ethical approval

Ethical approval is a formal process that researchers must go through to ensure their studies involving human participants are conducted responsibly and ethically. Before starting a research project, scientists submit their plans to an ethics review board, which examines the proposed methods to safeguard participants' rights, well-being, and privacy. The board ensures that the research has valid scientific purpose, minimizes harm, and obtains informed consent. Ethical approval helps maintain public trust in research and protects vulnerable individuals, ensuring that studies contribute positively to knowledge without compromising ethical standards.