Ethics review of research: is there a need?

Abstract

Ethics review of a research protocol by an independent ethics review committee (ERC) is an integral aspect in the conduct of research and aims to safeguard the rights, welfare and wellbeing of research participants. The ethical review process can be time consuming for both the researcher and the members of the ERC and may be considered unnecessary where the risk is minimal. This article discusses the need to regulate research through ethics review, the key issues that are important in such reviews and discusses how the problems that may arise in this process can be reduced.

Keywords

• Medical research
• Ethics review