Research ethics committees in HEIs – UGC NET Question

Statements A and D correctly express core aspects of research ethics in higher education. Ethics committees are set up to vet research protocols for compliance with ethical norms, especially when human participants are involved, and principles like confidentiality and minimising harm are central to such review. Statement B is false because research ethics covers a wide range of issues beyond plagiarism, including consent, risk and fairness. Statement C is false because many kinds of research, particularly those involving humans or sensitive data, require prior ethical clearance. Thus, the correct set of statements is A and D only.

Option A:
Option A is correct because it combines A and D, both of which reflect the institutional structures and guiding principles of research ethics, and it excludes B and C, which minimise or deny the broader ethical responsibilities of researchers.

Option B:
Option B is incorrect because it adds B, implying that ethics is only about plagiarism and not about participants’ rights and safety. This misrepresents the scope of research ethics and undermines its protective function.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect because it accepts all four statements, thereby endorsing C’s claim that ethical clearance is unnecessary and B’s narrow view of ethics, which conflicts with standard guidelines.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect because it isolates D as correct and omits A. While D is true, excluding A ignores the formal role of institutional ethics committees, which are essential for implementing these ethical principles.