What constitutes an ethical dilemma in research?

An ethical dilemma in research arises specifically when ethical standards conflict with research practices. This means that researchers may encounter situations where they need to balance their obligations to adhere to ethical guidelines—such as informed consent, confidentiality, and beneficence—against the demands or dynamics of their research projects. For instance, a researcher might face a scenario where obtaining full informed consent could compromise the validity of the study or where participant safety might be at odds with the research goals. Such conflicts create complex situations that require careful consideration and resolution, making it a quintessential example of an ethical dilemma.

In contrast, scenarios such as unclear methodology, participants having different motivations for participation, or vague research objectives do not inherently reflect a conflict between ethical standards and research practices. While these issues may complicate the research process or its integrity, they do not automatically create ethical dilemmas in the same way that conflicting ethical obligations do.