Ethics in research: nursing perspectives

Research is an important priority in nursing. Nurses attempting to carry out studies in health care today, however, face greater complexity, financial pressures and ethical dilemmas than in the past. To meet these challenges, nurses need a solid understanding of research standards underpinned by ethical principles. In this article, the author discusses recent controversies in research including informed consent and interpretation of research results, as well as an action plan for greater attention to ethics in nursing research.