Final answer:
In a study, participants must be selected fairly and they must give informed consent. Risks must be minimized and confidentiality preserved. An Institutional Review Board oversees these ethical requirements to ensure compliance.
Step-by-step explanation:
To ensure fair selection and treatment of participants in a study, researchers must adhere to the following principles:
- Voluntary Participation: Participation should be voluntary with participants fully informed about the study’s nature and potential risks. This is known as informed consent.
- Fair Selection of Subjects: The selection process should be equitable, without giving preferential treatment to any group or individual.
- Confidentiality: The privacy of participants must be respected and maintained throughout the research process.
- Minimization of Risks: Any potential risks to participants should be minimized and should never outweigh the benefits of the research.
- Significance for Society: The study should be designed to yield results that are beneficial for society.
Institutions usually have an Institutional Review Board (IRB) to oversee the ethical aspects of a study, ensuring that all the abovementioned principles are followed.