Upholding Ethical Considerations
It is imperative that the highest ethical standards are upheld through each phase of a study ( see 🔗 Mitigating Ethical Risks: PDF↓). Research ethics ensure that we are accountable to, and build a relationship of trust and mutual respect with, study participants - this relationship is also critical to obtaining high-quality, reliable data. Research ethics also ensure that the public can trust the study findings, and are required for publication.
All studies at the IRC are reviewed to ensure that ethical principles are respected.
Does your study need IRC’s Institutional Review Board approval or advice? See IRB documents -> and see decision tree below.
What are specific ethical issues that emerge in humanitarian research?
Based on years of conducting research, we know there are specific concerns that can emerge. For instance, how do we think about a comparison group when needs are immense in an acute setting? How do we ensure we have appropriate ethical reviews for research in acute emergencies that does not delay implementation of potentially life-saving services? How do we analyze risks along ethical, religious, or other identities that may be particularly important considerations in conflict-affected settings? How doe we work with and for survivors of violence? Check out additional tools on the context specific issues and vulnerable populations below.
For peer-reviewed analyses on these issues, please check out:
— Go to vulnerable populations documents page ⇨
Download key ethics documents:
🔗 COVID 19 and Research & Learning Ethics: PDF↓
🔗 Human Subjects Research - Definition: DOC↓
🔗 Guidance on Community Participation and Local Advisory Groups: PDF↓ NEW
🔗Community Participation and Local Advisory Groups - Ethics Training: PPT↓ NEW
🔗 Ethical Guidance in Rapid Onset Emergencies: PDF↓(UNDER CONSTRUCTION)
