What is a primary goal of ethical guidelines in research?

The primary goal of ethical guidelines in research centers on ensuring participant safety and dignity. Ethical guidelines are established to protect the rights and well-being of individuals who participate in research studies. This includes safeguarding participants from potential harm, ensuring their privacy, and obtaining informed consent before involvement. Upholding these ethical standards contributes to the integrity of the research process, fostering trust between researchers and participants, and promoting responsible conduct in research activities.

In contrast, limiting the scope of the study does not align with the main objectives of ethical guidelines, which focus on protection rather than constraint. Maximizing profit from research is not a consideration in ethical guidelines, as research should prioritize ethical considerations over financial gain. Similarly, promoting competitive research practices conflicts with the intention of ethical guidelines, which aim to maintain a standard of care and respect for participants above the drive for competition among researchers.