Nursing research ethics, guidance and application in practice

Ethics is fundamental to good research practice and the protection of society. From a historical point of view research ethics has had a chequered past and without due cognisance there is always the potential for research to do harm. Research ethics is fundamental to research practice, nurse education and the development of evidence. In conducting research, it is important to plan for and anticipate any potential or actual risks. To engage in research, researchers need to develop an understanding and knowledge of research ethics and carefully plan how to address ethics within their research. This article aims to enhance students’ and novice researchers’ research ethics understanding and its application to nursing research.