Final answer:
The nurse researcher's use of strategies to minimize subjects' anxiety during interviews demonstrates the ethical principle of beneficence, which focuses on the well-being and fair treatment of research participants.
Step-by-step explanation:
When addressing highly emotional issues, a nurse researcher uses interview strategies to minimize subjects' anxiety. This practice most clearly represents the ethical principle of beneficence. Beneficence involves researchers acting in ways that benefit the participants, ensuring they are treated fairly and with their interests considered. It seeks to advance the good of the research subjects in addition to advancing science. By using strategies to reduce anxiety, the nurse researcher is actively working to benefit the participants and protect them from potential harm. This is consistent with the overarching principle of beneficence, which includes preserving the well-being of participants in health care and research settings.