[Deontological principles of nursing research problems].

Abstract

Nursing research, as every other research studying human beings, must be guided, attuned and illuminated by ethical principles and axioms. These principles are highlighted in the following triptych: (a) respect for the person's freedom and fundamental rights; (b) protection of human health and life; and (c) safeguarding the biopsychosocial well-being and dignity of the human subject. Nurse researchers need to know, accept, internalize and use as a light-pointer the deontological principles of nursing research for their direction to cope with ethical dilemmas. Moreover, they are expected to have the courage and heroism to discontinue their research project or their involvement in others' research, if they foresee any kind of impending risk, physical or psychosocial, for the persons of the study. Only so, nursing research will fulfil its social mission: to promote the quality of nursing services.