Core Principles of Research Ethics
MSU expects all researchers to embrace the following core principles:
- Honesty and Integrity: Researchers must be honest in all aspects of their research, including data collection, analysis, interpretation, and reporting. Fabrication, falsification, and plagiarism are strictly prohibited.
- Objectivity: Researchers should strive to minimize bias in all aspects of their work, from experimental design to data interpretation.
- Respect for Persons: Research involving human participants must respect their autonomy, rights, and dignity. Informed consent is essential, and vulnerable populations require special consideration.
- Beneficence and Non-Maleficence: Research should aim to maximize benefits for individuals and society while minimizing risks and potential harm to participants.
- Justice: Research should be conducted fairly and equitably, with consideration for the distribution of benefits and burdens across different groups.
- Confidentiality and Privacy: Researchers must protect the confidentiality and privacy of participants’ data and personal information.
- Accountability: Researchers are accountable for their actions and should be willing to address concerns or complaints about potential breaches of ethical standards.
- Openness and Transparency: Research methods, data, and results should be shared openly and transparently, where appropriate, to promote collaboration and reproducibility.
- Due Diligence: Researchers should be aware of and comply with all relevant laws, regulations, institutional policies, and professional standards governing their research.
- Respect for Intellectual Property: Researchers must respect patents, copyrights, and other forms of intellectual property. Proper attribution and citation are essential.