The University of the Philippines Open University Institutional Research Ethics Committee (UPOU-IREC) participated in the Online Training Workshop on Ethics in Human-Participant Research on 4-7 May 2021 via Zoom. The workshop was organized by the Philippine Social Science Council (PSSC), through its Social Science Ethics Review Board (SSERB). The training workshop aimed to educate researchers on the ethics standards and codes in social science research and other research involving human participants, and apply these ethical guidelines and principles in research procedures.
The UPOU IREC has recently received a Level 1 accreditation from the Philippine Health Research Ethics Board (PHREB). This training is a perfect opportunity for UPOU-IREC members to strengthen their ethical foundation and to be more equipped and updated in the implementation of ethical reviews in the university.
The UP Open University Institutional Research Ethics Committee (UPOU IREC) is the body that will implement the university policy of overseeing the ethical soundness of the institutional research produced, including any research conducted by faculty members, students, REPS, and staff. All institutional research proposals must undergo ethics review and shall gain certification clearance from the UPOU IREC.
Delegates from the UPOU-IREC were composed of Dr. Ricardo T. Bagarinao and Asst. Prof. Roja Rivera from the Faculty of Education (FED); Dr. Myra D. Oruga, Asst. Prof. Rita Ramos, Asst. Prof. Queenie Ridulme, and Asst. Prof. Ria Valerie Cabanes from the Faculty of Management and Development Studies (FMDS); Dr. Benjamina Flor and Ms. Emely Amoloza from the Faculty of Information and Communication Studies (FICS); Ms. Luisa Gelisan and Mr. Lexter Magubat from the Multimedia Centre (MC); Ms. Erlinda Manarin from the Office of Student Affairs (OSA) and Ms. Marian Tatlonghari from the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs (OVCAA).
The 4-day training workshop was attended by over fifty (50) professionals from different academic institutions in the Philippines. Most of the participants were researchers, instructors/professors, deans, members of the ethics review committee, etc. Their area of specialization and research interests include education, human development and ecology, psychology, language, communication, linguistics, philosophy, religion, sociology, law and political science, anthropology, Asian studies, applied statistics and math, business, economics, information system, health, nursing, nutrition, and environmental science.
The training workshop were divided into four (4) modules consisted of (1) Ethical Principles in Social Science Research, (2) Maintaining Research Integrity, (3) Informed Consent, Privacy and Anonymity, and (4) Designing Research for Beneficence, Social Justice and Inclusivity. These were presented by distinguished experts such as Dr. Amaryllis Torres (UP Diliman), Prof. Stella P. Go (De Las Salle University), Mr. Peter A. Sy (UP Diliman), and Dr. Maria Carinnes P. Alejandria (University of Sto. Tomas); respectively. The training workshop was headed by Dr. Lourdes M. Portus, Executive Director of the Philippine Social Science Council (PSSC).
The 4-day training workshop was very informative, fun and interactive. It was an ideal venue for research enthusiasts to explore, learn and be aware of the ethical standards and guidelines specifically, on the research involving human participants. Delegates from different fields and academic institutions showed great cooperation and actively participated in the group discussion and case studies. There were many ethical issues and principles that have been discussed and addressed in this online training workshop.
The program concluded with some messages and reflections from the participants representing different regions of the country. It was indeed a worthwhile and productive experience amidst the current pandemic.
Sustainable Development Goals
Written by Marian P. Tatlonghari
Edited by Joane V. Serrano and Myra D. Oruga