Why are ethics in sex research important Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Why are ethics in sex research important - Essay Example For example, confidentiality is a key issue in sex research and it is enhanced when ethics are observed during the data collection process (McLaughlin 69). Ethics in sex research also help in gaining the support of the public for the research being conducted. Ethical behavior ensures that researchers observe integrity and conduct high quality research, as a result of which the public can fund such an initiative since it is being conducted with adherence to the set standards. Adherence to ethics in sex research is also important since it contributes to the promotion of social and moral values. While conducting sex research, it is essential to respect human rights, observe the law, as well as be socially responsible. In addition, it is important to ensure that the health and safety of the subjects being used in the research are guaranteed. When there are ethical lapses during sex research, the human subjects taking part in the research will be harmed and this is morally wrong (Ritzer and Ryan 546). Ethics in research are also vital since they help researchers to avoid discriminating their subjects. As an ethical obligation, researchers should treat all subjects equally and avoid discriminating some subjects when conducting research. Observing the code of ethics is also crucial in sex research since it enables researchers to abide by the law. Moreover, adherence to norms of research is an indication that the researchers are competent and the research results are valid and reliable. Respect for ethics is a prerequisite for professionalism and competence when conducting research. When researchers observe ethics during sex research, they manage to respect the dignity of humans, autonomy, as well as privacy of the subjects involved in research. In addition, ethical conduct enables researchers to take the necessary precautions, especially when dealing with vulnerable subjects (McLaughlin 70) When conducting sex research, there are a number of