Seven ethical requirements for quantitative and qualitative research in nursing: experiences of three research ethics committees from Santiago, Chile

Abstract

Scientific research is one of the tools that strengthen the nursing discipline by generating new knowledge, which provides theoretical support and contributes the necessary evidence to improve nursing care performance of health professionals in all their practical and theoretical activities. Subsequent to the historical events related with research on human beings performed during the 20th century, in which researchers favored the search of new knowledge and were particularly concerned with achieving their scientific successes rather than taking care of the well-being of the individual study patient, brought about the first laws, codes and a bill of rights to regulate research from an ethical point of view. Their purpose was to avoid actions or situations which could attempt against the basic principles of respect to the human dignity. Today, when carrying out a research project it is not only necessary to rigorously apply each one of the steps of the scientific method, but also to comply thoroughly with the ethical aspects. In that context, the concerns regarding the ethical aspects involved in research on human beings demand the review of the principles and requirements that such investigations must comply with in order to be considered ethical. The present document intends to analyze the seven ethical requirements proposed by Ezekiel Emanuel to quantitative studies also to qualitative research paradigms. His requirements should be taken into account by the nursing professional when planning and carrying out a research project during undergraduate, graduate or certification programs, as well as members of research ethics committees that review and approve research projects.