Ethical Considerations for Research and Practice in the Human Sciences, Ethical Considerations for Research and Practice in the Human Sciences

Research Is An Integral Activity In Institutions Of Higher Education Around The Globe. Every Discipline Sets Its Own Standards, Protocols And Ethical Considerations For Research. These Are Interpreted At Institutional And Departmental Levels To Establish What Constitutes Sound, Reliable, Replicable And Ethical Paradigms Of Research. In The Face Of An Ever-increasing Obligation To Engage In The Investigation Of Human Behaviour, Practices And Activities, There Is A Need To Deliberate And Establish An Acceptable Set Of Guidelines To Direct, Codify And Regulate Scientific Investigation. While The Field Of Biomedical And Clinical Research Have In Place A Well-defined Code Of Ethics In Research (cer), The Same Is Not True For Research In The Field Of Social Sciences And Human Behaviour In Several Parts Of The World. Paradoxically, In India, The Very Discipline That Directly Interacts With Human Subjects Has Very Few Guidelines Other Than Some Modifications Of The Indian Council Of Medical Research (icmr) Guidelines For Biomedical Research Practices. The Landscape Of Research And Consequently Its Challenges Are Exponentially Changing And So Are The Ethical Prerogatives. There Is A Universal Concern Expressed By Faculty And Research Scholars To Create A Dialogue On Ethics In Social Sciences. Cognisance Of Ethical Guidelines, Practices, Plagiarism Are Part Of Scientific Integrity And Key To Academic And Institutional Progress. As Academicians, Doctoral Guides, And Independent Scholars, We Have A Responsibility To Ensure That We Are Accountable And To Uphold The Highest Standards Of Values And Ethics. For This We Must Dialogue And Debate Several Concerns To Establish A Unified Code Of Ethics For Social Science Research. This Is Critical To Create A Discipline Specific Identity As Well As Guidelines Based On Collective Expression Of Professional Opinion. At The Same Time, We Need To Safeguard From Encroaching On Research Autonomy And Freedom To Maintain Our Scientific Integrity-- Provided By Publisher.