Nursing research ethics

Abstract

Uncertainty exists in the strategies adopted to ensure nursing research is ethical. Currently available codes and guidelines demonstrate some limitations. Local research ethics committees (LRECs) appear to be medically dominated, biased against nursing research, uncertain of the criteria by which they make judgements and, in some cases, harmful to those who make submissions. There is some evidence of a lack of equity in the treatment of nursing research and of research methods. Two strategies adopted to scrutinise nursing research are explored: nursing research ethics committees in higher education and in health service settings (trusts or hospitals). The limitations of these strategies in tackling the basic problems of LRECs are indicated, and alternatives are discussed. [NT Research 1996; 1: 3, 184-190]