Benchmark – Ethical Conduct of Scholarly Activities: Applying the Belmont Principles to Case Studies in Human Subjects Research and Quality Improvement Projects

NRS-445 Topic 2: Benchmark – Ethical Conduct of Scholarly Activities 
MUST USE THE TEMPLATE PROVIDED
For this assignment, students will read the two case studies that follow and then complete the application of the Belmont Principles case study tables for each case study as well as a personal reflection at the end. 
Background: The Belmont Report is a foundational document in the field of research ethics. It was created in response to ethical concerns raised by the Tuskegee Syphilis Study and other research studies that exploited vulnerable populations. The Belmont Report outlines three core ethical principles for research involving human subjects: respect for persons, beneficence, and justice. Institutional review boards (IRBs) are responsible for ensuring that research studies comply with these ethical principles. The Belmont Report has had a significant impact on the formation and function of IRBs. IRBs use the principles outlined in the Belmont Report as a framework for understanding and evaluating the ethical implications of research studies. The principles of respect for persons, beneficence, and justice are used to guide decision-making around issues such as informed consent, risk-benefit analysis, and the selection of human subjects. Overall, the Belmont Report has played a crucial role in shaping the ethical standards for research involving human subjects. 
Assignment Focus: The focus of this assignment is to allow the student to apply the principles detailed in the Belmont Report to case studies involving human subjects in research or a quality improvement project. Emphasis is placed on developing and demonstrating an understanding of the role of the nurse researcher or quality improvement project manager as an effective facilitator of ethical principles in human-subjects research or quality improvement projects.
Resources: Review the “NRS-445 The Belmont Report Lecture” to gain a better understanding of the Belmont Report and the role it plays in conducting research.
https://www.loom.com/share/cdeff3163bda49519d415f14760975a1 
https://www.icn.ch/sites/default/files/2023-04/ICN_Code-of-Ethics_EN_Web_0_0.pdf