Chapter 17: Achieving Consensus in Research Ethics: An Interim Conclusion and Some Recommendations

The aim of this concluding chapter is to address how we can build upon the efforts of the contributors to this collection to enable positive steps to be taken to advance morally sound research practice and quality research outcomes. The authors here have made contributions to the foundational work in research ethics and scientific integrity, and there has been recognition of the common elements across all disciplines and fields which limit the harms that can come of research engagements and help to enhance the potential for benefit. As stated earlier, one can never assume a static position in research ethics since there are always new contexts to take account of, new sites to investigate and new cultural, political and economic challenges to meet. Hence all ‘conclusions’ to such work can only be ‘interim’ since there will always be new issues to address.