Introduction
Protection of research participants has evidently emerged as one of those potential areas that require close monitoring and control. In doing this, there has been a recent development and establishment of several legal and scientific agencies that operate to enhance the ethical standards of research initiatives (Ferderman, Hanna, & Rodriguez, 2003). Nursing research includes one of those areas that have drawn significant debate and interests as it deals exclusively with human participants. This discussion addresses the nursing research, its legal and ethical issues, associated guidelines, and the processes of protecting the participants. It also analyses the special considerations for the at-risk groups.
Legal and Ethical Issues Relevant To Nursing Research
Plagiarism, cheating, and forgery include some of the serious ethical issues that must be considered. Moreover, there are issues dealing with informed consent of the participants in the research (Houser, 2012). There should also be an empirically logical and understandable approach to recruitment of participants into the nursing study. Non-malfeasance is a critical ethical principle that relates to the specific way in which the researchers have to protect their participants non-discriminatively. Respect of human dignity must be accorded during nursing research. Instances of coercion must be largely avoided if the research is to remain ethical and legal. Moreover, all upcoming researches must undergo a legal and ethical scrutiny done by specialized committees that are legally set within authorities (Houser, 2012).
IRB Guidelines
The Institutional Review Board (IRB) refers to the solitary ethics board with the obligation of approving, monitoring, and reviewing the biomedical or behavioral studies that involve human beings (Bankert & Amdur, 2006). The IRB frameworks are operational to aid the protection of the liberties and the welfare or participants. Additionally, the guidelines seek to enhance matters of privacy or confidentiality entitlements of all persons involved in specific researches.
The board is generally composed of senior empiricists as well as non-scientists who operate with an objective of monitoring the safety and guard of human participants in studies. The IRB is seen to act according to the federal provisions. The IRB is required to analyze any grant proposal meant for any research (Bankert & Amdur, 2006). This is basically to make sure that the research protocol remains in compliance with the specifications. The issues of informed consent and vulnerable populations are given heavy considerations in the IRB.
Procedures of Protection for All Participants
The participants must be given chance for informed consent by all researchers or investigators. This entails the vivid and truthful explanation of the basic details of the research to be conducted (Ferderman, Hanna, & Rodriguez, 2003). The process potentially protects the participants from engaging in the research against their will. There are specific guidelines for confidentiality and privacy rights that must be accorded to all participants.
Special Considerations for At-Risk Populations
The most at-risk populations may consist of expectant mothers, fetuses as well as neonates. Prisoners, children and persons with cognitive impairment are also classified to be at-risk. The Belmont Report classifies the majority in this group to be having a diminished autonomy (Ferderman, Hanna, & Rodriguez, 2003). Therefore, they need special attention as well as considerations during research. Issues of informed consent are differently administered to them.
Conclusion
It should be noted that conducting research using the human being is never a right. Therefore the ethical and legal responsibilities associated must be adequately honored by all researchers. The several mechanisms for research oversight such as the IRB have a critical role of facilitating studies and guarding its integrity.
References
Bankert, E. & Amdur, R. (2006). Institutional review board: Management and function. Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett.
Ferderman, D., Hanna, K. & Rodriguez, L. (2003). Responsible research: A systems approach to protecting research participants. Washington DC: National academies press.
Houser, J. (2012). Nursing research: Reading, using, and creating evidence. Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.