Module 7: Understanding the Ethical Considerations of Nursing Research & Evidence-Based Practice Implementation
Module 7: Understanding the Ethical Considerations of Nursing Research & Evidence-Based Practice Implementation
Ethical considerations provide the essential foundation for nursing research and evidence-based practice, ensuring that human dignity and safety are consistently protected. Al Maqbali (2024) notes that the development of these standards reflects a sustained effort to balance scientific advancement with the protection of individual rights. As healthcare continues to progress, historical lessons underscore the critical need to safeguard participants and maintain professional integrity in all forms of research. These guiding principles not only ensure the well-being of patients but also empower nurses to make thoughtful and accountable decisions in their professional roles (Mabweazara et al., 2025). This discussion examines the significant historical influences that have shaped ethical codes, ensuring they remain relevant and responsive to the evolving landscape of healthcare practice.
Nursing practice has drawn much of its ethical foundation from the lessons learned through the history of healthcare research. One defining event was the Nuremberg Trials after World War II, which revealed the devastating consequences of unethical experiments conducted on vulnerable populations without consideration for their rights or safety. In direct response, developers of the Nuremberg Code established voluntary consent as a fundamental principle and required researchers to protect all participants strictly. Bernstorff and Mensching (2023) emphasize that this milestone imposed a clear responsibility on nurses and healthcare professionals to uphold human dignity while contributing to knowledge. It reinforced that scientific progress cannot be justified at the expense of human welfare and firmly established ethical, patient-centered standards in research practices.
Another significant event that greatly influenced the development of ethical codes was the Tuskegee Syphilis Study in the United States. In this study, African American men were deceived and deliberately denied effective treatment so researchers could observe the natural progression of the disease. This gross violation of human rights resulted in immense suffering and represented a profound betrayal of trust. The public outrage that followed emphasized the urgent need for honesty, justice, and respect in all research involving human participants. According to Zbar (2022), the scandal led to the creation of stricter federal regulations and the establishment of institutional review boards aimed at promoting transparency and preventing exploitation. The lessons from Tuskegee highlight that ethical care requires compassion, accountability, and unwavering patient advocacy.
The Nuremberg Trials had a profound and lasting influence on the ethical codes that govern healthcare research today. The Nuremberg Code, which emerged from these proceedings, clearly established voluntary consent as a non-negotiable requirement and mandated that researchers fully inform all participants of potential risks before their involvement in research. This principle has since become a cornerstone of international guidelines and nursing research standards, consistently emphasizing that human welfare must always take precedence over scientific ambition (Bernstorff & Mensching, 2023). For nurses, this influence translates into daily practices that respect patient autonomy while prioritizing safety in all aspects of research. The continued emphasis on informed consent has strengthened the trust and integrity essential to ethical relationships between healthcare professionals and those they serve.
The Tuskegee Syphilis Study led to critical reforms that reshaped research oversight in the United States and had a lasting impact on global practices. Tariq (2025) explains that its exposure led to the creation of the Belmont Report, which established respect for persons, beneficence, and justice as essential principles of ethical research. These values now guide institutional review boards as they evaluate proposals to ensure fairness, transparency, and the protection of participants. For nurses, this ethical framework promotes a deeper understanding of justice and enhances their role in advocating for vulnerable populations. The study’s legacy highlights that ethical responsibility goes beyond compliance, requiring vigilance, compassion, and accountability in conducting research and applying evidence-based practice in patient care..
Ethical awareness in nursing research remains an essential guiding force that safeguards both the integrity of science and the well-being of humanity. The lessons of history have shown that healthcare professionals bear a profound responsibility when advancing knowledge, ensuring that progress never comes at the expense of compassion, dignity, or justice. Nurses hold a crucial role in sustaining these values, as they bridge the gap between evidence and the lived experiences of patient care. The strength of ethical codes is found not only in formal regulations but also in the dedication of professionals to act with empathy, accountability, and vigilance. In this way, research continues to be meaningful, trustworthy, and deeply respectful of humanity while promoting responsible advancements in healthcare.
References
Al Maqbali, M. (2024). Ethics in nursing research. In Essential Research for Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing Care (pp. 107–119). Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-78298-5_5
Mabweazara, G. M., Chekero, T., Mutembedza, T. E., & Mhazo, P. (2025). Lessons from the frontline: Navigating the complexities of qualitative research, reflections from early-career researchers. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 24, 16094069251360310. https://doi.org/10.1177/160940692513603
Tariq, M. U. (2025). The Belmont report: Guiding ethical principles in human research. In IRB, human research protections, and data ethics for researchers (pp. 245–268). IGI Global Scientific Publishing. https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3693-3848-3.ch010
von Bernstorff, J., & Mensching, E. L. (2023). The dark legacy of Nuremberg: Inhumane air warfare, judicial desuetude and the demise of the principle of distinction in International Humanitarian Law. Leiden Journal of International Law, 36(4), 1117–1140. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0922156523000377
Zbar, A. P. (2022). Syphilitic politics: Ethical breaches, the Tuskegee experiment and beyond. In Syphilis: A Short Biography (pp. 103-127). Cham: Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-08968-8_6
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Discussion Question:
Describe two historical events that have influenced the development of ethical codes and regulations for nursing and healthcare research. Explain how each event has impacted ethical codes and regulations.