Which ethical principles govern research involving human participants?

• A. Deception is allowed to improve participation.
• B. Informed consent, minimization of risk, respect for persons, beneficence, and IRB oversight.
• C. No IRB oversight is needed for minimal risk studies.
• D. Researchers decide consent without participant input.

Answer: (B)

The fundamental idea is that research involving human participants must protect people through established ethical principles, including informed consent, minimization of risk, respect for persons, beneficence, and oversight by an Institutional Review Board (IRB).

Informed consent ensures that individuals understand what the study involves, the potential risks and benefits, and that their participation is voluntary with the option to withdraw at any time. Minimization of risk means designing the study to reduce potential harms and ensuring that any remaining risks are reasonable in relation to the anticipated benefits. Respect for persons recognizes the autonomy of individuals and provides extra protections for those with diminished autonomy. Beneficence requires aiming to maximize benefits while minimizing harms; this is closely tied to the principle of nonmaleficence, which is to do no harm. IRB oversight provides independent review of the study to confirm that risks are justified, appropriate safeguards are in place, and participants’ rights and privacy are protected.

Deception is not a blanket grant; it is allowed only in specific cases where it is justified and followed by thorough debriefing. Some minimal-risk studies still undergo IRB review or exemptions, rather than having no oversight at all. Consent cannot be decided unilaterally by researchers without participant input; participants must give voluntary, informed consent.