HUMAN RESEARCH ETHICS AND INTEGRITY: A Tale of Respect, Merit, Justice, and Beneficence

Human research ethics review may be viewed by researchers as each of a boon and a curse; as a catalyst for thoughtful planning of research that respects the humanity of people engaged in the work, and as a barrier to simply getting important research done without delay. Such bouquets and brickbats perhaps misrepresent the integrated role ethics and integrity should play in the research process, not as externalities to the practice of research but rather as core elements of the research continuum itself. Consideration of the ethical aspects of research cannot—and must not—be separated from how research is conceived, planned, conducted, or reported. This introductory chapter sets out key issues that are explored in this edited collection, the central aim of which is to highlight some of the emerging and ongoing key ethical debates and challenges specific to the Australian research context—especially in the conduct of research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities—and offer ways forward in mitigating risks, maximising benefit, doing good, and preventing harm.