Ethical Considerations in Research
Ethical consideration is essential during research studies to safeguard the integrity and
respect of respondents involved in the study. All the underlying moral issues below were
considered:
Confidentiality. To protect participants' privacy, the research strictly adhered to
confidentiality and anonymity protocols. Personal information was anonymized, with identifiers
removed to prevent the possibility of linking responses back to individual students. Data was
securely stored, and only the research team had access to it. The researchers used alternative
names like C1, C2, C3, and so on instead of using real names when recording data, ensuring
that individual identities remained confidential. This practice-built trust and encouraged
openness among participants.
Informed Consent. Before participating in the study, all participants were provided with
detailed information about the research objectives, methods, potential risks, and benefits. They
were made aware of the purpose of the study, knowing that their participation was entirely
voluntary, and their freedom to discontinue involvement at any moment without facing any
negative consequences. Consent forms were distributed and signed to confirm that participants
understood the study and agreed to take part voluntarily.
Result communication. The researchers were committed to communicating the results of
the study ethically and responsibly. Participants were assured that the findings would be
presented in a way that respected their confidentiality and did not misrepresent their views. The
results were communicated in aggregate form, avoiding any references that could identify
individual participants. This dissemination was carried out in a manner that upheld the integrity
of the data and respected the contributions of the participants.
Voluntary Participation. The researchers ensured that participants had given full
autonomy to their participation. Unjust coercion was not tolerated, and participants may
withdraw from the survey at any time, even after giving consent, without providing a reason.
