Define research ethics and explain why ethics approval is required for social science studies involving human participants.

Define research ethics and explain why ethics approval is required for social science studies involving human participants.

• A. Ethics approval is optional for social science research.
• B. Research ethics govern the rights and welfare of participants; ethics approval ensures risk is minimized, informed consent is obtained, confidentiality is protected, and the study complies with legal and professional standards.
• C. Ethics is only about avoiding plagiarism.
• D. Ethics approvals are only needed for medical research.

Answer: (B)