Global Research Ethics: Case Studies from International Research Contexts

Global Research Ethics is a guide for students and their instructors as well as practitioners and researchers to understand topics linked to research ethics from a more global perspective. Research plays a key role in identifying health disparity trends and evaluating interventions to improve the health and well-being of the populations at the individual, local, national, and global levels. Conducting ethically sound research is imperative in these contexts.

This book (a) uses case studies to offer examples of current research ethical dilemmas and (b) considers regulatory and cultural frameworks in a number of country contexts that highlight diverse methods of identifying and managing these ethical dilemmas. Chapters cover different types (groups) of participants, issues in research, and ways of doing research; then each chapter looks at least three exemplar case studies with at least two analytical commentaries. Case studies include health and social care research, and originate from countries such as Brazil, Chile, South Africa, Botswana, Australia and New Zealand, as well as the U.S. and U.K. The different viewpoints showcased will allow for dialogue to ensue about the ways in which populations and topics in research need to be conceptualized.

Global Research Ethics is suitable for all undergraduates and postgraduates on research methods courses in the social and health sciences. It provides academic researchers, students, and community partners with guidelines to reflect on as they develop their own research studies.

Caren J. Frost is an Associate Vice President for Research Integrity & Compliance (AVPRIC) and a Research Professor in the College of Social Work at the University of Utah, USA. Her areas of expertise are in qualitative research methods, women’s health, and research integrity.

Lisa H. Gren is a mixed methods researcher working in Utah, USA, and globally. She focuses on collaborative approaches to systems changes that are responsive to health concerns identified by community members. She served as an IRB reviewer for eight years and trains graduate students on ethical research practices in community settings.

L. Scott Benson is an Infectious Disease trained physician who also holds a doctoral degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering. He has been working globally for over 20 years in the Dominican Republic, Peru, Ghana and Pakistan. His main focus is the spread of infectious diseases to human populations from the environment.

Margaret Carlson is currently working on her doctorate in Public Health and has worked in clinical research for the past 7 years. Her experience is in both adult and pediatric research with a background in regulatory administration and implementation.