An Orientation on Ethical Considerations in Research was conducted by the Ateneo de Naga University-Graduate School in coordination with the Institutional Research Ethics Committee on October 18, 2025, via Gmeet. The three-hour session provided a crucial in-depth exploration of the principles that govern ethical scholarship.

The orientation was expertly segmented, featuring speakers who are all members of the IREC. Dr. Richard Martin C. Baustista began by outlining the fundamental importance and principles of research ethics review. Dr. Ramona S. Renegado followed, clarifying the different types of ethics reviews researchers may encounter. Dr. Jesus Cyril M. Conde then provided a practical guide to the Protocol Reviewer Worksheet and the critical concept of vulnerability. Dr. Maryln L. Tejada concluded the session with a detailed discussion on the components and proper acquisition of informed consent.

The speakers articulated what is for them an everyday task—evaluating documents to ensure research proceeds ethically before a single piece of data is collected from human participants. Their firsthand experience translated complex guidelines into clear, understandable advice.

The webinar was immensely helpful in familiarizing the Graduate students with the various IREC forms, “demystifying” what can be a meticulous process. It is, and rightly so, meticulous. It is because the researchers are dealing with human beings who have rights and must be protected from harm, even if unintentional.

The orientation solidified a key idea: research is not just about description. Its primary purpose may be epistemic—to apprehend and comprehend the world, whether qualitatively, quantitatively, or through mixed methods. But it is also inherently normative.

Generally, the orientation highlighted the fact that research must answer not only “what is” but also “what ought to be done” for it to be considered acceptable and well-conducted.

Prepared by:

Edmon Marquez
PhD Educ Psy student-GS