Which principle mandates that researchers must protect participants from harm?

The principle that mandates researchers to protect participants from harm is beneficence. This ethical guideline emphasizes the obligation of researchers to minimize potential risks and maximize benefits throughout the research process. It underlines the importance of ensuring the well-being of participants, which involves not only preventing physical harm but also psychological, emotional, and social harm.

Beneficence requires researchers to actively consider the potential impact of their work on individuals and communities involved in the study. This means conducting thorough risk assessments, implementing safety measures, and providing support to participants when needed. Researchers are expected to weigh the risks involved against the expected benefits of the research to ensure that the welfare of participants is always prioritized.

In contrast, justice focuses on the fair distribution of the benefits and burdens of research, ensuring that no group is unduly burdened, while autonomy is concerned with respect for individuals' rights to make informed decisions about their participation. Integrity relates to maintaining honesty and transparency in research practices. Each of these concepts plays a significant role in human subjects research, but beneficence directly addresses the obligation to protect participants from harm.