Chapter 8 | Ethical Considerations

A. What are ethical principles and why do I need to uphold them? 

Ethical principles are your guide to ensuring a fair, transparent, and respectful data collection process. Although this study is exempt from ethical approval as M&E is a routine government activity, you must still appreciate and adhere to these principles. In practical terms, upholding these ethical principles, namely confidentiality, privacy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and informed consent ensures that the data collected remains robust and trustworthy. This, in turn, strengthens the overall integrity of data collection and management within the pharmaceutical sector and maximizes the policy impact of your data collection efforts. Here are simple definitions of these ethical principles: 

B. What are the key ethical considerations involved in my role as a data collector? 

The following lists the important ethical considerations when you collect data on the field: 

1. Maintaining confidentiality and privacy through adhering to procedures and measures for data storage and security. This includes conducting surveys/questionnaires, KIIs, and FGDs in an area that is private or where the participant feels comfortable in. 

2. Ensuring beneficence and non-maleficence through being mindful of how the data collection process may cause any form of discomfort to the participant and how you can make the participant feel most comfortable. This includes following the appropriate behaviors during data collection, which are: (1) active listening, (2) maintaining neutral and non-judgmental reactions, and (3) recognizing and managing emotional triggers that may arise during the data collection activity. 

3. Adhering to informed consent procedures especially in data collection activities requiring patient- or healthcare provider-level interactions namely, Surveys/Questionnaires, FGDs, and KIIs. It is important for you to know that informed consent is not simply a form that participants must fill in before participating in the study. Instead, it is a process that ensures the participant knows all of the important details of the study, including any potential risks and benefits, so they can make an informed decision regarding their participation.