nominal value, such as soap or sugar, may carry hidden meanings in the local context and should be discussed with community leaders [ 51 ]. One proposed solution would be to consider participation as work, to be compensated according to local custom [ 52 ].

A final area of justice concerns authorship of manuscripts. There is an inherent imbalance of power when outsiders approach a community to do research. Researchers should strive to build capacity in local communities and ensure all members of the study team receive appropriate credit. The International Committee of Medical Journal Editors requires the following criteria be met to be listed as an author: contributions to study design, data acquisition, or data analysis, drafting or substantial revisions to the manuscript, final approval of submission, and agreement to be accountable for integrity of the work [ 53 ]. All persons who meet these criteria should be listed. Guest authorship has been reported as common and usually involves including superiors or subject experts that did not contribute substantially to the manuscript [ 54 ]. Some authors fear that the criteria to draft/substantially revise and approve the final document discriminates against researchers from LMIC whose native language is not commonly used for international publications [ 55 ]. Determination of authorship and order of authors may cause great angst, particularly if not done early in the process.

Emerging challenges

Data security.

Collection of genetic material, even blood samples, may jeopardize anonymity. Consensus is lacking on how best to use “big data” to improve public health while protecting individual privacy concerns.

Tips on this topic

• • Research in LMICs, contextualized to their local health systems, is necessary to ensure patients receive the most appropriate care.
• • Researchers should ensure sound methodology and data management practices in their studies.
• • Community engagement is one way of ensuring patients' values are incorporated into setting research priorities, the consent process, risk assessment, and dissemination of results.
• • HRECs have a responsibility to protect human subjects but also serve to protect researchers from allegations of improper behaviour. Ethical approval for a protocol is required before researchers approach participants and is required for publication by most journals.

Pitfalls to avoid

• • Failure to consider local norms in obtaining informed consent
• • Failure to execute the study in exact accordance with the approved study protocol and other documentation may undermine the ethical integrity of the project and violate the ethical principles of research. Any changes to approved study protocols must be reviewed and approved by the local HREC prior to adoption.
• • Inadequate procedures for confidentiality and data security

Annotated bibliography

• • Biruk [ 51 ] uses the example of soap as a gift for participation in surveys to discuss ethical compensation for participants and duties of researchers.
• • Das et al. [ 32 ] discuss participants' limited understanding of the overlap of clinical care and research in malaria studies.
• • Emanuel et al. [ 6 ] established benchmarks for ethical research in the global setting.
• • The WHO advisory panel report [ 38 ] and Ezeome and Simon [ 31 ] discuss ways of minimizing ethical pitfalls when performing research during epidemics – these articles are applicable to the discussion of experimental treatments for the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
• • Groves et al. [ 30 ] used qualitative methods to explore adolescents' views on research requirements for parental involvement in studies of HIV in youth.
• • Ochieng et al. [ 10 ] describe the development of research ethics within Uganda, starting with early regulations on protection of human subjects, through revisions to applicable statues, and training of local experts.
• • Tangwa [ 8 ] critiques the lack of inclusion of African researchers in the efforts surrounding HIV vaccine trials and the response to the Ebola outbreak of 2013–16.
• • World Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki [ 16 ] describes the principles that should guide research. Most recent version available at https://www.wma.net/policies-post/wma-declaration-of-helsinki-ethical-principles-for-medical-research-involving-human-subjects/ .

Academic Life in Emergency Medicine: Society for Academic Emergency Medicine Research Learning Series provides helpful guidance for junior researchers in many stages of starting a research project. In particular, episode 3 deals with IRB pitfalls and episode 8 discusses waivers from informed consent.

University of Oxford Global Health podcast has an interview with Dr. Phaik Yeong Cheah on the ethics of research in vulnerable populations (Oct 5, 2015).

Authors' contribution

Authors contributed as follow to the conception or design of the work; the acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of data for the work; and drafting the work or revising it critically for important intellectual content: CB contributed 50%; AAN contributed 30%; and ES and DMT contributed 10% each. All authors approved the version to be published and agreed to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Declaration of competing interest

The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

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How to Write an Ethics Paper: Guide & Ethical Essay Examples

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An ethics essay is a type of academic writing that explores ethical issues and dilemmas. Students should evaluates them in terms of moral principles and values. The purpose of an ethics essay is to examine the moral implications of a particular issue, and provide a reasoned argument in support of an ethical perspective.

Writing an essay about ethics is a tough task for most students. The process involves creating an outline to guide your arguments about a topic and planning your ideas to convince the reader of your feelings about a difficult issue. If you still need assistance putting together your thoughts in composing a good paper, you have come to the right place. We have provided a series of steps and tips to show how you can achieve success in writing. This guide will tell you how to write an ethics paper using ethical essay examples to understand every step it takes to be proficient. In case you don’t have time for writing, get in touch with our professional essay writers for hire . Our experts work hard to supply students with excellent essays.

What Is an Ethics Essay?

An ethics essay uses moral theories to build arguments on an issue. You describe a controversial problem and examine it to determine how it affects individuals or society. Ethics papers analyze arguments on both sides of a possible dilemma, focusing on right and wrong. The analysis gained can be used to solve real-life cases. Before embarking on writing an ethical essay, keep in mind that most individuals follow moral principles. From a social context perspective, these rules define how a human behaves or acts towards another. Therefore, your theme essay on ethics needs to demonstrate how a person feels about these moral principles. More specifically, your task is to show how significant that issue is and discuss if you value or discredit it.

Purpose of an Essay on Ethics

The primary purpose of an ethics essay is to initiate an argument on a moral issue using reasoning and critical evidence. Instead of providing general information about a problem, you present solid arguments about how you view the moral concern and how it affects you or society. When writing an ethical paper, you demonstrate philosophical competence, using appropriate moral perspectives and principles.

Things to Write an Essay About Ethics On

Before you start to write ethics essays, consider a topic you can easily address. In most cases, an ethical issues essay analyzes right and wrong. This includes discussing ethics and morals and how they contribute to the right behaviors. You can also talk about work ethic, code of conduct, and how employees promote or disregard the need for change. However, you can explore other areas by asking yourself what ethics mean to you. Think about how a recent game you watched with friends started a controversial argument. Or maybe a newspaper that highlighted a story you felt was misunderstood or blown out of proportion. This way, you can come up with an excellent topic that resonates with your personal ethics and beliefs.

Ethics Paper Outline

Sometimes, you will be asked to submit an outline before writing an ethics paper. Creating an outline for an ethics paper is an essential step in creating a good essay. You can use it to arrange your points and supporting evidence before writing. It also helps organize your thoughts, enabling you to fill any gaps in your ideas. The outline for an essay should contain short and numbered sentences to cover the format and outline. Each section is structured to enable you to plan your work and include all sources in writing an ethics paper. An ethics essay outline is as follows:

• Background information
• Thesis statement
• Restate thesis statement
• Summarize key points
• Final thoughts on the topic

Using this outline will improve clarity and focus throughout your writing process.

Ethical Essay Structure

Ethics essays are similar to other essays based on their format, outline, and structure. An ethical essay should have a well-defined introduction, body, and conclusion section as its structure. When planning your ideas, make sure that the introduction and conclusion are around 20 percent of the paper, leaving the rest to the body. We will take a detailed look at what each part entails and give examples that are going to help you understand them better.  Refer to our essay structure examples to find a fitting way of organizing your writing.

Ethics Paper Introduction

An ethics essay introduction gives a synopsis of your main argument. One step on how to write an introduction for an ethics paper is telling about the topic and describing its background information. This paragraph should be brief and straight to the point. It informs readers what your position is on that issue. Start with an essay hook to generate interest from your audience. It can be a question you will address or a misunderstanding that leads up to your main argument. You can also add more perspectives to be discussed; this will inform readers on what to expect in the paper.

Ethics Essay Introduction Example

You can find many ethics essay introduction examples on the internet. In this guide, we have written an excellent extract to demonstrate how it should be structured. As you read, examine how it begins with a hook and then provides background information on an issue. 

Imagine living in a world where people only lie, and honesty is becoming a scarce commodity. Indeed, modern society is facing this reality as truth and deception can no longer be separated. Technology has facilitated a quick transmission of voluminous information, whereas it's hard separating facts from opinions.

In this example, the first sentence of the introduction makes a claim or uses a question to hook the reader.

Ethics Essay Thesis Statement

An ethics paper must contain a thesis statement in the first paragraph. Learning how to write a thesis statement for an ethics paper is necessary as readers often look at it to gauge whether the essay is worth their time.

When you deviate away from the thesis, your whole paper loses meaning. In ethics essays, your thesis statement is a roadmap in writing, stressing your position on the problem and giving reasons for taking that stance. It should focus on a specific element of the issue being discussed. When writing a thesis statement, ensure that you can easily make arguments for or against its stance.

Ethical Paper Thesis Example

Look at this example of an ethics paper thesis statement and examine how well it has been written to state a position and provide reasons for doing so:

The moral implications of dishonesty are far-reaching as they undermine trust, integrity, and other foundations of society, damaging personal and professional relationships. 

The above thesis statement example is clear and concise, indicating that this paper will highlight the effects of dishonesty in society. Moreover, it focuses on aspects of personal and professional relationships.

Ethics Essay Body

The body section is the heart of an ethics paper as it presents the author's main points. In an ethical essay, each body paragraph has several elements that should explain your main idea. These include:

• A topic sentence that is precise and reiterates your stance on the issue.
• Evidence supporting it.
• Examples that illustrate your argument.
• A thorough analysis showing how the evidence and examples relate to that issue.
• A transition sentence that connects one paragraph to another with the help of essay transitions .

When you write an ethics essay, adding relevant examples strengthens your main point and makes it easy for others to understand and comprehend your argument. 

Body Paragraph for Ethics Paper Example

A good body paragraph must have a well-defined topic sentence that makes a claim and includes evidence and examples to support it. Look at part of an example of ethics essay body paragraph below and see how its idea has been developed:

Honesty is an essential component of professional integrity. In many fields, trust and credibility are crucial for professionals to build relationships and success. For example, a doctor who is dishonest about a potential side effect of a medication is not only acting unethically but also putting the health and well-being of their patients at risk. Similarly, a dishonest businessman could achieve short-term benefits but will lose their client’s trust.

Ethics Essay Conclusion

A concluding paragraph shares the summary and overview of the author's main arguments. Many students need clarification on what should be included in the essay conclusion and how best to get a reader's attention. When writing an ethics paper conclusion, consider the following:

• Restate the thesis statement to emphasize your position.
• Summarize its main points and evidence.
• Final thoughts on the issue and any other considerations.

You can also reflect on the topic or acknowledge any possible challenges or questions that have not been answered. A closing statement should present a call to action on the problem based on your position.

Sample Ethics Paper Conclusion

The conclusion paragraph restates the thesis statement and summarizes the arguments presented in that paper. The sample conclusion for an ethical essay example below demonstrates how you should write a concluding statement.  

In conclusion, the implications of dishonesty and the importance of honesty in our lives cannot be overstated. Honesty builds solid relationships, effective communication, and better decision-making. This essay has explored how dishonesty impacts people and that we should value honesty. We hope this essay will help readers assess their behavior and work towards being more honest in their lives.

In the above extract, the writer gives final thoughts on the topic, urging readers to adopt honest behavior.

How to Write an Ethics Paper?

As you learn how to write an ethics essay, it is not advised to immediately choose a topic and begin writing. When you follow this method, you will get stuck or fail to present concrete ideas. A good writer understands the importance of planning. As a fact, you should organize your work and ensure it captures key elements that shed more light on your arguments. Hence, following the essay structure and creating an outline to guide your writing process is the best approach. In the following segment, we have highlighted step-by-step techniques on how to write a good ethics paper.

1. Pick a Topic

Before writing ethical papers, brainstorm to find ideal topics that can be easily debated. For starters, make a list, then select a title that presents a moral issue that may be explained and addressed from opposing sides. Make sure you choose one that interests you. Here are a few ideas to help you search for topics:

• Review current trends affecting people.
• Think about your personal experiences.
• Study different moral theories and principles.
• Examine classical moral dilemmas.

Once you find a suitable topic and are ready, start to write your ethics essay, conduct preliminary research, and ascertain that there are enough sources to support it.

2. Conduct In-Depth Research

Once you choose a topic for your essay, the next step is gathering sufficient information about it. Conducting in-depth research entails looking through scholarly journals to find credible material. Ensure you note down all sources you found helpful to assist you on how to write your ethics paper. Use the following steps to help you conduct your research:

• Clearly state and define a problem you want to discuss.
• This will guide your research process.
• Develop keywords that match the topic.
• Begin searching from a wide perspective. This will allow you to collect more information, then narrow it down by using the identified words above.

3. Develop an Ethics Essay Outline

An outline will ease up your writing process when developing an ethic essay. As you develop a paper on ethics, jot down factual ideas that will build your paragraphs for each section. Include the following steps in your process:

• Review the topic and information gathered to write a thesis statement.
• Identify the main arguments you want to discuss and include their evidence.
• Group them into sections, each presenting a new idea that supports the thesis.
• Write an outline.
• Review and refine it.

Examples can also be included to support your main arguments. The structure should be sequential, coherent, and with a good flow from beginning to end. When you follow all steps, you can create an engaging and organized outline that will help you write a good essay.

4. Write an Ethics Essay

Once you have selected a topic, conducted research, and outlined your main points, you can begin writing an essay . Ensure you adhere to the ethics paper format you have chosen. Start an ethics paper with an overview of your topic to capture the readers' attention. Build upon your paper by avoiding ambiguous arguments and using the outline to help you write your essay on ethics. Finish the introduction paragraph with a thesis statement that explains your main position.  Expand on your thesis statement in all essay paragraphs. Each paragraph should start with a topic sentence and provide evidence plus an example to solidify your argument, strengthen the main point, and let readers see the reasoning behind your stance. Finally, conclude the essay by restating your thesis statement and summarizing all key ideas. Your conclusion should engage the reader, posing questions or urging them to reflect on the issue and how it will impact them.

5. Proofread Your Ethics Essay

Proofreading your essay is the last step as you countercheck any grammatical or structural errors in your essay. When writing your ethic paper, typical mistakes you could encounter include the following:

• Spelling errors: e.g., there, they’re, their.
• Homophone words: such as new vs. knew.
• Inconsistencies: like mixing British and American words, e.g., color vs. color.
• Formatting issues: e.g., double spacing, different font types.

While proofreading your ethical issue essay, read it aloud to detect lexical errors or ambiguous phrases that distort its meaning. Verify your information and ensure it is relevant and up-to-date. You can ask your fellow student to read the essay and give feedback on its structure and quality.

Ethics Essay Examples

Writing an essay is challenging without the right steps. There are so many ethics paper examples on the internet, however, we have provided a list of free ethics essay examples below that are well-structured and have a solid argument to help you write your paper. Click on them and see how each writing step has been integrated. Ethics essay example 1

Ethics essay example 2

Ethics essay example 3

Ethics essay example 4

College ethics essay example 5

Ethics Essay Writing Tips

When writing papers on ethics, here are several tips to help you complete an excellent essay:

• Choose a narrow topic and avoid broad subjects, as it is easy to cover the topic in detail.
• Ensure you have background information. A good understanding of a topic can make it easy to apply all necessary moral theories and principles in writing your paper.
• State your position clearly. It is important to be sure about your stance as it will allow you to draft your arguments accordingly.
• When writing ethics essays, be mindful of your audience. Provide arguments that they can understand.
• Integrate solid examples into your essay. Morality can be hard to understand; therefore, using them will help a reader grasp these concepts.

Bottom Line on Writing an Ethics Paper

Creating this essay is a common exercise in academics that allows students to build critical skills. When you begin writing, state your stance on an issue and provide arguments to support your position. This guide gives information on how to write an ethics essay as well as examples of ethics papers. Remember to follow these points in your writing:

• Create an outline highlighting your main points.
• Write an effective introduction and provide background information on an issue.
• Include a thesis statement.
• Develop concrete arguments and their counterarguments, and use examples.
• Sum up all your key points in your conclusion and restate your thesis statement.

Contact our academic writing platform and have your challenge solved. Here, you can order essays and papers on any topic and enjoy top quality. 

Daniel Howard is an Essay Writing guru. He helps students create essays that will strike a chord with the readers.

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Research Ethics & Ethical Considerations

A Plain-Language Explainer With Examples

By: Derek Jansen (MBA) | Reviewers: Dr Eunice Rautenbach | May 2024

Research ethics are one of those “ unsexy but essential ” subjects that you need to fully understand (and apply) to conquer your dissertation, thesis or research paper. In this post, we’ll unpack research ethics using plain language and loads of examples .

Overview: Research Ethics 101

• What are research ethics?
• Why should you care?
• Research ethics principles
• Respect for persons
• Beneficence
• Objectivity
• Key takeaways

What (exactly) are research ethics?

At the simplest level, research ethics are a set of principles that ensure that your study is conducted responsibly, safely, and with integrity. More specifically, research ethics help protect the rights and welfare of your research participants, while also ensuring the credibility of your research findings.

Research ethics are critically important for a number of reasons:

Firstly, they’re a complete non-negotiable when it comes to getting your research proposal approved. Pretty much all universities will have a set of ethical criteria that student projects need to adhere to – and these are typically very strictly enforced. So, if your proposed study doesn’t tick the necessary ethical boxes, it won’t be approved .

Beyond the practical aspect of approval, research ethics are essential as they ensure that your study’s participants (whether human or animal) are properly protected . In turn, this fosters trust between you and your participants – as well as trust between researchers and the public more generally. As you can probably imagine, it wouldn’t be good if the general public had a negative perception of researchers!

Last but not least, research ethics help ensure that your study’s results are valid and reliable . In other words, that you measured the thing you intended to measure – and that other researchers can repeat your study. If you’re not familiar with the concepts of reliability and validity , we’ve got a straightforward explainer video covering that below.

The Core Principles

In practical terms, each university or institution will have its own ethics policy – so, what exactly constitutes “ethical research” will vary somewhat between institutions and countries. Nevertheless, there are a handful of core principles that shape ethics policies. These principles include:

Let’s unpack each of these to make them a little more tangible.

Ethics Principle 1: Respect for persons

As the name suggests, this principle is all about ensuring that your participants are treated fairly and respectfully . In practical terms, this means informed consent – in other words, participants should be fully informed about the nature of the research, as well as any potential risks. Additionally, they should be able to withdraw from the study at any time. This is especially important when you’re dealing with vulnerable populations – for example, children, the elderly or people with cognitive disabilities.

Another dimension of the “respect for persons” principle is confidentiality and data protection . In other words, your participants’ personal information should be kept strictly confidential and secure at all times. Depending on the specifics of your project, this might also involve anonymising or masking people’s identities. As mentioned earlier, the exact requirements will vary between universities, so be sure to thoroughly review your institution’s ethics policy before you start designing your project.

Need a helping hand?

Ethics Principle 2: Beneficence

This principle is a little more opaque, but in simple terms beneficence means that you, as the researcher, should aim to maximise the benefits of your work, while minimising any potential harm to your participants.

In practical terms, benefits could include advancing knowledge, improving health outcomes, or providing educational value. Conversely, potential harms could include:

• Physical harm from accidents or injuries
• Psychological harm, such as stress or embarrassment
• Social harm, such as stigmatisation or loss of reputation
• Economic harm – in other words, financial costs or lost income

Simply put, the beneficence principle means that researchers must always try to identify potential risks and take suitable measures to reduce or eliminate them.

Ethics Principle 3: Objectivity

As you can probably guess, this principle is all about attempting to minimise research bias to the greatest degree possible. In other words, you’ll need to reduce subjectivity and increase objectivity wherever possible.

In practical terms, this principle has the largest impact on the methodology of your study – specifically the data collection and data analysis aspects. For example, you’ll need to ensure that the selection of your participants (in other words, your sampling strategy ) is aligned with your research aims – and that your sample isn’t skewed in a way that supports your presuppositions.

If you’re keen to learn more about research bias and the various ways in which you could unintentionally skew your results, check out the video below.

Ethics Principle 4: Integrity

Again, no surprises here; this principle is all about producing “honest work” . It goes without saying that researchers should always conduct their work honestly and transparently, report their findings accurately, and disclose any potential conflicts of interest upfront.

This is all pretty obvious, but another aspect of the integrity principle that’s sometimes overlooked is respect for intellectual property . In practical terms, this means you need to honour any patents, copyrights, or other forms of intellectual property that you utilise while undertaking your research. Along the same vein, you shouldn’t use any unpublished data, methods, or results without explicit, written permission from the respective owner.

Linked to all of this is the broader issue of plagiarism . Needless to say, if you’re drawing on someone else’s published work, be sure to cite your sources, in the correct format. To make life easier, use a reference manager such as Mendeley or Zotero to ensure that your citations and reference list are perfectly polished.

FAQs: Research Ethics

Research ethics & ethical considertation, what is informed consent.

Informed consent simply means providing your potential participants with all necessary information about the study. This should include information regarding the study’s purpose, procedures, risks, and benefits. This information allows your potential participants to make a voluntary and informed decision about whether to participate.

How should I obtain consent from non-English speaking participants?

What about animals.

When conducting research with animals, ensure you adhere to ethical guidelines for the humane treatment of animals. Again, the exact requirements here will vary between institutions, but typically include minimising pain and distress, using alternatives where possible, and obtaining approval from an animal care and use committee.

What is the role of the ERB or IRB?

An ethics review board (ERB) or institutional review board (IRB) evaluates research proposals to ensure they meet ethical standards. The board reviews study designs, consent forms, and data handling procedures, to protect participants’ welfare and rights.

How can I obtain ethical approval for my project?

This varies between universities, but you will typically need to submit a detailed research proposal to your institution’s ethics committee. This proposal should include your research objectives, methods, and how you plan to address ethical considerations like informed consent, confidentiality, and risk minimisation. You can learn more about how to write a proposal here .

How do I ensure ethical collaboration when working with colleagues?

Collaborative research should be conducted with mutual respect and clear agreements on roles, contributions, and publication credits. Open communication is key to preventing conflicts and misunderstandings. Also, be sure to check whether your university has any specific requirements with regards to collaborative efforts and division of labour. 

How should I address ethical concerns relating to my funding source?

Key takeaways: research ethics 101.

Here’s a quick recap of the key points we’ve covered:

• Research ethics are a set of principles that ensure that your study is conducted responsibly.
• It’s essential that you design your study around these principles, or it simply won’t get approved.
• The four ethics principles we looked at are: respect for persons, beneficence, objectivity and integrity

As mentioned, the exact requirements will vary slightly depending on the institution and country, so be sure to thoroughly review your university’s research ethics policy before you start developing your study.

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This post was based on one of our popular Research Bootcamps . If you're working on a research project, you'll definitely want to check this out ...

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Ethical Research Paper Topics

Table of contents

• 1 Types of Ethics
• 2 How to Select the Best Ethical Research Paper Topics?
• 3 Ethical Issues Topics
• 4 Ethical Conflicts Topics
• 5 Medical Ethics Topics
• 6 Environmental Ethics Topics
• 7 Criminal Justice Ethics Topics to Write About
• 8 Top 10 Ethics Topics to Debate
• 9 Social Responsibility Ethics Topics
• 10 Business Ethics Research Paper Topics
• 11 Sports Ethics Topics
• 12.1 First Tip
• 12.2 Second Tip
• 12.3 Third Tip
• 12.4 Fourth Tip
• 12.5 Fifth Tip
• 13 Conclusion

Ethical research paper topics cover various human, animal, and environmental rights issues. Research ethics aim to protect the well-being and rights of participants and ensure that research is conducted responsibly and accountable. In this context, ethical research paper topics can be crucial to academic inquiry and public debate.

In this text, you’ll find out about:

• Choosing a topic that aligns with personal interests  and passions can make it easier to delve deeper into any moral or immoral problems. All this contributes to the ongoing conversation around ethics and its impact on society.
• Tips for choosing ethical research paper topics include selecting a matter of personal interest. It’s also important to note relevance to society, ethical problems in different fields, appropriate scope and depth, and thorough research and analysis.
• Examples of ethical research paper topics include end-of-life issues, animal experimentation, ethics of gay marriage, ethical hacking, ethical leadership, ethical philosophy, and ethical concerns.

Types of Ethics

Several areas can be explored when choosing a topic for an ethical research paper. But if you feel overwhelmed, you can buy APA research paper to get help with your assignment. People have different areas of interest when it comes to ethics. Some people have an interest in medical ethics. It talks about things like assisted suicide, organ donation, and the use of medical technology. Other people like business ethics, which looks at how companies can be responsible and honest in their marketing. Environmental ethics is another important area. It covers topics like climate change, animal rights, and sustainability. Whatever area you choose, picking something you care about is important.

How to Select the Best Ethical Research Paper Topics?

If you are a student looking to choose the best ethical research paper topic, it cannot be easy to decide. Remember that, if stuck, buying college research papers can help you get inspired. Here are some other tips that you can follow:

• Personal Interest: It’s important to ensure your chosen topic interests you. By doing so, you will keep yourself motivated throughout the process of writing. It will help you produce a paper that is not only well-written but also engaging.
• Relevance to Society: Note to choose a topic that not only aligns with your values but is also relevant to society.
• Ethical Issues in Different Fields: While choosing a topic, consider topics related to different fields, such as teaching ethics, global warming ethics, workplace ethics, nursing ethics, virtue ethics, religious ethics, and biomedical ethics topics.
• Scope and Depth: This is a point that students often overlook; it’s important to choose a topic that is neither too narrow nor too broad. Ensure you can draft a meaningful conclusion in a research paper and that the topic is relevant enough. This will ensure that you have enough information to cover without feeling overwhelmed.
• Thorough Research and Analysis: After shortlisting your topic, conduct thorough research and analysis. This encompasses gathering relevant information and credible sources.

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Ethical Issues Topics

Ethical issues are prevalent and can arise in various fields and contexts. Understanding these issues’ impact is crucial for promoting ethical behavior and decision-making. Here are some thought-provoking ethics essay topics that can spark discussion:

• End of Life
• Animal Experimentation
• Ethics of Gay – Scientific and Ethical Criticism
• The Psychology Behind the Ethical Dilemma Situations in Law Enforcement
• The Value and Ownership of Human Tissue
• Weighing the Benefits against the Ethical Costs of the Sale of Construction Equipment in Africa
• The Use of Performance-Enhancing Drugs
• Blind Obedience
• Plagiarism Issues for Higher Education
• Resolving Ethical Business Challenges

Ethical Conflicts Topics

An ethical dilemma arises when individuals or groups are faced with a decision requiring them to weigh conflicting values per the ethical rules. These conflicts can be challenging to navigate and require careful consideration and analysis. Here are some ethical conflicts topics that can help you explore the ethical implications.

• The Picture of Dorian Gray Conflict
• Organizational Structure and Corporate Social Responsibility
• The Ethical Dilemma in Our Society
• The Psychology Behind the Law Enforcement
• Product Safety
• The Use of Deception
• Managerial Ethics & Social Responsibility
• Ethical Consumerism
• Business Ethics in the Government
• Sexual Harassment: Why Is it Wrong

Medical Ethics Topics

Medical ethics is a required field that examines healthcare professionals’ and patients’ ethical dilemmas. With the advancement of medical technology and the changing landscape of healthcare, it is important to stay up-to-date on issues such as stem cell research. Here are some medical ethics topics that can help you understand the ethical responsibilities in healthcare.

• Euthanasia Pros and Cons
• Parents who want their Babies to be Deaf Through Genetic Modification and the Role of Genetic Counseling
• Legalizing Physician-Assisted Suicide to Suffering/Terminally Ill Patients
• Implanting the VeriChip Inside the Human Body
• Informed Consent of Human Research
• Abortion Issue, Ethics, and Philosophy
• Medical Law & Ethics
• The Ethics of the Gay Gene
• Childhood Obesity: Global Epidemic and Ethical Concerns
• Medical Marijuana

Environmental Ethics Topics

Environmental ethics is a branch of philosophy that explores the ethical responsibility of human interactions with the natural world and environmental protection. Examining these issues and our moral obligation through an ethical lens is important. Here are some environmental and ethical topics that can help you understand and explore a human’s moral duties:

• Saving an Endangered Species
• Benefits of Adopting a Pet from an Animal Shelter
• Organic Foods: a Better Option for Humans and the Environment
• Environmental Racism against Native American
• Positive Effect of Veganism on the Environment
• Five Ways Immigration–Driven Population Growth Impacts Our Environment
• Overpopulation Effects on Health and the Environment
• Deforestation of Rainforests and its Effects on the Environment
• Are Self-driving Cars Good for the People, the Environment, and the Future?
• Fracking: an Environmental and Political Issue

Criminal Justice Ethics Topics to Write About

Criminal justice ethics is a field that examines the ethical dilemmas and challenges within the justice system. From the police force to the courts and prisons, many complex ethical principles must be considered. Here are some topics that can help you explore:

• Why is it Necessary to Teach Ethics in Criminal Justice Law Business and Medical
• Sexual Assault and Harassment in the Army
• Corporal Punishment as the Main Cause Behind Serial Killers
• Primary Justice Models in the American Legal System
• The Racial Injustice Existed in our Judicial System
• Winds of Change in America’s Criminal Justice System
• Sides Involved in Police Brutality
• Racial Profiling Within the Criminal Justice System
• Gender Equality and Crime
• Domestic Terrorism in the Land of the Free

Top 10 Ethics Topics to Debate

Debating ethical problems is an effective way to explore different perspectives on complex ethical questions and moral issues. From personal values to societal norms, many ethical norms and ethical obligations can spark debates. Here are the top 10 topics worth debating and ethical analysis for your ethics essay:

• Christian Ethics
• Mandatory Organ Donation: Ethical or Unethical
• Free Will and Ethics in the Catholic Church
• Social and Ethical Implications of GMOs
• The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism
• Using Animals for Medical Testing is both Ethical and Essential?
• Taboos in Religion, Reincarnation, and Other Beliefs
• Single Gender Schools: a Better Learning Environment?
• Modern Society Limits
• Abortion Issue, Ethics, And Philosophy

Social Responsibility Ethics Topics

Moral problems and moral Responsibility in society mean that everyone has a duty. They should act in the best interests of society and the environment. This concept has become increasingly important in modern business and society. This is because individuals and companies are being held accountable for poor ethical values. Here are some interesting ethics topics:

• Different Perspectives on the Concept of Corporate Social Responsibility
• Research Related to Responsibility to Protect and the Role of Major Powers
• What is Responsibility, and why is it important
• The Importance of Respect
• Value transmission in Multinational Corporations
• Freedom and Responsibility in Sartre
• Adolf Hitler and Responsibility for the Holocaust
• Understanding of Responsibility for Social and Economic Justice
• The Global Responsibility for the Refugee Crisis
• A Comprehensive Prison Reform to Help Reduce the Number of Inmates Detained in Prison

Business Ethics Research Paper Topics

Business ethics is the study of ethical principles and moral values in business. With the increasing focus on sustainability and corporate social responsibility, the importance of business ethics has increased. Here are some of the top business ethics topics that can help you analyze and understand the ethical dilemma topics in business:

• A Review of Business Ethics in Chase
• Business Ethics in Negotiations
• Stability of Business Ethics in Organizations
• Business Ethics Discussion at Walmart INC
• Adherence to Generally Accepted Concepts of Business Ethics
• Legal Aspects of Business Ethics
• Business Ethics and Social Responsibility
• Review on Businesses Without Values and Ethics
• The Relevancy of Ethics for Business Decisions
• Ethics and the Business Professional

Tech Ethical Problems Research Topics

The advancement of technology and the growth of tech companies has brought about many ethical challenges. Many ethical theories need to be addressed. From privacy concerns to using artificial intelligence, use of ethics boards, and computer crimes, it is important to examine these issues from an ethical standpoint. Here are some tech ethics paper topics for you:

• Policies, Ethics, and Promises: Improving Techfite’s Reputation and Morale
• Education System and Educational Technologies
• Steve Jobs and the Technological Revolution
• An Issue of Social Media and Cyber Crimes
• AI as the Future of Technology and a Big Asset for IBM
• The Impact of Technology on our Daily Lives: Advancements and Challenges
• Cybercrimes: an Unprecedented Threat to the Society
• Is Technology Bringing Us Closer to the World of Big Brother
• Home Depot’s Technological Solution to Discrimination in the Workplace
• Influence of Technologies on People

Sports Ethics Topics

Sports ethics is a field that explores the moral and ethical dimensions of sports and athletic competition. The topics can be related to an athlete’s responsibility of ethics in conducting professional sports events. Here are some sports ethics research paper topics that can help you explore:

• Inequality of Pay in Sports
• Should Sports Betting Be Legal Everywhere
• Compensation of College Athletes
• Gender And Sexuality In Sport In the 21st Century
• Wheelchair Basketball Game While Disabled
• Gender Inequality In Athletic Sports
• College And African American Male: Basketball Athletes
• Gender Wage Gap Within Sports
• The Way People View Women In Sports
• The International Olympic Committee (IOC) And Its Impact On Women In Sports

Tips for Choosing a Good Ethics Research Paper Topic

Choosing a good topic is important, as it will impact the direction of your research and the quality of your paper. Here are some tips to help you choose a good moral ethics topic for your academic writing.

Choose a topic that interests you. Selecting a topic you are passionate about is important, as it will keep you motivated throughout the research and writing process. Consider your experiences, interests, or current events that spark your curiosity.

Narrow down your focus. Ethics is a broad field, and it can be overwhelming to tackle large ethical topics. Instead, focus on a specific aspect or issue within the field of ethics. This will allow you to produce a more comprehensive paper.

Consider the relevance and significance of the topic. Look for topics relevant to contemporary society or currently being debated. You can also consider issues that have not yet received much attention in research. Good ethical research papers help you explore a moral and immoral problem.

Ensure that there is enough information available on the topic. Make sure that your paper’s format follows the guidelines; you can check how to cite an article to ensure that everything is on-point. Before you decide on a topic, conduct a preliminary search to ensure enough credible sources available on the subject matter.

Choose a topic that aligns with your research goals and objectives. Your research paper should have a clear purpose and intent. Thus, select a topic to enable you to achieve those goals. Also, note that the conclusion in research papers must be solid and comprehensive. Finally, it is important to ensure that the case aligns with the guidelines and requirements of your course.

To sum up, picking a topic for your ethics research paper can be difficult, but there are tips in this article that can help. Try looking into various fields. These include medical ethics, friendship ethics, pregnancy ethics, genetic engineering research, capital punishment, racial conflicts, etc. You can encourage critical thinking by examining ethical issues like these. You can also start conversations and make a big difference in the ongoing discussions about ethics and how it affects society.

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• Knowledge Base
• Methodology
• Ethical Considerations in Research | Types & Examples

Ethical Considerations in Research | Types & Examples

Published on 7 May 2022 by Pritha Bhandari . Revised on 6 July 2024.

Ethical considerations in research are a set of principles that guide your research designs and practices. Scientists and researchers must always adhere to a certain code of conduct when collecting data from people.

The goals of human research often include understanding real-life phenomena, studying effective treatments, investigating behaviours, and improving lives in other ways. What you decide to research and how you conduct that research involve key ethical considerations.

These considerations work to:

• Protect the rights of research participants
• Enhance research validity
• Maintain scientific integrity

Table of contents

Why do research ethics matter, getting ethical approval for your study, types of ethical issues, voluntary participation, informed consent, confidentiality, potential for harm, results communication, examples of ethical failures, frequently asked questions about research ethics.

Research ethics matter for scientific integrity, human rights and dignity, and collaboration between science and society. These principles make sure that participation in studies is voluntary, informed, and safe for research subjects.

You’ll balance pursuing important research aims with using ethical research methods and procedures. It’s always necessary to prevent permanent or excessive harm to participants, whether inadvertent or not.

Defying research ethics will also lower the credibility of your research because it’s hard for others to trust your data if your methods are morally questionable.

Even if a research idea is valuable to society, it doesn’t justify violating the human rights or dignity of your study participants.

Prevent plagiarism, run a free check.

Before you start any study involving data collection with people, you’ll submit your research proposal to an institutional review board (IRB) .

An IRB is a committee that checks whether your research aims and research design are ethically acceptable and follow your institution’s code of conduct. They check that your research materials and procedures are up to code.

If successful, you’ll receive IRB approval, and you can begin collecting data according to the approved procedures. If you want to make any changes to your procedures or materials, you’ll need to submit a modification application to the IRB for approval.

If unsuccessful, you may be asked to re-submit with modifications or your research proposal may receive a rejection. To get IRB approval, it’s important to explicitly note how you’ll tackle each of the ethical issues that may arise in your study.

There are several ethical issues you should always pay attention to in your research design, and these issues can overlap with each other.

You’ll usually outline ways you’ll deal with each issue in your research proposal if you plan to collect data from participants.

Voluntary participation means that all research subjects are free to choose to participate without any pressure or coercion.

All participants are able to withdraw from, or leave, the study at any point without feeling an obligation to continue. Your participants don’t need to provide a reason for leaving the study.

It’s important to make it clear to participants that there are no negative consequences or repercussions to their refusal to participate. After all, they’re taking the time to help you in the research process, so you should respect their decisions without trying to change their minds.

Voluntary participation is an ethical principle protected by international law and many scientific codes of conduct.

Take special care to ensure there’s no pressure on participants when you’re working with vulnerable groups of people who may find it hard to stop the study even when they want to.

Informed consent refers to a situation in which all potential participants receive and understand all the information they need to decide whether they want to participate. This includes information about the study’s benefits, risks, funding, and institutional approval.

• What the study is about
• The risks and benefits of taking part
• How long the study will take
• Your supervisor’s contact information and the institution’s approval number

Usually, you’ll provide participants with a text for them to read and ask them if they have any questions. If they agree to participate, they can sign or initial the consent form. Note that this may not be sufficient for informed consent when you work with particularly vulnerable groups of people.

If you’re collecting data from people with low literacy, make sure to verbally explain the consent form to them before they agree to participate.

For participants with very limited English proficiency, you should always translate the study materials or work with an interpreter so they have all the information in their first language.

In research with children, you’ll often need informed permission for their participation from their parents or guardians. Although children cannot give informed consent, it’s best to also ask for their assent (agreement) to participate, depending on their age and maturity level.

Anonymity means that you don’t know who the participants are and you can’t link any individual participant to their data.

You can only guarantee anonymity by not collecting any personally identifying information – for example, names, phone numbers, email addresses, IP addresses, physical characteristics, photos, and videos.

In many cases, it may be impossible to truly anonymise data collection. For example, data collected in person or by phone cannot be considered fully anonymous because some personal identifiers (demographic information or phone numbers) are impossible to hide.

You’ll also need to collect some identifying information if you give your participants the option to withdraw their data at a later stage.

Data pseudonymisation is an alternative method where you replace identifying information about participants with pseudonymous, or fake, identifiers. The data can still be linked to participants, but it’s harder to do so because you separate personal information from the study data.

Confidentiality means that you know who the participants are, but you remove all identifying information from your report.

All participants have a right to privacy, so you should protect their personal data for as long as you store or use it. Even when you can’t collect data anonymously, you should secure confidentiality whenever you can.

Some research designs aren’t conducive to confidentiality, but it’s important to make all attempts and inform participants of the risks involved.

As a researcher, you have to consider all possible sources of harm to participants. Harm can come in many different forms.

• Psychological harm: Sensitive questions or tasks may trigger negative emotions such as shame or anxiety.
• Social harm: Participation can involve social risks, public embarrassment, or stigma.
• Physical harm: Pain or injury can result from the study procedures.
• Legal harm: Reporting sensitive data could lead to legal risks or a breach of privacy.

It’s best to consider every possible source of harm in your study, as well as concrete ways to mitigate them. Involve your supervisor to discuss steps for harm reduction.

Make sure to disclose all possible risks of harm to participants before the study to get informed consent. If there is a risk of harm, prepare to provide participants with resources, counselling, or medical services if needed.

Some of these questions may bring up negative emotions, so you inform participants about the sensitive nature of the survey and assure them that their responses will be confidential.

The way you communicate your research results can sometimes involve ethical issues. Good science communication is honest, reliable, and credible. It’s best to make your results as transparent as possible.

Take steps to actively avoid plagiarism and research misconduct wherever possible.

Plagiarism means submitting others’ works as your own. Although it can be unintentional, copying someone else’s work without proper credit amounts to stealing. It’s an ethical problem in research communication because you may benefit by harming other researchers.

Self-plagiarism is when you republish or re-submit parts of your own papers or reports without properly citing your original work.

This is problematic because you may benefit from presenting your ideas as new and original even though they’ve already been published elsewhere in the past. You may also be infringing on your previous publisher’s copyright, violating an ethical code, or wasting time and resources by doing so.

In extreme cases of self-plagiarism, entire datasets or papers are sometimes duplicated. These are major ethical violations because they can skew research findings if taken as original data.

You notice that two published studies have similar characteristics even though they are from different years. Their sample sizes, locations, treatments, and results are highly similar, and the studies share one author in common.

Research misconduct

Research misconduct means making up or falsifying data, manipulating data analyses, or misrepresenting results in research reports. It’s a form of academic fraud.

These actions are committed intentionally and can have serious consequences; research misconduct is not a simple mistake or a point of disagreement about data analyses.

Research misconduct is a serious ethical issue because it can undermine scientific integrity and institutional credibility. It leads to a waste of funding and resources that could have been used for alternative research.

Later investigations revealed that they fabricated and manipulated their data to show a nonexistent link between vaccines and autism. Wakefield also neglected to disclose important conflicts of interest, and his medical license was taken away.

This fraudulent work sparked vaccine hesitancy among parents and caregivers. The rate of MMR vaccinations in children fell sharply, and measles outbreaks became more common due to a lack of herd immunity.

Research scandals with ethical failures are littered throughout history, but some took place not that long ago.

Some scientists in positions of power have historically mistreated or even abused research participants to investigate research problems at any cost. These participants were prisoners, under their care, or otherwise trusted them to treat them with dignity.

To demonstrate the importance of research ethics, we’ll briefly review two research studies that violated human rights in modern history.

These experiments were inhumane and resulted in trauma, permanent disabilities, or death in many cases.

After some Nazi doctors were put on trial for their crimes, the Nuremberg Code of research ethics for human experimentation was developed in 1947 to establish a new standard for human experimentation in medical research.

In reality, the actual goal was to study the effects of the disease when left untreated, and the researchers never informed participants about their diagnoses or the research aims.

Although participants experienced severe health problems, including blindness and other complications, the researchers only pretended to provide medical care.

When treatment became possible in 1943, 11 years after the study began, none of the participants were offered it, despite their health conditions and high risk of death.

Ethical failures like these resulted in severe harm to participants, wasted resources, and lower trust in science and scientists. This is why all research institutions have strict ethical guidelines for performing research.

Ethical considerations in research are a set of principles that guide your research designs and practices. These principles include voluntary participation, informed consent, anonymity, confidentiality, potential for harm, and results communication.

Scientists and researchers must always adhere to a certain code of conduct when collecting data from others .

These considerations protect the rights of research participants, enhance research validity , and maintain scientific integrity.

Research ethics matter for scientific integrity, human rights and dignity, and collaboration between science and society. These principles make sure that participation in studies is voluntary, informed, and safe.

Anonymity means you don’t know who the participants are, while confidentiality means you know who they are but remove identifying information from your research report. Both are important ethical considerations .

You can only guarantee anonymity by not collecting any personally identifying information – for example, names, phone numbers, email addresses, IP addresses, physical characteristics, photos, or videos.

You can keep data confidential by using aggregate information in your research report, so that you only refer to groups of participants rather than individuals.

These actions are committed intentionally and can have serious consequences; research misconduct is not a simple mistake or a point of disagreement but a serious ethical failure.

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Formidable Ethical Research Paper Topics For You!

Students in every course highly seek ethical research paper topics. Why may you ask? It is because every class, or rather, every career requires a particular set of ethical standards.

However, coming across some easy ethical research paper topics may not be that easy after all. Lucky for you, this splendid and reputable post will solve that in a moment.

Before that, how do you write an ethical research paper?

How To Write an Ethical Research Paper (Simply)

The following quick guidelines will give you an overview of how such a paper resembles and what you should do.

• Choose a captivating topic on ethics
• Formulate an outline
• Start writing with a hook introduction
• Proceed on with a descriptive body
• Finish with a momentous conclusion
• Proofread the final copy

Nothing more or less of that, and you will have your perfect ethical research paper. In this post, we will show some great moral issue research paper topics that you can choose from later.

Stay with me now as we explore these great ideas together. Remember to remain hawk-eyed lest you miss out on this once in a lifetime opportunity.

Prerequisite Steps to Choosing a Topic for an Ethics Research Paper

Before arriving at your topic, the following ideas will be useful:

• Have a look at the available materials
• Do critical thinking on the possible ideas
• Choose one out of the many

It is vital to ensure that your topic is original to avoid running into plagiarism claims. Furthermore, a brief problem will attract readers at first sight. The word length of the topic matters. Very great topics are a huge turn off to most readers; therefore, keep it short and to the point.

50 Ethical Issues Topics for a Research Paper

We shall tackle them according to subcategories so that you do not get confused along the way. Here we go then.

Ethical Hacking Research Paper Topics

• Goals of security in ethical hacking
• World’s most significant data breaches
• Viruses and malware to watch out for in 2023
• Assessing an organization’s vulnerability to cyber attacks
• How much time should an organization perform a backup every day?
• A case study of the qualitative risk assessment methods
• Disadvantages of black-box testing
• Does ethical hacking exist?
• How did ethical hacking come to be?
• Ethical hacking: Is it worth it?

Ethical Leadership Research Paper Topics

• Ethical leadership: The barriers to successful leadership
• The place of moral leadership in corrupt countries
• Rethinking ethical leadership in the 21st century
• Impact of Leadership courses on ethical leading
• How a teacher’s ethical behavior impacts students
• Is ethical leadership practiced in universities?
• Ethical leadership and employee relationships
• A case study of companies practicing ethical leadership and their performance
• Leadership lessons from Nelson Mandela: A case study
• A review of the relationship between moral and relational leadership

Ethical Egoism Research Paper Topics

• A comparison between ethical Egoism versus virtue ethics
• Ethical Egoism: A philosophical position
• Crime and Ethical Egoism
• Contrast between Ethical Egoism and Psychological Egoism
• Impact of ethical Egoism in business
• Thoughtful commentary on ethical Egoism
• Ethics and morality compared
• What is Ethical Egoism and What it Is Not
• A study of ethical egoism theories
• Contribution of a song to ethical egoism theory

Controversial Ethical Topics for Research Paper

• Is plastic surgery ethical?
• The impact of capital punishment on primary human rights
• Why genetic cloning is not to be pursued in the future
• Is abortion legal or illegal?
• Is human trafficking justified in any law?
• How safe is animal testing for humans?
• Is genetic cloning interfering with Mother Nature?
• Impact of ethnic adoption on a child’s development
• Are pills doing us more harm than good?
• Is a person justified to take his or her life?

Interesting Ethical Issues Topics for Research Paper

• What is the ethical impact of organ donation?
• The view of Catholicism on homosexuality
• Should we help strangers anywhere whenever we meet them?
• Should there be rich and poor people in the same country?
• Should newspapers and televisions show pictures of caskets?
• Should people leave their contact information at entrances?
• Who is responsible for the moral ethics of children: Parents or teachers?
• Should you report a close family friend involved in crime?
• Are politicians free to make campaigns in church?
• Is assisted suicide not the same as murder?

Ethics focuses on the shades of gray rather than black and white. Students should choose a research topic bearing in mind the implications carefully. The language used in an ethical research paper should also be prudent enough to prevent lawsuits.

Ethics Research Topics Are Here!

Ethical issues are all around us, and we cannot be ignorant of them. However, good ethical topics for a research paper require a keen eye on the student’s part. Haphazardness is not entertained in such an essay as it would amount to gross misconduct.

In case you are stranded with your ethical essay assignment, you could use a hand from our professional writing help services today.

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Ethical considerations in research: Best practices and examples

To conduct responsible research, you’ve got to think about ethics. They protect participants’ rights and their well-being - and they ensure your findings are valid and reliable. This isn’t just a box for you to tick. It’s a crucial consideration that can make all the difference to the outcome of your research.

In this article, we'll explore the meaning and importance of research ethics in today's research landscape. You'll learn best practices to conduct ethical and impactful research.

Examples of ethical considerations in research

As a researcher, you're responsible for ethical research alongside your organization. Fulfilling ethical guidelines is critical. Organizations must ensure employees follow best practices to protect participants' rights and well-being.

Keep these things in mind when it comes to ethical considerations in research:

Voluntary participation

Voluntary participation is key. Nobody should feel like they're being forced to participate or pressured into doing anything they don't want to. That means giving people a choice and the ability to opt out at any time, even if they've already agreed to take part in the study.

Informed consent

Informed consent isn't just an ethical consideration. It's a legal requirement as well. Participants must fully understand what they're agreeing to, including potential risks and benefits.

The best way to go about this is by using a consent form. Make sure you include:

• A brief description of the study and research methods.
• The potential benefits and risks of participating.
• The length of the study.
• Contact information for the researcher and/or sponsor.
• Reiteration of the participant’s right to withdraw from the research project at any time without penalty.

Anonymity means that participants aren't identifiable in any way. This includes:

• Email address
• Photographs
• Video footage

You need a way to anonymize research data so that it can't be traced back to individual participants. This may involve creating a new digital ID for participants that can’t be linked back to their original identity using numerical codes.

Confidentiality

Information gathered during a study must be kept confidential. Confidentiality helps to protect the privacy of research participants. It also ensures that their information isn't disclosed to unauthorized individuals.

Some ways to ensure confidentiality include:

• Using a secure server to store data.
• Removing identifying information from databases that contain sensitive data.
• Using a third-party company to process and manage research participant data.
• Not keeping participant records for longer than necessary.
• Avoiding discussion of research findings in public forums.

Potential for harm

​​The potential for harm is a crucial factor in deciding whether a research study should proceed. It can manifest in various forms, such as:

• Psychological harm
• Social harm
• Physical harm

Conduct an ethical review to identify possible harms. Be prepared to explain how you’ll minimize these harms and what support is available in case they do happen.

Fair payment

One of the most crucial aspects of setting up a research study is deciding on fair compensation for your participants. Underpayment is a common ethical issue that shouldn't be overlooked. Properly rewarding participants' time is critical for boosting engagement and obtaining high-quality data. While Prolific requires a minimum payment of £6.00 / $8.00 per hour, there are other factors you need to consider when deciding on a fair payment.

First, check your institution's reimbursement guidelines to see if they already have a minimum or maximum hourly rate. You can also use the national minimum wage as a reference point.

Next, think about the amount of work you're asking participants to do. The level of effort required for a task, such as producing a video recording versus a short survey, should correspond with the reward offered.

You also need to consider the population you're targeting. To attract research subjects with specific characteristics or high-paying jobs, you may need to offer more as an incentive.

We recommend a minimum payment of £9.00 / $12.00 per hour, but we understand that payment rates can vary depending on a range of factors. Whatever payment you choose should reflect the amount of effort participants are required to put in and be fair to everyone involved.

Ethical research made easy with Prolific

At Prolific, we believe in making ethical research easy and accessible. The findings from the Fairwork Cloudwork report speak for themselves. Prolific was given the top score out of all competitors for minimum standards of fair work.

With over 25,000 researchers in our community, we're leading the way in revolutionizing the research industry. If you're interested in learning more about how we can support your research journey, sign up to get started now.

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Ethics Topics for Research Papers: 140+ Ideas

Derived from the Greek word “ethos,” meaning “way of living,” ethics is a branch of philosophy that involves well-founded standards of right and wrong, as well as just and unjust behaviors. By defining concepts such as right, wrong, vice, justice, and crime, ethics examines an individual’s behavior in society.

When writing an ethics research paper, the first step is to come up with an appropriate ethics topic. Framing a research project on ethics requires understanding essential principles like honesty, morals, and integrity, and demonstrating the findings needed to support your hypothesis. This fundamental research can be challenging for many students, particularly those who have chosen complex research topics. Therefore, the first step is brainstorming excellent ethical topics to transform this challenging process into a smooth journey.

With this in mind, we are here to help ease this burden. This blog post compiles over 140+ captivating ethics topics across various disciplines. Each of these topics will assist you in writing a persuasive research paper that will captivate your readers and impress your professors.

Table of Contents

Ethics Comes in a Variety of Forms

Over the centuries, different philosophers have proposed numerous ethical theories. Before diving into the ethical topics that we have categorized, it is crucial to understand the various types of ethics. Ethics can be broadly classified into four branches, as follows:

Descriptive ethics: This branch of ethics deals with the theory that explains the moral norms, attitudes, and practices that societies believe to be right or wrong. It examines how people actually behave and the moral standards they claim to follow.

Normative or prescriptive ethics: The study of “norms” or “principles” that determine what is morally right or wrong and accordingly holds individuals accountable. In simpler terms, this is the study of “ethical actions.” Deontological ethics, virtue ethics, consequentialism, and Nishkam Karmayoga are some examples of normative theories.

Meta-ethics: Meta-ethics studies the nature of ethics as a whole. This branch of ethics analyzes the foundations of our ethical principles and why we use them daily. It involves the investigation of the meaning and justification of moral claims, as well as the nature of moral values and properties.

Applied ethics: This is the most practical branch of ethics. Applied ethics involves the general principles that we apply in our daily lives. This branch deals with the philosophical examination, from a moral standpoint, of specific issues in various fields, such as medicine, business, and the environment.

Selecting the Right Research Topic in Ethics

To create an engaging research paper, the initial step is to select a high-quality research topic that will make your research stand out from the crowd. To score excellent grades, you must develop captivating ethics topics of your choice. Here are a few tips that will help you choose the best option among all the ethics paper topics:

• When framing an ethical research paper, consider choosing a research topic with enough supporting facts, evidence, and details. Avoid any false or fabricated data, as it can ruin the credibility of your paper.
• Select topics involving complex on-going issues or moral quandaries, as they would pique the interest of your professors. Look for topics that are occasionally covered by the media.
• Try to write your research concisely, making it interesting, informative, and relevant. Overly long research is a major turnoff for readers.
• Search for unsolved research paradigms that will allow you to include your opinions and arguments.
• Engage in critical thinking on the best topics. Narrow down some of the best topics that spark your and your readers’ interests and will expand their knowledge.

Identifying the perfect topic that suits all your requirements can be challenging. You can use the tips mentioned above to identify the best topics that meet your needs. However, depending on individual students, this process can still be time-consuming. Instead of brainstorming for hours, delving into research, and writing lengthy research papers , you can seek professional assistance from our research paper writers.

140+ Ethics Topics for Research Papers

Crafting a research paper on ethics can be more challenging than it initially appears. This is because, while most people understand basic ethical values, their interpretations can vary significantly. Ethics is not just about black and white; it delves much deeper into the shades of grey. In this article, our experts from Edumagnate.com have provided you with an extensive list of ethics topics to help jumpstart your research paper. For a better understanding, we recommend reading through each list thoroughly.

Compelling Topics on Ethical Issues

Ethical dilemmas arise when individuals must evaluate whether their actions are morally right. Topics related to such dilemmas often explore complex questions, requiring one to defend their position convincingly. These ethical issues span various fields, including religion, psychology, and sociology. Consequently, incorporating perspectives from these disciplines can help create a unique and insightful research paper.

• Ethical Codes for Sports Refereeing
• Ethical issues in animal research
• The ethical issues with euthanasia
• Ethical Issues in Sports Administration
• Legal Ethics in National and international businesses
• Organizational Ethics and Individual Responsibility
• Understanding sports ethics as a significant tool for accessing moral behavior in sports
• The Ethical Challenges and Controversies of Healthcare Reform
• The Challenge of Terri Schiavo from an ethical perspective
• The Ethical Issues of Pharmaceutical Companies
• Ethical Issues with Abortion
• Sports ethics: use of drugs in sports competition
• Healthcare systems and associated healthcare ethics
• Ethical and cultural issues with group work
• Political and socioeconomic issues amongst different nations
• Religion and Ethics in healthcare provisions
• Ethical Issues and Concerns of a professional sports person
• The ethical side of Motorsports
• The foundation of computer ethics

Since ethics is a branch of philosophy, students can also consider choosing philosophy research topics.

Social Media Business Ethics Topics

To make things easier, our experts have enumerated a list of the most interesting social media business ethics topics for you. These topics are thoroughly reviewed in depth to ensure optimum results for students. Check them out!

• An Introduction to social media ethics
• Is the notion of “controversial fit” on social media ethical?
• Enhancing business performance on social media without eroding business ethics
• The ethical judgment of consumers and controversial advertising avoidance on social media
• Managing ethical responses on social media: effective guidance for business entrepreneurs
• The ethical environment in online communities: information credibility from a social media standpoint
• Employing big data in business organizations and business ethics
• Social media business ethics: a view from the trenches
• Corporate Firing for sharing questionable social media posts: a detailed analysis
• What is the role of social media ethics in achieving responsible business?
• The Influence of social media ethics on Enhancing the effective online presence of Businesses
• The Influence of social media ethics in the ongoing industries
• Social media ethics and Etiquette
• The Impact of social media ethics on Businesses
• The Ethical Issues of Colonizing Mars
• Social media ethics and journalism: a detailed analysis
• The ethical implications of social media: issues and recommendations for entrepreneurs

The Best Bio-Medical Ethics Topics

If you’re interested in bio-medical, then consider choosing a research topic from the following list of suggestions:

• A detailed analysis of the relationship between medical ethics and religious beliefs
• Medical Ethics in Asia versus Europe
• Medical ethics: a detailed analysis
• Ethical Issues in stem cell research and Therapy
• The ethical issues and legal considerations with euthanasia
• Ethical behavioral issues and Problems in Medicine
• A detailed analysis for monitoring the application of idol ethics in medical fields
• The ethical challenges and Considerations for practicing medicine overseas
• Ethical Considerations for the Inclusion of pregnant women as research participants
• How do medical ethics confront religious beliefs?
• Bio-ethics versus medical ethics: a comparative analysis
• Contemporary medical ethics: a research analysis of Iran
• Ethical issues, including bioethics (conduct a case study)
• Principles of bio-medical ethics
• Human testing of drugs: is it ethical?
• Debunking the Ethics of Neuroenhancement
• The imperativeness of medical ethics
• The perception of biomedical ethics
• The Ethics of Development: an integral Approach

Read Also – Interesting biology research topics

Bioethics Research Paper Topics

Bioethics talks about topics related to health, life, genetics, neurology, and even plastic surgery. Research paper topics in bioethics are brilliant topics to write about. The following list is a compilation of 20 bioethics research paper topics that you can consider:

• Ethical conflicts over disclosure and barring services
• Bioethics: Why is philosophy essential for progress?
• Contemporary Issues in Bioethics
• A critical understanding of the ethical responsibilities associated with CRISPR
• Bioethics and stem cell research
• 5 strange and sinister medical procedures from History
• Bioethics and political ideology: The case of active voluntary euthanasia
• Availability of vaccines for everyone: an overview
• The ethics of brain-boosting
• Euthanasia: An Overview and the Jewish Perspective
• The legal and ethical considerations of dealing with a brain-dead person
• A descriptive analysis of Bioethics in Society
• Ethics and genetic engineering—lessons to learn
• Islam and bioethics: Beyond abortion and euthanasia
• Exploring the ethical principles and Practice of plastic surgery
• Pediatric neuroenhancement: ethical, legal, social, and neurodevelopmental implications
• Bioethics, disability, and death: Uncovering cultural bias in the euthanasia debate
• Secular Bioethics and Euthanasia in a democratic public space

Read Also – 200+ Science Research Topics

Medical Ethics Topics to Score Excellent Grades

The list of medical ethics topics below can assist you with some of these amazing medical ethics topics. For a better understanding, consider reading each topic among these recommendations:

• Is physician-assisted suicide legal? Is it ethical?
• The ethical and legal issues with surrogacy
• The Ethical and Medical Implications of Circumcision
• The Ethics of Surrogacy
• The ethics of abortion: Is it ethically right?
• Ethical and policy issues associated with uterine transplants
• Ethical considerations associated with living donations: an overview
• The Ethics of Condemned Prisoner Organ Donation
• Ethical theories and laws associated with medical ethics
• The Ethics of employing human embryos in genetic engineering research
• Medical ethics dilemma: an overview
• The ethical perspectives of the Nightingale pledge
• The ethics of animal research
• Current ethical issues and Challenges in Healthcare
• Religion, beliefs, and medical ethics: an overview
• Bioethics, human rights, and childbirth
• Understanding Morality without ethics

Enthralling Computing Ethics Topics

Technological advancements have revolutionized all facets of human existence. Computer ethics encompass a collection of fundamental principles aimed at addressing concerns associated with the improper use of computers and outlining preventive measures. The list provided below features some of the most compelling ethical research topics in the realm of computer ethics.

• Should ethics boards be required for IT companies?
• Discussing the risks associated with keeping sensitive data online.
• Is hacking a moral act?
• Examine the ethical issues raised by artificial intelligence.
• Exploring computer privacy-related problems and their solutions
• The moral dilemmas associated with drone use
• Evaluating the moral implications of internet users’ Anonymity
• Ethical prevention of cyberbullying: What can be done for a permanent termination?
• Sabotaging others’ computers: how is this ethically wrong?
• Mapping the foundationalist debate in computer ethics
• A method in computer ethics: Towards a multi-level interdisciplinary approach
• Computer ethics: the significance of personal, formal, and informal codes
• Gender and computer ethics
• Reasons, relativity, and Responsibility in computer ethics
• The Ethics of Computing: A Survey of the computing-oriented Literature
• Computer Ethics and moral methodology
• The ethics of online Anonymity or Zuckerberg vs.” Moot.”
• Propose an educational plan for computer ethics and information security

Research Paper Topics in Sports Ethics

Sports ethics extend beyond mere behavior and thought processes, as they are fundamentally rooted in respect, fairness, integrity, and responsibility within the sports arena. Athletes often face dilemmas regarding what actions to take or avoid due to the ethical considerations in sports. Although this subject can be complex, a deep understanding allows for exceptional research on sports ethics. Here are some example topics:

• Sports Ethics: An Anthology
• Ethics in sports
• Performance-enhancing drugs in sport: The ethical issue
• The key components of sports ethics
• The primary moral obligations of athletes
• The imperativeness of ethics in sports
• A detailed analysis of the ethical responsibilities of a sportsperson
• Are professional sporting activities moral in today’s society?
• The Paralympic Games and the Promotion of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
• Athletes’ healthcare and ethical Concerns
• Impact of ethical behavior outside the Pitch
• The moral dimensions of Motorsports
• Child exploitation to become elite athletes
• Moral and ethical responsibilities of a sportsperson
• How do people enter the world of professional sports, and what ethical issues do they face?
• Alienation of sports from real life
• How sports and games serve as the primary outlet for human ethics
• Sports ethics and medicine
• The unique ethics of sports medicine

Top-Notch Business Ethics Topics

Your ethics paper topic on business must be engaging and provide a practical solution to the ongoing economic challenges. Here is a compilation of some of the best business ethical topics for research papers. Each topic on this list will allow you to draft an excellent research paper and earn brilliant grades. Read on.

• Roots of business ethics in Psychology
• A Model of business ethics
• A detailed study of the ethical philosophy behind Bitcoin
• The unique connection between business success and personal integrity
• Moral Leadership and Unethical Pro-Organizational Behavior
• How closely can managers monitor their employees’ behavior?
• Business ethics and social responsibility education: shifting the worldview
• Ethical behaviors and economic rationality: an overview
• Business ethics and social responsibilities
• Who determines whether private or personal information should be collected?
• The business ethics case of McDonald’s
• Understanding and preventing ethical failures in leadership
• Ethical Dilemmas in Conducting Business
• Moral policing: It’s more business than ideology.
• Data Security Enhancement and Business Ethics
• Perceptions of business ethics: Students vs. business people
• American business culture and ethical norms
• Does business ethics make economic sense?
• Moral Leadership and business ethics
• Business Ethics in Islam: the glaring gap in Practice

Read Also – Business Research Topics

Criminal Justice Research Topics in Ethics

We always hear how law enforcement is made to protect the commoner’s rights. Unfortunately, it is not always the case. These law enforcers sometimes end up in morally ambiguous situations. Now and then, we often hear news about how a fellow police officer exploited a commoner. So, if this topic piques your interest, this list might be helpful for you. Below are some interesting topics in criminal justice ethics.

• The Codes of ethics for criminal justice
• Integrity in the Criminal Justice System
• A detailed analysis of the ethics of criminal justice
• Model affairs and impartial statutory policies.
• Arguments for and against capital punishment
• Discussion on the ethical ramifications of the “innocent until proven guilty” principle
• Examination of the Stanford Prison Experiment’s ethical issues.
• What moral ramifications do school shooter exercises have?
• Discuss if Julian Assange’s prosecution is appropriate.
• Examining the ethical difficulties of privatized prisons
• Imprisonment of young offenders: Is it ethically right?
• Ethics in criminal justice: theory and practices
• Ethical Dilemmas and decisions in criminal justice

Read Also – 150 Advanced Law Research Paper Topics

Environmental Ethics Topics

If you are willing to compare and contrast topics for environmental ethics, you can take ideas from some of the below-given research topics. Read through the entire list, narrow down the best topics, and finally, set your tone to make your point.

• An Introduction to environmental ethics
• The bio-ethical standards of Coca-Cola
• A detailed study of the global warming ethics
• Assessing the US Government’s environmental ethics
• Should companies be held accountable for preserving the environment?
• A deeper look at the EU Administration’s environmental policy and commercial ethics
• Environmental Regulations and business ethics
• A detailed study on the primary environmental and ethical issues in business?
• Ethics of setting up residential structures in sensitive habitats.
• Animal testing in the cosmetic industry
• Recreational environmental ethics: A more detailed examination of the effects of hunting
• Ethical evaluation of initiatives to combat climate change
• Commercial whaling: an ethical analysis
• A detailed evaluation of insider trading: can we call it ethical?
• Is there a moral case for pollution trade-off programmers?
• What do people think about good versus bad ethics?
• Electric vehicles can help rescue the environment.
• Tax evasion and tax avoidance: what exactly is legally right?
• A critical evaluation of the global warming ethics
• Pollution trade-off programs: are they ethically justified?
• Ethical Analysis of climate change mitigation efforts

Read Also – List of 150 Enticing Chemistry Research Topics

Final Thoughts

From the array of ethics topics provided, choose one that captures your interest and aligns with your academic preferences. We hope this list proves insightful for your upcoming research paper. If you ever feel stuck, remember that help is available!

Consider using our paper help service if you’re searching for a topic for your research proposal, thesis , dissertation, or any other academic writing. Our skilled paper helpers can assist you in developing a unique ethics research paper topic. Should you require expert guidance, don’t hesitate to seek outstanding writing assistance at a reasonable price.

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How to Write an Ethics Paper or Essay With Tips and Examples

• Icon Calendar 4 August 2024
• Icon Page 3974 words
• Icon Clock 18 min read

An ethics essay is one type of essays that students write to present their ideas about what is good or bad, right or wrong, white or black, and approved or prohibited in terms of various theories, approaches, techniques, practices, actions, behaviors, responsibilities, morals, results, obligations, virtues, and others, developing essential writing skills. When writing an ethics paper, students should understand that such an essay differs from other assignments, and it focuses on elaborating on issues with ethical or moral implications in philosophy. Basically, this elaboration entails writers arguing for a stand on an ethical or moral issue. Moreover, when writing such a composition, students should follow a basic essay structure: introduction-body-conclusion. In each of these sections, learners should capture critical elements, such as a thesis statement in the introduction part, topic sentences in body paragraphs, and a thesis restatement in the conclusion part. Hence, students need to learn how to write a good ethics paper or essay to demonstrate their knowledge of philosophy by using ethical and moral sides of an issue.

General Aspects

Academic writing is a broad discipline that exposes students to critical skills, including interpretation, explanation, reflection, and analysis of many essay topics. Basically, essay writing is one of the academic exercises that enable students to build these skills. One of the essay types that students write is a research paper on ethics. In this case, writers begin a research paper about ethics by introducing an assigned topic, explaining its significance, and presenting a clear thesis statement. When writing ethics essays in philosophy, students address issues related to morality, such as aspects of right and wrong or good and bad. Then, such concepts of ethics and morals underlie the importance of the right behaviors. In various settings, such as workplaces, humans establish codes of ethics and conduct to guide behavior. Therefore, when writing such compositions, a student’s focus is on how humans embrace or disregard good morals in society.

What Is an Ethics Paper and Its Purpose

According to its definition, an ethics paper is a written work that examines moral issues, ethical dilemmas, and contradicting cases, exploring questions of right and wrong. The primary purpose of writing an ethics paper is to examine and analyze various ethical theories, apply them to real-life situations, and present well-reasoned arguments to support a specific viewpoint on an author (Baron et al., 2014). Through this process, such a work aims to stimulate critical thinking and ethical reasoning analysis, helping people to understand different moral perspectives and refine their own beliefs. By examining the lens of ethical principles and their applications, such essays contribute to academic discourse, guide professional practices, and enhance moral awareness. At the individual level, people learn how to reflect on their values and the implications of their choices (Gorichanaz, 2023). Besides, an ethics paper typically includes an introduction with a thesis statement, a literature review, arguments and counterarguments, an analysis, and a conclusion. In terms of pages and words, the length of such a work can vary based on specific course requirements, topic’s complexity, guidelines provided by the instructor or institution, and academic levels:

High School

• Pages: 2-5 pages
• Words: 500-1250 words

College (Undergraduate)

• Pages: 5-10 pages
• Words: 1250-2500 words

University (Advanced Undergraduate or Honors)

• Pages: 10-15 pages
• Words: 2500-3750 words

Master’s

• Pages: 20-30 pages
• Words: 5000-7500 words
• Pages: 30-50 pages or more
• Words: 7500-12,500+ words

1. Defining Features or Characteristics

Like all other types of papers , an ethics essay has unique features that define it as an academic text. Writing ethics involves explaining and evaluating moral principles, applying them to specific situations, and providing reasoned arguments supported by evidence (Stichler, 2014). To some extent, these features influence an essay structure of a paper. Basically, the first feature is proof of the importance of a topic. In this case, students show this importance by constructing essay topics as challenging issues facing society, hence talking about it. Then, the second characteristic is a thesis statement, and learners in philosophy formulate them to shed light on a topic. Further on, the third feature is arguments that support a thesis, and the fourth characteristic is possible counterarguments. Moreover, the fifth feature is a rebuttal, where writers insist on the strengths of their arguments while acknowledging possible or real counterarguments. In turn, the sixth characteristic is a sum-up of an ethics paper. Here, authors emphasize a thesis statement by justifying arguments in their favor that they provide in a written document. Therefore, to write a professional ethics paper, people clearly define a specific moral issue, use relevant ethical theories, provide reasoned arguments, and cite scholarly sources (Stichler, 2014). In turn, an argument can be considered as an ethical argument if this statement meets certain criteria that distinguish it from other types of claims. Here are key characteristics that make an argument an ethical argument:

• Moral Principles: The argument is based on moral principles or ethical theories and involves considerations of right and wrong, justice, fairness, duty, virtue, or other good/bad concepts.
• Normative Statements: Moral claims include normative statements, which prescribe how people ought to act rather than merely describing how they do act.
• Reasoned Justifications: The statement provides reasoned justifications for its claims, relying on logical reasoning rather than emotional appeals or mere opinions.
• Universalizability: Philosophical approaches often aim for universalizability, meaning the principles applied in the argument should be applicable to all similar situations, not just the specific case being discussed.
• Consideration of Stakeholders: The argument takes into account the impact on all relevant stakeholders, considering how the actions or policies will affect different individuals or groups.
• Ethical Theories and Principles: The claim often references established moral theories and principles, such as utilitarianism (maximizing overall happiness), deontology (duty-based ethics), virtue ethics (focusing on character), or rights-based approaches.
• Consistency: Strong arguments strive for consistency, ensuring moral principles applied are coherent and do not lead to contradictory conclusions in different situations.
• Moral Language: The sentence uses moral language, such as “right,” “wrong,” “ought,” “duty,” “rights,” “justice,” “virtue,” and others, to articulate its points.
• Impartiality: It often requires impartiality, and key decisions should not be biased by personal interests but should consider the perspective of others affected.
• Ethical Reflection: The claim involves ethical reflection, encouraging critical examination of moral beliefs and assumptions to arrive at a well-reasoned conclusion.

2. How Does an Ethics Paper Differ From Other Essays

There are many types of essays that students write under a discipline of philosophy. Basically, each essay type has unique characteristics, and they distinguish it from other papers. For an ethics essay, these characteristics include addressing a moral issue, using an ethical lens to make arguments regarding a controversial matter, or explaining a dilemma (Jansen & Ellerton, 2018). Ideally, this type of paper focuses on elaborating on ethics and morality. In contrast, a narrative essay focuses on telling the writer’s story, while an informative essay focuses on educating the audience concerning a topic. Moreover, while some papers, like narrative or college application essays, utilize the first-person language, an ethics essay takes a formal approach to a third-person language. As a result, a good ethics paper clearly defines a particular moral problem, applies relevant ethical theories, presents balanced arguments, and provides well-reasoned conclusions.

3. How to Know if Students Need to Write an Ethics Paper or Essay

Generally, before students write some types of papers, they first consider the department or tutor’s requirements. Basically, these requirements can provide direct instructions, including a research topic, an essay outline, or a grading rubric (Baron et al., 2014). In this case, the latter helps students to understand the basic expectations of educational departments or tutors. Therefore, when students do not get direct instructions about their ethics topics, they can always know what type of essay they need to write by reading grading essay rubric requirements. For ethics papers, such prompts require students to take a stand on an issue of profound ethical or moral implications, such as fraud. In turn, key elements that tell students that they need to write an ethics paper or essay include providing an ethical argument, elaborating on a moral dilemma, or expounding on ethical and legal implications.

4. How Do Students Know if They Need to Write an Ethics Paper by Looking at an Essay Topic

Students consider the instructions given by departments or tutors when writing essays. Basically, these instructions provide directions on essay topics, and students should address them when writing their papers. When writing an ethics paper, students can know that they need to write this type of essay by looking at the department or tutor’s topic. Moreover, this ethics topic may require people to provide valid arguments concerning a matter, elaborate on a moral dilemma, or state whether an issue is ethical or legal (Deaton, 2019). In turn, a central message of a topic should require students to address an issue via a philosophical lens. As a result, to write an ethical dilemma paper, people describe a specific moral problem, discuss conflicting values, analyze possible solutions using philosophical theories, and conclude with a reasoned decision.

5. The Meaning of an Ethical Argument, Ethical Dilemma, and Ethical v. Legal Implications

Key elements that define an ethics paper include ethical arguments, moral dilemmas, and ethical and legal implications. For example, the term “ethical arguments” refers to a concept of taking a stand on an issue with moral implications and defending it (Baines, 2009). In this case, writers make relevant arguments to support their perspectives on an issue raising moral questions, such as fraud. Then, the term “ethical dilemma” refers to a situation where individuals find themselves whenever they face an issue raising ethical or moral questions, such as bribery (Baines, 2009). Moreover, authors are torn between two options, with one option having severe moral implications. In turn, the term “ethical versus legal implications” refers to a situation where a writer has to decide whether an issue, such as bribery, needs ethical or legal redress (Baines, 2009). Hence, ethical dilemmas mean the complexity of making moral decisions and require a balance between conflicting values and principles, while some examples of them are:

Examples of Ethical & Moral Themes

• Ethical Dimensions of Artificial Intelligence: Concerns and Potential Solutions
• The Ethics and Legality of Child Adoption
• The Pros and Cons of Taking Vitamin Supplements
• Plastic Surgery and the Pursuit of Beauty
• Human Cloning: Is It Ethical?
• Death Penalty: Key Pros and Cons
• Abortion as an Intervention Against Teen Pregnancy
• Is Voting a Moral or Legal Duty?
• Does Driving an Electric Car Indicate Responsible Citizenship?
• Social Media Use and Privacy
• Should Schools Enact Anti-Bullying Policies?
• Does Social Media Use Enhance or Undermine Socialization?
• Combating Music Piracy: Should Governments Get Involved?
• Organic Foods vs. Processed Foods: Which Is Healthier?
• Global Warming and the Extinction of Animal and Plant Species
• Should Politics and Church Separate?
• Is It Justified to Bribe to Avoid a Legal Penalty?
• Should Nurses Be Allowed to Assist Terminally Ill Patients to End Their Lives?
• Corporate Fraud: Who Should Take Responsibility?
• Is Corporate Social Responsibility a Humanitarian or Commercial Concept?

Ethics Paper Format

Note: This ethics paper format is general, while some sections can be added, deleted, or combined with each other depending on the scope, requirements, instructions, and purpose.

Ethics Paper Outline

Like any other essay, an ethics paper follows a specific structure that underscores its outline. Basically, this structure comprises three sections: introduction, body, and conclusion. When writing these sections, students must ensure they address all the essential defining features stated previously in their ethics essays or papers. When doing so, writers should confirm that the introduction and conclusion sections take 10 percent of the total word count of an ethics paper or essay, while the body, which is the main text, should be 80 percent. Hence, an essay outline of an ethics paper should look as below:

I. Introduction

A. Hook sentence. B. Background information on an ethical dilemma. C. Writer’s claim – A thesis statement covering a moral part.

II. Body Paragraphs

A. Argument

• state a position of an argument;
• support this position with evidence;
• explain how this evidence is right toward this argument and evidence;
• conclude why this argument is valid.

B. Counterargument

• provide a counterargument to a position in the first body paragraph;
• include evidence that supports this counterargument, being opposite to an argument in the previous section;
• explain how this counterargument and evidence in this paragraph are correct by using an opposite perspective;
• finish why this counterargument is valid for this case.

C. Rebuttal

• define the weaknesses of a counterargument;
• cover credible evidence that supports such weaknesses;
• write how these weaknesses make a counterargument irrelevant;
• end with a statement that explains why a counterargument is not valid compared to an argument.

III. Conclusion

A. Restate a thesis. B. Sum up on the argument, counterargument, and rebuttal. C. State a paper’s final claim with a moral lesson.

Explaining Each Section of an Ethics Paper Structure

When writing the introduction section, authors of an ethics paper should be brief and concise. Here, students should inform the audience about the purpose of writing by accurately expounding on an ethical issue they intend to address (Baron et al., 2014). In essence, this aspect means highlighting their stand concerning an issue. Moreover, formulating a thesis statement helps to accomplish this goal. In this case, writers frame their minds and structure their compositions via the use of arguments, and they defend their stand on an issue of profound moral implications. Notably, when writing the introduction part, which signals the start of an ethical paper or essay, learners should begin with a hook to grab the readers’ attention. This sentence can be a popular misconception or a question that writers intend to answer when writing an ethics paper or essay. In turn, the next examples of starters can help writers to begin their ethical analysis and set the stage for a thorough exploration of the topic:

• Moral implications of [issue] are complex and involve different considerations, such as … .
• One of the most pressing ethical questions surrounding [issue] is whether … .
• From the perspective of deontological ethics, [action] can be viewed as … .
• A utilitarian approach to [issue] would suggest … .
• The principle of autonomy plays a crucial role in the debate over [issue], as it emphasizes … .
• In considering the ethical dimensions of [issue], it is important to weigh the potential benefits against … .
• The controversy over [issue] highlights the tension between [value 1] and [value 2] … .
• Philosophical lenses, such as [theory 1], [theory 2], and [theory 3] provide a framework for understanding [issue] by focusing on … .
• The debate over [issue] raises significant moral concerns, including … .
• Examining [issue] through the lens of [ethical theory] reveals … .

II. Body Section

When writing the body of an ethics paper or essay, students should use a thesis statement as a reference point. In other words, they should use a thesis statement to come up with several ideas or arguments in defense of their stand on an assigned ethical or moral issue identified in the introduction part (Deaton, 2019). Basically, rules of academic writing dictate that students should begin each body paragraph with a topic sentence, whose purpose is to introduce a claim or idea they intend to elaborate on in the section. Then, it is advisable that, when writing the body section, learners should use different paragraphs to separate arguments logically. Moreover, students should follow a sandwich rule when writing every body paragraph of an ethics paper or essay. In turn, such a paragraph structure means providing a claim, supporting it with evidence, explaining its relevance to the paper’s thesis, and ending with a transition sentence to be connected with the next paragraph logically.

The conclusion part is the last section of an ethics paper. In particular, an ethics essay should capture several themes in this section. Firstly, writers should restate a thesis statement. Secondly, they should summarize the main points made in body paragraphs. Further on, this aspect means summarizing the writer’s arguments for their stands toward an issue with moral implications (Baines, 2009). In turn, authors should reiterate the paper’s topic and state why it was essential to address an ethical or moral issue. Besides, students need to avoid providing new information in this section.

Example of an Ethics Paper

Topic – Euthanasia: Is It Ethical?

I. Introduction Sample

Terminal illness is a condition of profound pain and suffering for those affected, including the patients and their families. Today, some scientists support euthanasia, the aspect of assisting terminally ill patients in ending their lives. While health professionals should do everything to help their patients to avoid suffering, assisting them in ending their lives is unethical and immoral.

II. Examples of Body Paragraphs

Life is a sacred thing, and no human being has any justification for ending it, regardless of whose it is. For example, the premise of a debate about euthanasia, which refers to assisted suicide, is the prevalence of terminal illnesses that subject individuals to a life of pain, suffering, and dependence. Without any hope of recovery, some individuals have opted to end their lives with the help of their loved ones or health professionals. While there is every reason to empathize with these individuals’ fate, there is no basis for supporting their desire to end their lives. In turn, the sanctity of life does not allow human beings to end life, no matter the circumstances.

If there seems to be no hope of recovery, ending life is counterproductive in an age of significant scientific and technological advancements. Basically, scientists are working round the clock to find cures for incurable diseases that have proven to be a threat to humanity. For example, today, smallpox is no longer a threat because a cure is found (Persson, 2010). Therefore, the fact that there may be no cure for a disease today does not mean that there will not be a cure tomorrow. Naturally, human beings rely on hope to overcome moments of darkness, such as a terminal illness diagnosis. Nonetheless, it is the effort of the scientific community that has always brought hope to humanity. In this light, there is no ethical or moral justification for euthanasia.

Euthanasia is not only a solution to terminal illness but also a sign of hopelessness and despair. When patients take the root of assisted suicide, it means that they give up on looking for alternatives in dealing with a problem. In this case, the fact that a terminal illness does not have a cure does not imply that it cannot be managed. Moreover, individuals who love a terminally ill person, such as family members and friends, hope to spend more time with them before an inevitable time happens. As such, terminally ill patients should use their families and health professionals to live longer. In essence, this aspect reflects true humanity – standing firm and determining amid of insurmountable odds. On that truth alone, euthanasia is an idea that deserves no thought or attention.

III. Conclusion Sample

There is nothing more devastating than a terminal illness diagnosis. Basically, such news punctures the hope of many individuals, families, and communities. Nonetheless, patients should not lose hope and despair to the point of wanting to end their lives because of being diagnosed with a terminal illness. Because life is sacred and there is always a higher probability of medical breakthroughs in an age of scientific and technological advancement, euthanasia is an unethical and immoral solution to a terminal illness.

Persson, S. (2010). Smallpox, syphilis, and salvation: Medical breakthroughs that changed the world . East Gosford, New South Wales: Exisle Publishing.

Essay writing is an essential academic exercise that enables students to develop writing skills. When writing an ethics paper or essay, students focus on taking a stand on an issue with ethical or moral implications. In this case, writers create a thesis statement that expresses their perspective on a moral issue, which can be an ethical dilemma. In the main text, authors provide arguments that defend their thesis statements. Hence, when writing an ethics paper or essay, students should master the following tips:

• Develop the introduction-body-conclusion paper outline.
• Introduce an assigned topic briefly and concisely in the introduction section.
• Write a strong thesis statement covering a moral problem.
• Use separate body paragraphs to introduce and defend arguments.
• Ensure to provide a counterargument and a rebuttal.
• Restate a central thesis statement in the conclusion section, including a summary of the main points (arguments that defend the paper’s thesis).

Baines, B. K. (2009). Ethical wills: Putting your values on paper . Da Capo Press.

Baron, P., Poxon, B., & Jones, L. (2014). How to write ethics and philosophy essays . PushMe Press.

Deaton, M. (2019). Ethics in a nutshell: The philosopher’s approach to morality in 100 pages . Notaed Press.

Gorichanaz, T. (2023). A compass for what matters: Applying virtue ethics to information behavior. Open Information Science , 7 (1), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1515/opis-2022-0151

Jansen, M., & Ellerton, P. (2018). How to read an ethics paper. Journal of Medical Ethics , 44 (12), 810–813. https://doi.org/10.1136/medethics-2018-104997

Stichler, J. F. (2014). The ethics of research, writing, and publication. HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal , 8 (1), 15–19. https://doi.org/10.1177/193758671400800103

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Home — Essay Samples — Philosophy — Ethics and Moral Philosophy — Ethics

Essays on Ethics

📚🤔 importance of writing an ethics essay 🤔📚.

Ethics are like the moral compass that guides our decisions and actions. Writing an essay about ethics helps us delve deeper into this fascinating topic and understand its significance in our lives. It allows us to explore different perspectives and engage in meaningful discussions. Plus, it's an opportunity to flex our writing skills! So, let's dive into the world of ethics essays together! 🌍💭

💡 Ethics Essay Topics for Deep Thinkers 💡

When choosing a topic for your ethics essay, it's crucial to find something that truly captures your interest. The best essays are the ones where you're genuinely passionate about the subject. So, take a moment to think about what ethical issues matter most to you. Is it animal rights? Climate change? Workplace ethics? Once you've identified your area of focus, you're ready to explore some potential essay topics! Here are a few ideas to get your creative juices flowing:

💥 Ethics Argumentative Essay 💥

An ethics argumentative essay presents a clear stance on a controversial ethical issue. It requires you to provide solid evidence and persuasive arguments to support your viewpoint. Here are 10 exciting topics to consider:

• Is euthanasia morally acceptable under certain circumstances?
• Should animal testing be banned for cosmetic purposes?
• Is it ethical to use performance-enhancing drugs in sports?
• Should the death penalty be abolished?
• Is genetic engineering morally justified?
• Should businesses prioritize profit over environmental sustainability?
• Is it ethical to consume meat in a world plagued by climate change?
• Should individuals have the right to privacy in the age of surveillance?
• Is it morally permissible to lie in certain situations?
• Should the government regulate the use of social media to protect user privacy?

💥 Ethics Cause and Effect Essay 💥

An ethics cause and effect essay explores the consequences of certain ethical actions or decisions. It delves into the ripple effects and explores the interconnectedness of ethical choices. Take a look at these 10 intriguing topics:

• The impact of social media on ethical behavior
• The consequences of ethical violations in the workplace
• The effects of ethical consumerism on the environment
• The relationship between ethical leadership and employee satisfaction
• The repercussions of unethical advertising on society
• The consequences of ethical relativism in international relations
• The impact of ethical decision-making on personal relationships
• The effects of ethical education on youth development
• The relationship between ethical behavior and corporate reputation
• The consequences of ethical dilemmas in healthcare settings

💥 Ethics Opinion Essay 💥

An ethics opinion essay allows you to express your personal thoughts and beliefs on an ethical issue. It encourages introspection and reflection, giving you the freedom to express your own values. Here are 10 thought-provoking topics to consider:

• Is it morally wrong to lie to protect someone's feelings?
• Should individuals be held responsible for the ethical behavior of their family members?
• Is it ethical to eat meat in a world where factory farming exists?
• Should businesses prioritize their social responsibility over profit?
• Is it morally right to intervene in the cultural practices of other countries?
• Should individuals have the right to refuse medical treatment based on personal beliefs?
• Is it ethical to use animals for scientific research if it leads to medical advancements?
• Should celebrities be held to higher ethical standards?

📜 Thesis Statement Examples 📜

Here are a few thesis statement examples to inspire your ethics essay:

• 1. "In today's complex world, ethical dilemmas surround us. This essay delves into the moral challenges we face in various aspects of our lives, offering insight into the importance of ethical decision-making."
• 2. "Exploring the ethical dimensions of our actions and choices is essential for personal growth and societal progress. This essay advocates for a deeper understanding of ethics as a guiding force in our lives."
• 3. "Ethics is not just a philosophical concept; it's a practical framework that shapes our daily decisions. This essay investigates the role of ethics in navigating the complexities of modern life, emphasizing its significance in fostering a just and harmonious society."

📝 Introduction Paragraph Examples 📝

Here are some introduction paragraph examples for your ethics essay:

• 1. "In a world where moral dilemmas and ethical questions abound, the study of ethics takes on a vital role. This essay embarks on a journey to explore the multifaceted aspects of ethics, from its philosophical foundations to its practical applications in our daily lives."
• 2. "The concept of ethics is as old as human civilization itself, yet its relevance remains undiminished. This essay opens the door to the realm of ethics, inviting readers to contemplate the values that guide our actions and decisions in an ever-evolving world."
• 3. "Ethics is the compass that steers us through the turbulent waters of moral ambiguity. As we embark on this essay, we embark on a quest to unravel the intricacies of ethical reasoning, exploring the diverse perspectives that shape our understanding of right and wrong."

🔚 Conclusion Paragraph Examples 📝

Here are some conclusion paragraph examples for your ethics essay:

• 1. "In conclusion, ethics is not a mere academic pursuit; it's a guiding light that illuminates our path through life. By embracing ethical principles and engaging in thoughtful reflection, we can navigate the complexities of our world with integrity and compassion."
• 2. "As we draw the curtains on this essay, we are reminded that ethics is not a static concept but a dynamic force that evolves with society. Let us carry forward the lessons learned and continue to champion the values that foster a more ethical and harmonious world."
• 3. "Ethics is the cornerstone of a just and equitable society. This essay has explored the depths of ethical reasoning, from its philosophical roots to its practical applications. It is our collective responsibility to uphold the principles of ethics and strive for a world guided by moral integrity."

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The Importance of Ethics in Our Daily Life

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Ethics refers to the moral principles and values that guide human behavior and decision-making, determining what is considered right or wrong, good or bad. It encompasses the study of ethical theories and frameworks, as well as the application of these principles to various domains, including personal conduct, professional practices, and social interactions.

The origin of ethics can be traced to ancient civilizations such as Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Greece, where early thinkers sought to understand and define concepts of right and wrong, virtue and vice, and the principles that guide human behavior. In ancient Greece, philosophers like Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle laid the groundwork for ethical theories that continue to influence ethical thought today. Socrates emphasized the importance of self-examination and moral inquiry, while Plato explored the concept of the "good" and the ideal forms. Aristotle, known for his virtue ethics, focused on cultivating virtuous character traits to lead a flourishing life. Throughout history, various religious and philosophical traditions have contributed to the development of ethical theories. Religious texts such as the Bible, the Quran, and the teachings of Confucius have provided moral guidance for their respective communities. In the Middle Ages, Christian theologians like Thomas Aquinas merged Greek philosophy with Christian theology, shaping the field of Christian ethics. During the Enlightenment era, thinkers such as Immanuel Kant and John Stuart Mill revolutionized ethical thought. Kant's deontological ethics emphasized moral duties and the importance of rationality, while Mill's utilitarianism focused on maximizing overall happiness and minimizing suffering. The history of ethics is marked by ongoing debates, reinterpretations, and new perspectives. In contemporary times, ethics continues to evolve and respond to the complexities of our globalized and diverse world.

1. Consequentialism: Consequentialist ethics focuses on the outcomes or consequences of actions. The moral value of an action is determined by the overall good or happiness it produces. Utilitarianism, a prominent consequentialist theory, posits that the right action is the one that maximizes overall happiness or utility for the greatest number of people. 2. Deontological Ethics: Deontological ethics emphasizes moral duties and principles rather than the consequences of actions. According to this approach, certain actions are inherently right or wrong, regardless of their outcomes. Immanuel Kant's categorical imperative, which emphasizes universal moral principles, is a well-known deontological framework. 3. Virtue Ethics: Virtue ethics focuses on the development of virtuous character traits and moral virtues. It emphasizes the importance of cultivating qualities such as honesty, compassion, courage, and justice. Rather than focusing on specific actions, virtue ethics encourages individuals to embody these virtues and live a virtuous life. 4. Ethics of Care: The ethics of care emphasizes the importance of relationships, empathy, and compassion in ethical decision-making. It recognizes the interconnectedness of individuals and highlights the moral responsibility to care for and nurture others. This approach values empathy, attentiveness, and responsiveness to the needs of others, particularly in personal relationships and caregiving roles.

1. Aristotle (384-322 BCE): Aristotle was an ancient Greek philosopher who developed the concept of virtue ethics. His works, such as "Nicomachean Ethics," emphasized the importance of cultivating virtuous character traits to live a fulfilling and morally upright life. Aristotle believed that virtue was the mean between extremes, and he explored various virtues such as courage, justice, and temperance. 2. Immanuel Kant (1724-1804): Kant was a German philosopher who made significant contributions to deontological ethics. His work, particularly in "Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals" and "Critique of Practical Reason," introduced the concept of the categorical imperative, which emphasized universal moral principles and the inherent value of human beings. Kant's ethical theories focused on duty, rationality, and the intention behind actions. 3. John Stuart Mill (1806-1873): Mill was an influential philosopher and advocate of utilitarianism, a consequentialist ethical theory. In his book "Utilitarianism," Mill argued that actions should be judged based on their ability to maximize overall happiness or utility for the greatest number of people. He emphasized the importance of individual rights, the pursuit of happiness, and the consideration of long-term consequences. 4. Carol Gilligan (1936-present): Gilligan is an American ethicist and psychologist known for her work on the ethics of care. In her groundbreaking book "In a Different Voice," she criticized traditional ethical theories for neglecting the moral perspectives and experiences of women. Gilligan highlighted the significance of relationships, empathy, and care in ethical decision-making, emphasizing the value of nurturing and interconnectedness.

1. Consequentialism: Consequentialist ethics focuses on the outcomes or consequences of actions. It asserts that the morality of an action is determined by its consequences, with the aim of maximizing overall well-being or happiness. Utilitarianism, a prominent consequentialist theory, suggests that actions should be judged based on their ability to produce the greatest amount of happiness or utility for the greatest number of people. 2. Deontology: Deontological ethics, in contrast to consequentialism, places emphasis on the inherent rightness or wrongness of actions themselves, regardless of their consequences. It focuses on moral duties, obligations, and principles that should guide behavior. Immanuel Kant's categorical imperative is a key deontological principle that asserts that individuals should act in a way that they would want their actions to be universally applicable. 3. Virtue Ethics: Virtue ethics centers around the cultivation of moral character and virtues. It suggests that a morally good person will naturally make good choices. Virtue ethicists emphasize the development of virtues such as honesty, compassion, courage, and justice, and believe that ethical behavior stems from embodying these virtues and striving for excellence in character.

Ethics is a vital subject to explore and write an essay about due to its profound impact on human behavior, decision-making, and the overall well-being of society. Ethics provides a framework for evaluating what is right and wrong, guiding individuals and organizations in making ethical choices. By examining ethical theories, concepts, and principles, one can delve into the complexities of moral dilemmas and explore the underlying values and principles that shape human conduct. Writing an essay on ethics allows individuals to critically analyze ethical issues, engage in ethical reasoning, and develop a deeper understanding of moral principles. It prompts thoughtful reflection on the consequences of actions, the moral responsibilities we hold, and the ethical implications of our choices. Furthermore, studying ethics fosters empathy, respect for others, and an appreciation for diversity, ultimately contributing to a more compassionate and just society. Exploring ethical topics in an essay enables individuals to explore real-world ethical challenges, such as environmental ethics, business ethics, medical ethics, and social justice. It encourages the development of ethical leadership, ethical decision-making skills, and ethical awareness, which are essential in navigating complex ethical landscapes.

1. Aristotle. (1999). Nicomachean Ethics (T. Irwin, Trans.). Hackett Publishing. 2. Beauchamp, T. L., & Childress, J. F. (2019). Principles of biomedical ethics. Oxford University Press. 3. Bentham, J. (1789). An introduction to the principles of morals and legislation. Oxford University Press. 4. Kant, I. (1785). Groundwork of the metaphysics of morals (M. Gregor, Trans.). Cambridge University Press. 5. MacIntyre, A. (1981). After virtue: A study in moral theory. University of Notre Dame Press. 6. Mill, J. S. (1863). Utilitarianism. Longmans, Green, Reader, and Dyer. 7. Noddings, N. (2002). Starting at home: Caring and social policy. University of California Press. 8. Rawls, J. (1971). A theory of justice. Harvard University Press. 9. Singer, P. (1993). Practical ethics. Cambridge University Press. 10. Solomon, R. C. (1993). The ethics of care and empathy. In M. A. Slote & M. L. Murphy (Eds.), Friendship and moral psychology (pp. 184-200). Rowman & Littlefield.

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• Values of Life
• Ethical Dilemma
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Home » Ethical Considerations – Types, Examples and Writing Guide

Ethical Considerations – Types, Examples and Writing Guide

Table of Contents

Ethical Considerations

Ethical considerations in research refer to the principles and guidelines that researchers must follow to ensure that their studies are conducted in an ethical and responsible manner. These considerations are designed to protect the rights, safety, and well-being of research participants, as well as the integrity and credibility of the research itself

Some of the key ethical considerations in research include:

• Informed consent: Researchers must obtain informed consent from study participants, which means they must inform participants about the study’s purpose, procedures, risks, benefits, and their right to withdraw at any time.
• Privacy and confidentiality : Researchers must ensure that participants’ privacy and confidentiality are protected. This means that personal information should be kept confidential and not shared without the participant’s consent.
• Harm reduction : Researchers must ensure that the study does not harm the participants physically or psychologically. They must take steps to minimize the risks associated with the study.
• Fairness and equity : Researchers must ensure that the study does not discriminate against any particular group or individual. They should treat all participants equally and fairly.
• Use of deception: Researchers must use deception only if it is necessary to achieve the study’s objectives. They must inform participants of the deception as soon as possible.
• Use of vulnerable populations : Researchers must be especially cautious when working with vulnerable populations, such as children, pregnant women, prisoners, and individuals with cognitive or intellectual disabilities.
• Conflict of interest : Researchers must disclose any potential conflicts of interest that may affect the study’s integrity. This includes financial or personal relationships that could influence the study’s results.
• Data manipulation: Researchers must not manipulate data to support a particular hypothesis or agenda. They should report the results of the study objectively, even if the findings are not consistent with their expectations.
• Intellectual property: Researchers must respect intellectual property rights and give credit to previous studies and research.
• Cultural sensitivity : Researchers must be sensitive to the cultural norms and beliefs of the participants. They should avoid imposing their values and beliefs on the participants and should be respectful of their cultural practices.

Types of Ethical Considerations

Types of Ethical Considerations are as follows:

Research Ethics:

This includes ethical principles and guidelines that govern research involving human or animal subjects, ensuring that the research is conducted in an ethical and responsible manner.

Business Ethics :

This refers to ethical principles and standards that guide business practices and decision-making, such as transparency, honesty, fairness, and social responsibility.

Medical Ethics :

This refers to ethical principles and standards that govern the practice of medicine, including the duty to protect patient autonomy, informed consent, confidentiality, and non-maleficence.

Environmental Ethics :

This involves ethical principles and values that guide our interactions with the natural world, including the obligation to protect the environment, minimize harm, and promote sustainability.

Legal Ethics

This involves ethical principles and standards that guide the conduct of legal professionals, including issues such as confidentiality, conflicts of interest, and professional competence.

Social Ethics

This involves ethical principles and values that guide our interactions with other individuals and society as a whole, including issues such as justice, fairness, and human rights.

Information Ethics

This involves ethical principles and values that govern the use and dissemination of information, including issues such as privacy, accuracy, and intellectual property.

Cultural Ethics

This involves ethical principles and values that govern the relationship between different cultures and communities, including issues such as respect for diversity, cultural sensitivity, and inclusivity.

Technological Ethics

This refers to ethical principles and guidelines that govern the development, use, and impact of technology, including issues such as privacy, security, and social responsibility.

Journalism Ethics

This involves ethical principles and standards that guide the practice of journalism, including issues such as accuracy, fairness, and the public interest.

Educational Ethics

This refers to ethical principles and standards that guide the practice of education, including issues such as academic integrity, fairness, and respect for diversity.

Political Ethics

This involves ethical principles and values that guide political decision-making and behavior, including issues such as accountability, transparency, and the protection of civil liberties.

Professional Ethics

This refers to ethical principles and standards that guide the conduct of professionals in various fields, including issues such as honesty, integrity, and competence.

Personal Ethics

This involves ethical principles and values that guide individual behavior and decision-making, including issues such as personal responsibility, honesty, and respect for others.

Global Ethics

This involves ethical principles and values that guide our interactions with other nations and the global community, including issues such as human rights, environmental protection, and social justice.

Applications of Ethical Considerations

Ethical considerations are important in many areas of society, including medicine, business, law, and technology. Here are some specific applications of ethical considerations:

• Medical research : Ethical considerations are crucial in medical research, particularly when human subjects are involved. Researchers must ensure that their studies are conducted in a way that does not harm participants and that participants give informed consent before participating.
• Business practices: Ethical considerations are also important in business, where companies must make decisions that are socially responsible and avoid activities that are harmful to society. For example, companies must ensure that their products are safe for consumers and that they do not engage in exploitative labor practices.
• Environmental protection: Ethical considerations play a crucial role in environmental protection, as companies and governments must weigh the benefits of economic development against the potential harm to the environment. Decisions about land use, resource allocation, and pollution must be made in an ethical manner that takes into account the long-term consequences for the planet and future generations.
• Technology development : As technology continues to advance rapidly, ethical considerations become increasingly important in areas such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and genetic engineering. Developers must ensure that their creations do not harm humans or the environment and that they are developed in a way that is fair and equitable.
• Legal system : The legal system relies on ethical considerations to ensure that justice is served and that individuals are treated fairly. Lawyers and judges must abide by ethical standards to maintain the integrity of the legal system and to protect the rights of all individuals involved.

Examples of Ethical Considerations

Here are a few examples of ethical considerations in different contexts:

• In healthcare : A doctor must ensure that they provide the best possible care to their patients and avoid causing them harm. They must respect the autonomy of their patients, and obtain informed consent before administering any treatment or procedure. They must also ensure that they maintain patient confidentiality and avoid any conflicts of interest.
• In the workplace: An employer must ensure that they treat their employees fairly and with respect, provide them with a safe working environment, and pay them a fair wage. They must also avoid any discrimination based on race, gender, religion, or any other characteristic protected by law.
• In the media : Journalists must ensure that they report the news accurately and without bias. They must respect the privacy of individuals and avoid causing harm or distress. They must also be transparent about their sources and avoid any conflicts of interest.
• In research: Researchers must ensure that they conduct their studies ethically and with integrity. They must obtain informed consent from participants, protect their privacy, and avoid any harm or discomfort. They must also ensure that their findings are reported accurately and without bias.
• In personal relationships : People must ensure that they treat others with respect and kindness, and avoid causing harm or distress. They must respect the autonomy of others and avoid any actions that would be considered unethical, such as lying or cheating. They must also respect the confidentiality of others and maintain their privacy.

How to Write Ethical Considerations

When writing about research involving human subjects or animals, it is essential to include ethical considerations to ensure that the study is conducted in a manner that is morally responsible and in accordance with professional standards. Here are some steps to help you write ethical considerations:

• Describe the ethical principles: Start by explaining the ethical principles that will guide the research. These could include principles such as respect for persons, beneficence, and justice.
• Discuss informed consent : Informed consent is a critical ethical consideration when conducting research. Explain how you will obtain informed consent from participants, including how you will explain the purpose of the study, potential risks and benefits, and how you will protect their privacy.
• Address confidentiality : Describe how you will protect the confidentiality of the participants’ personal information and data, including any measures you will take to ensure that the data is kept secure and confidential.
• Consider potential risks and benefits : Describe any potential risks or harms to participants that could result from the study and how you will minimize those risks. Also, discuss the potential benefits of the study, both to the participants and to society.
• Discuss the use of animals : If the research involves the use of animals, address the ethical considerations related to animal welfare. Explain how you will minimize any potential harm to the animals and ensure that they are treated ethically.
• Mention the ethical approval : Finally, it’s essential to acknowledge that the research has received ethical approval from the relevant institutional review board or ethics committee. State the name of the committee, the date of approval, and any specific conditions or requirements that were imposed.

When to Write Ethical Considerations

Ethical considerations should be written whenever research involves human subjects or has the potential to impact human beings, animals, or the environment in some way. Ethical considerations are also important when research involves sensitive topics, such as mental health, sexuality, or religion.

In general, ethical considerations should be an integral part of any research project, regardless of the field or subject matter. This means that they should be considered at every stage of the research process, from the initial planning and design phase to data collection, analysis, and dissemination.

Ethical considerations should also be written in accordance with the guidelines and standards set by the relevant regulatory bodies and professional associations. These guidelines may vary depending on the discipline, so it is important to be familiar with the specific requirements of your field.

Purpose of Ethical Considerations

Ethical considerations are an essential aspect of many areas of life, including business, healthcare, research, and social interactions. The primary purposes of ethical considerations are:

• Protection of human rights: Ethical considerations help ensure that people’s rights are respected and protected. This includes respecting their autonomy, ensuring their privacy is respected, and ensuring that they are not subjected to harm or exploitation.
• Promoting fairness and justice: Ethical considerations help ensure that people are treated fairly and justly, without discrimination or bias. This includes ensuring that everyone has equal access to resources and opportunities, and that decisions are made based on merit rather than personal biases or prejudices.
• Promoting honesty and transparency : Ethical considerations help ensure that people are truthful and transparent in their actions and decisions. This includes being open and honest about conflicts of interest, disclosing potential risks, and communicating clearly with others.
• Maintaining public trust: Ethical considerations help maintain public trust in institutions and individuals. This is important for building and maintaining relationships with customers, patients, colleagues, and other stakeholders.
• Ensuring responsible conduct: Ethical considerations help ensure that people act responsibly and are accountable for their actions. This includes adhering to professional standards and codes of conduct, following laws and regulations, and avoiding behaviors that could harm others or damage the environment.

Advantages of Ethical Considerations

Here are some of the advantages of ethical considerations:

• Builds Trust : When individuals or organizations follow ethical considerations, it creates a sense of trust among stakeholders, including customers, clients, and employees. This trust can lead to stronger relationships and long-term loyalty.
• Reputation and Brand Image : Ethical considerations are often linked to a company’s brand image and reputation. By following ethical practices, a company can establish a positive image and reputation that can enhance its brand value.
• Avoids Legal Issues: Ethical considerations can help individuals and organizations avoid legal issues and penalties. By adhering to ethical principles, companies can reduce the risk of facing lawsuits, regulatory investigations, and fines.
• Increases Employee Retention and Motivation: Employees tend to be more satisfied and motivated when they work for an organization that values ethics. Companies that prioritize ethical considerations tend to have higher employee retention rates, leading to lower recruitment costs.
• Enhances Decision-making: Ethical considerations help individuals and organizations make better decisions. By considering the ethical implications of their actions, decision-makers can evaluate the potential consequences and choose the best course of action.
• Positive Impact on Society: Ethical considerations have a positive impact on society as a whole. By following ethical practices, companies can contribute to social and environmental causes, leading to a more sustainable and equitable society.

About the author

Muhammad Hassan

Researcher, Academic Writer, Web developer

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Research Ethics Research Paper

View sample Research Ethics Research Paper. Browse other research paper examples and check the list of research paper topics for more inspiration. iResearchNet offers academic assignment help for students all over the world: writing from scratch, editing, proofreading, problem solving, from essays to dissertations, from humanities to STEM. We offer full confidentiality, safe payment, originality, and money-back guarantee. Secure your academic success with our risk-free services.

Research topics, approaches and contexts bring with them ethical issues—some well understood and easily resolved, some unexplored and potentially risky, and some in which one’s moral outlook is inadequate to the problem. Sometimes the social or political context is such that morally wrong actions are rewarded and morally right acts are punished. Thus, ethical issues in research include conflicts between ethical principles, questions of what action will produce the most good, questions that call for a new outlook or approach, pursuit of personal gain at the expense of others (e.g., research fraud, endangerment of research participants) and research in contexts where the scientist is not free to choose his or her own scientific goals or methods.

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Until issues are understood, scientists can only guess about the risks involved and how to ameliorate them. Although ethical questions are normative (What is the morally right action to take?), answers must often be grounded in scientific inquiry. For example, when investigators first undertook major field research on illegal behavior (e.g., prostitution, drug dealing, child pornography) and promised confidentiality in order to obtain honest responses from informants, perceptive researchers wondered, e.g., Can I protect my data from subpoena, and can I gather valid data otherwise? How serious is the threat of subpoena? Would I go to jail if I were to ignore a subpoena of my data? What will happen to research careers and research in criminal behavior if protection from subpoena cannot be assured? Research by criminologists, sociologists, and political scientists has answered these questions, and led to the development of legal protection of data from subpoena. Research administrators, researchers, and students have learned to use these tools.

Empirical and methodological research coupled with social science theory is used to explicate how ethical issues arise, their possible consequences, and how they might be resolved. This research paper outlines a range of topics and approaches employed in research on research ethics. Other articles herein on ethics provide detailed examples.

Prior to the 1960s, most scientists considered their work value free or inherently good. Some scientific societies developed codes of ethics that were quite general and largely ignored. Some survey researchers worried about possible breaches of confidentiality; and some applied researchers recognized that knowledge is power that may be used for good or evil. However, most researchers were oblivious to the ethical dimension of their work. The field of research on research ethics was beyond the imagination of almost everyone.

With the rise of concern about ethics of human research, scientists found that social and behavioral research methods and theories could be used to explore and resolve problems in research ethics. Government funding for such research began to be offered. Increasingly, scientific societies encouraged such research, scientific journals published the findings, and new journals devoted to ethics and science came into existence.

2. Approaches

Most research on research ethics uses theory, has methodological components and involves empiricism. However, for simplicity, the discussion in this section focuses on main approaches:

2.1 Empirical Research

The entire range of empirical social behavioral research methods may be used in pursuit of empirical answers to ethical questions. For example, survey research methods have been used to assess whether psychology departments comply with federal regulations in the operation of their subject pools. Experimental methods have been used to examine the effects of various approaches to informed consent on comprehension and decision making, and entire research funding programs have invited proposals on this topic. Psychometric methods have been used to study the scientific and ethical values of scientists in various disciplines and their relationship to kinds of problems studied and methods employed (e.g., Kimble 1984, Tarnow 1999). Participant observation methods have been used to study the nature of communication concerning informed consent. Econometric measures have examined the costs and benefits of increased institutional monitoring of human research.

2.2 Methodological Research

Methods of designing and organizing research, evoking and measuring responses, and collecting, storing, and sharing data have ethical implications. For example, does a given procedure or method evoke trust, respect privacy, assure confidentiality, or yield valid results? The design and evaluation of methods to ensure that they meet ethical criteria require methodological research. Two major areas of methodological research in the service of ethics are privacy/confidentiality, and the design of field experiments. The development of methods for protecting subject privacy and data confidentiality has focused on such diverse contexts as interviews, sampling, collecting data from internet chat rooms, and inter-file linkage of shared data. Technological developments increasingly permit unobtrusive observation and measurement of behavior which could destroy trust in major institutions in society; discovering and evaluating uses of such technology have become topics of intense interest (e.g., Agre and Rotenberg 1999). The second major area of intensive methodological research has focused on field settings where rigorous experimental methods with well designed controls are needed, but ethical considerations prohibit jeopardizing the well-being of subjects by placing them in conditions not of their choosing. This has led to development of quasi-experimental methods that are responsive to both ethical and scientific requirements.

2.3 Theoretical Research

This approach conceptualizes and synthesizes what is known about a given ethical problem in the service of ethics and good science. For example, Laufer and Wolfe (1977) developed a theory of privacy that accounts for how age, culture, and status determine persons’ regulation of the access of others to themselves. Thompson (1992) synthesized what is known about youngsters’ age and sensitivity to risks of research. Gunsalus (1998a, 1998b) has summarized the destructive conflicts and institutional mishandling that often surround whistleblowing, and has synthesized best practices for institutional and individual handling of whistleblowing situations.

2.4 Legal Research

The regulatory environment that is growing around scientific endeavors inevitably brings with it ambiguities and conflicts when applied in areas that the lawmakers did not anticipate. Exact standards of research conduct may leave no room for intelligent interpretation or for resolution of conflicting ethical principles. The effort required to follow a given law may be disproportional to the expected results. As examples, Western standards of informed consent and signed consent forms are inappropriate and even disrespectful in many contexts such as fieldwork in cultural anthropology and research in third world cultures. Oral histories often involve sensitive details about living persons but cannot meaningfully be rendered anonymous. Examining and challenging laws governing research and proposing more effective laws requires ability to research and interpret laws in relation to their effect on research within specific disciplines, methods, and research topics.

3. Topics Of Research On Research Ethics

Topics are organized into 17 categories, nested under five major headings:

3.1 Theory, Method And Design Issues. These Background Issues Set The Ethical Context Of Research

3.1.1 Values And Epistemology. Scientists’ beliefs about knowledge and reality determine what are considered valid scientific problems and how data should be collected, organized and disseminated. Whether knowledge is regarded as an unlimited good or as power affects perception of research risks and benefits. Whether reality is regarded as something ‘out there’ or as a construction composed of interaction between investigator and subject influences which methods (e.g., deception) are acceptable.

3.1.2 Validity. To be ethical, research must be valid; otherwise it disrespects subjects and society by producing false information. Conversely, in pursuit of validity, investigators may use unethical methods (e.g., putting subjects at risk). Much research on research ethics focuses on finding ways to optimize both beneficence to participants and validity of findings.

3.1.3 Equitable Treatment Of Participants. Procedural and distributive justice issues may arise in planning, conducting, and applying research. Who sponsors the research? Who benefits? Will the results be used in a way that may harm the subjects or their culture? How are subjects selected? How is the power of the researcher balanced against that of the subjects? What kinds of control groups are acceptable? Who sponsors and pays for the research? When is it unethical to withhold information about sponsorship from subjects?

3.2 Risk And Benefit

The perspective of scientists is influenced by their research objectives, culture, and experience with the circumstances of those studied. A narrow perspective may negate the promise of scientific research to be beneficial. Research on risk and benefit seeks to broaden this perspective and enhance the value of research to subjects, their community, researchers, their institution, funders, science, and society. Risks and benefits are generic to all ethical considerations and research topics. However, specific risks vary markedly in relation to the research context (e.g., laboratory, community, school, workplace, hospital, prison).

3.2.1 Risk, Wrong, And Harm. How does one weigh moral wrongs (e.g., deceiving subjects), versus risks of harm? What determines perception of risk and safety? How can this determination be reached accurately and usefully? How can risk, wrong or harm be assessed?

3.2.2 Benefit And Promise. Benefit is the moral justification of research, but it is often simply taken on faith that research is, by definition, beneficial. How are benefits identified, estimated, and maximized? Who benefits? Often research has little likelihood of benefiting society; does the researcher therefore have a duty to benefit the subjects or their community directly via some services, products, training, or job opportunities connected with the research?

3.2.3 Risk Benefit Assessment. The price of scientific knowledge is risk and financial cost. How is risk justified in relation to benefit? What is the risk or cost to society of research opportunities that are lost due to financial, regulatory, or political pressures? (e.g., see Rosenthal and Rosnow 1984.)

3.3 Agreements And Communication

Research participants have some understanding of what is occurring; how correct and complete is that understanding? How informed and autonomous is the decision to participate?

3.3.1 Informed Consent. There are many possible modes of communication between researcher and subject about the purpose, procedure, and intended outcome of research. What modes are most effective? What information should be included? How can comprehension and decision making ability be enhanced, especially when subject competency (e.g., of children, institutionalized persons, the mentally ill) is at issue? When must guardians and gatekeepers be included in the consent process?

3.3.2 Deception. This may include concealment, mental reservation, lying, self-deception, and distraction of subjects from the main purpose of the study in order to study spontaneous behavior. Deception raises many difficult questions, e.g., how does deception affect persons across their life span? What are methodological alternatives to deception? When is deception acceptable?

3.3.3 Relationships As A Source Of Data. Qualitative research may involve getting to know persons then reporting on some aspect of their lives, often from a critical perspective that differs from the way the persons describe themselves. How is the research problem defined and is this disclosed to the persons? The nature of the relationship, as perceived by the participant and the researcher, may affect how the research problem is defined, how the data are collected and organized, how the research report is framed, how the results are disseminated and used, and whether the participant is wronged or harmed by this incursion into his or her private life. With the advent of the Internet, researchers are now free to observe or participate in chat room discussions of quite personal and intimate topics. What are their responsibilities to those they study? Should they reveal their presence as researchers? Will subjects’ knowledge of the researchers’ presence have a chilling effect on their chat room participation? What steps should be taken to disguise the identity of the chat room and its participants?

3.4 Acquisition, Presentation And Use Of Data

The many facets of privacy, confidentiality, and data use have been topics of much theory, and subsequent empirical and methodological research.

3.4.1 Privacy. The need to establish boundaries between oneself and others is universal, but differs depending on learning, cultural, social, and developmental factors. People may want to disclose to researchers more than the researcher wants to know, or lie to protect privacy. Researchers’ views on privacy may be inadequate for judging what privacies others want, expect, or create. How can researchers learn what people consider as private and respect that privacy? What new threats to privacy are emerging? New technology brings with it new threats to privacy, but also more powerful safeguards, and a new generation of privacy activists to establish better policies for deterring invasions of privacy.

3.4.2 Confidentiality. Part of the informed consent process typically includes an agreement about how the researcher will limit access of others to individually identifiable data. Many risks to confidentiality are not immediately obvious, e.g., subpoena of data, theft from computer files, or deductive identification. How can researchers understand sources of risk to confidentiality and prevent their occurrence? A wide range of statistical, procedural, and legal solutions continue to be developed.

3.4.3 Uses Of Data: Data Sharing And Dissemination. How should scientific data be disseminated and used? Some data such as videotaped data cannot be rendered anonymous as individuals might be recognized; what safeguards are appropriate to protect the privacy of the research participants? Who may be benefited or harmed? Should harmful data be suppressed? How is misunderstanding of findings avoided? What should be included or omitted? What are effects of various modes of dissemination? What is the obligation of scientists to contribute to the scientific literacy of society? How should raw data be documented, archived and shared? Who owns data and knowledge (intellectual property)?

3.5 External Influences On Research

3.5.1 Government Regulations. Studies of the regulatory process contribute to the development and improvement of research regulation.

3.5.2 Institutional Review Boards. Studies of IRBs focus on their processes, and on their effects on science.

3.5.3 Questionable, Taboo Or Controversial Topics Of Research. Some espouse prohibiting research that could cause irreparable social harm, produce misleading findings, or be used in politically harmful ways. Which is more harmful, suppression or publication of such research? Studies of the impact of research that blames the victim or otherwise seems to misdirect society’s response to problems seek to answer this difficult question.

3.5.4 Scientific Integrity And Responsibility. Pressures to obtain grants and to publish may interfere with self-correcting scientific procedures, and motivate scientists to resort to unethical practices or outright fraud e.g., fabrication of data, plagiarism. Research has investigated conditions that inhibit or facilitate scientific responsibility.

3.5.5 Ethics And Politics. Scientists who investigate controversial topics may be accused of scientific irresponsibility. Charges of scientific irresponsibility or immorality often mask profound political disagreements. Who sponsors or employs the researcher and how the data are used raise complex ethical and political questions. Because these issues usually arise in highly partisan settings, the ensuing conflict often fails to enlighten either side. Analysis of specific case studies can clarify the issues somewhat and suggest guidelines and safeguards.

3.5.6 Animal Rights Activism. An extraordinarily high degree of political activism has surrounded animal research. In what ways has this stimulated the advancement of theory and methodology? In what ways has it damaged scientific endeavors? Controversy surrounding specific cases of activism is usually aimed at proving the other side wrong, rather than resolving conflicts. Scholarly examination of activism and of the changes that have occurred as a consequence of conflict holds promise of guiding scientists to methods and principles that are both more acceptable morally and more beneficial scientifically.

3.5.7 Education In Research Ethics. In recent decades, there has been increasing concern to educate scientists and research administrators about issues of ethics. The goals have been, variously, to impart greater sensitivity to ethical issues, to teach approaches to conducting research ethically, and to examine and interpret current laws and regulations governing research. A variety of educational formats have been employed within Western societies. The rise of worldwide research programs on sensitive issues such as the epidemiology of AIDS and the intense ethical concerns this has raised, has now resulted in the development of ethics education programs in collaboration with scientists and applied ethicists in Third World countries. Despite significant expenditures on research ethics education, there is little understanding of the effects of these various education programs, of the relative effectiveness of the diverse approaches to teaching, or even of the best ways to measure their effectiveness.

While ethical theory and codes of ethics offer important general guidance, intelligent application requires understanding of how ethical problems may arise and of effective solutions to those problems. By its nature, social behavioral research continues into new territory, raises new ethical issues, and requires research to explicate those issues and, where possible, to develop better methodology. Such research may be conducted as part of a project that raises an ethical issue, or as a ‘stand alone’ research activity. It may be the main focus or a sideline of one’s research career. Whatever its origins, it deepens and broadens the ability of social and behavioral research to respect and be responsive to human (or animal) nature, to produce more valid results, and to better serve society.

Bibliography:

• Agre P E, Rotenberg M 1999 Technology and Privacy. MIT Press, Cambridge, MA
• Gunsalus C 1998a Preventing the need for whistleblowing: Practical advice for university administrators. Scientific and Engineering Ethics 4: 75–94
• Gunsalus C 1998b How to blow the whistle and still have a career afterwards. Scientific and Engineering Ethics 4: 51–64
• Kimble G 1984 Psychology’s two cultures. American Psychologist 39: 833–9
• Laufer R, Wolfe M 1977 Privacy as a concept and a social issue: A multidimensional developmental theory. Journal of Social Issues 33: 44–87
• Rosenthal R, Rosnow R 1984 Applying Hamlet’s question to the ethical conduct of research: A conceptual addendum. American Psychologist 39: 561–3
• Stanley B, Sieber J, Melton G 1996 Research Ethics: A Psychological Approach. University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE
• Tarnow E 1999 The authorship list in science. Scientific and Engineering Ethics 5: 73–88
• Thompson R 1992 Developmental changes in research risk and benefit: A changing calculus of concerns. In: Stanley B, Sieber J (eds.) Social Research on Children and Adolescents. Sage, Newbury Park, CA

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