Setting standards for empirical bioethics research: a response to Carter and Cribb

• Main Authors: Michael Dunn, Jonathan Ives, Bert Molewijk, Jan Schildmann
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2018-07-01
• Series: BMC Medical Ethics
• Subjects: Empirical bioethics; Empirical methodology; Ethical analysis; Consensus; Delphi method
• Online Access: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12910-018-0302-5

Abstract This paper responds to the commentaries from Stacy Carter and Alan Cribb. We pick up on two main themes in our response. First, we reflect on how the process of setting standards for empirical bioethics research entails drawing boundaries around what research counts as empirical bioethics research, and we discuss whether the standards agreed in the consensus process draw these boundaries correctly. Second, we expand on the discussion in the original paper of the role and significance of the concept of ‘integrating’ empirical methods and ethical argument as a standard for research practice within empirical bioethics.