What is the highest priority when deciding if research is ethical, according to the Tri-Council Policy Statement for the Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans?

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According to the Tri-Council Policy Statement, the highest priority when deciding if research is ethical is the welfare of the research participants. This means that the safety, health, and rights of the participants must be protected throughout the research process. The potential benefit to society and validity of the research question are important considerations, but they come after the welfare of the participants has been addressed. The random assignment of participants to research groups is a methodological issue and does not necessarily impact the ethicality of the research.

What Is the Highest Priority When Deciding If Research Is