Gaining ethics approval for health professions education research

Within health professions education (HPE), there is a well-established and expanding literature offering empirical evidence to inform pedagogic practice. Research ethics refers to the set of professional standards and principles that should be followed to ensure that work is conducted in a responsible and legitimate manner. Conducting scholarly inquiry within educational practice can be categorized as either research or evaluation, but boundaries between the two approaches may be blurred. Ethical risks in HPE research include coercion, psychological stress and infringement upon data privacy. This review considers ethical considerations at each stage of the research process and makes practical recommendations for the HPE researcher.

Automated summary

The field of health professions education has a well-established literature providing empirical evidence to guide teaching practices, and research ethics are crucial to ensure work is conducted responsibly and legitimately. Ethical risks in HPE research include coercion, psychological stress, and privacy infringement. Conducting scholarly inquiry in educational practice can be categorized as research or evaluation, with blurred boundaries between the two approaches.