title: National Human Research Ethics: A Preliminary Comparative Case Study of Germany, Great Britain, Romania, and Sweden.
abstract: Although international research is increasing in volume and importance, there remains a dearth of knowledge on similarities and differences in "national human research ethics" (NHREs), that is, national ethical guidelines (NEGs), Institutional Review Boards (IRBs), and research stakeholder' ethical attitudes and behaviors (EABs). We begin to address this situation by reporting upon our experiences in conducting a multinational study into the mental health of children who had a parent/carer in prison. The study was conducted in 4 countries: Germany, Great Britain, Romania, and Sweden. Data on NHREs were gathered via a questionnaire survey, two ethics-related seminars, and ongoing contact between members of the research consortium. There was correspondence but even more so divergence between countries in the availability of NEGs and IRBs and in researcher' EABs. Differences in NHREs have implications particularly in terms of harmonization but also for ethical philosophy and practice and for research integrity.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Applied Childhood Studies, University of Huddersfield.
authors.forename: Bernard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gallagher
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Karolinska Institutet.
authors.forename: Anne H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Berman
authors.affiliation: Department of Pedagogy and Sociology, Treffpunkt e.V .
authors.forename: Justyna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bieganski
authors.affiliation: School of Human and Health Sciences, University of Huddersfield.
authors.forename: Adele D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Asociația Alternative Sociale.
authors.forename: Liliana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Foca
authors.affiliation: Division of Social Work, University of Huddersfield.
authors.forename: Ben
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Raikes
authors.affiliation: Department of Social Sciences, Ersta Sköndal University College.
authors.forename: Johanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schiratzki
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Technische Universitaet Dresden.
authors.forename: Mirjam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Urban
authors.affiliation: Department of Investigation, The Swedish Police.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ullman
keywords: Institutional Review Boards; ethical attitudes; ethical behavior; ethical guidelines; national human research ethics