ABSTRACT
This chapter revisits the foundations of research ethics and the role of Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) in safeguarding ethical conduct. It surveys major ethical theories – including deontological duty-based ethics, utilitarian consequentialism, virtue ethics, and care ethics – to illustrate how each framework guides researchers in distinguishing right from wrong. The chapter emphasizes that for contemporary doctoral students, mastering these theories and the IRB process is not a mere bureaucratic hurdle but a vital part of scholarly rigor and integrity. Practical guidance is provided on working constructively with IRBs, understanding their review criteria, and practicing reflexivity in ethical decision-making. In an era of big data and AI), the chapter concludes that formal regulations alone are insufficient; researchers must also cultivate an ethical mindset and continuously engage in moral reasoning throughout their projects.
