The aim of this article is to take relational ethics concepts and apply them to the context of application to research ethics committees for approval to carry out research. The process of a multinational qualitative research application is described. The article suggests that a relational ethics approach can address two issues: how qualitative proposals are interpreted by research ethics committees and how this safeguards potentially vulnerable respondents. In relational terms, the governance of a research project may be enhanced by shared (...) ownership and willingness to engage in mutual dialogue. This challenges both researchers and research ethics committees to reframe their understanding of roles and functions in the assessment of research protocols, particularly those of a qualitative nature and those that address end-of-life issues. (shrink)

Ethical codes have been widely put in place by professional associations, universities and other organizations. They observe common standards and procedures which are applied and adapted to local or specialist needs. The early codes such as that of Nuremberg exclusively addressed the rights of participants. This article detects a shift in emphasis. The argument relies on a distinction between morality and ethics and it is contended that ethical codes legitimize kinds of practice that are morally unprincipled. In modern formulations of (...) research ethics there is a tendency to abdicate responsibility for the protection of rights and interests and to pass it from researchers to participants or subjects. The concern is rather more for the security of investigators than for that of participants. It is recognized that codes are here to stay but suggestions are made to recover the spirit of Nuremberg. (shrink)