What does the term "research ethics" encompass?

The term "research ethics" refers to the moral principles and standards that guide researchers in their interactions with participants and the conduct of research. It encompasses the need to uphold integrity and responsibility towards all individuals involved in a study, including ensuring informed consent, confidentiality, and minimizing harm. This ethical framework is essential for fostering trust and respect between researchers and participants, and it helps to protect the welfare and rights of those involved in research.

In contrast, the other options focus on specific technical aspects of research rather than the overarching ethical considerations. Guidelines for analysis of quantitative data and rules for statistical significance testing pertain to the methodologies and statistical processes rather than ethical responsibilities. Methods for data collection, while important, do not specifically address the ethical obligations researchers have towards participants. Therefore, focusing on the standards that uphold integrity and responsibility towards participants is central to understanding what research ethics truly entails.