Ethical Principles in Environmental Science Research: From Theoretical Foundations to Practical Methods in Data Collection and Analysis

Data collection and analysis in environmental science research require adherence to ethical principles that not only prevent unnecessary harm to the natural environment and living organisms but also enhance the scientific credibility of the research. This article adopts a comprehensive approach to examine the ethical principles involved in the process of collecting and analyzing environmental data and explains their connection with the philosophical foundations of environmental ethics. Sampling bias, increased error, ecosystem disturbance, violation of privacy, disregard for the rights of participants, lack of effective involvement of local communities, and ethical risks in the use of modern technologies are among the major challenges in the collection and analysis of environmental data.

To reduce or eliminate these challenges, researchers must rigorously adhere to both scientific and ethical principles. Respect for the environment, safeguarding the rights of living organisms, enhancing data accuracy and reliability, ensuring data integrity, maintaining transparency and accountability, protecting privacy, promoting active and informed participation of local communities, securing data and information, ensuring social justice in data access, and carefully choosing appropriate statistical methods are among the key ethical principles that researchers must follow. To achieve these objectives, it is essential that the design and implementation of sampling systems uphold not only scientific standards but also the ethical principles of environmental and natural resource stewardship.