Ethical Principles in Environmental Science Research with an Approach to Natural Resource Governance: From Theoretical Foundations to Practical Methods in Data Collection and Analysis

Environmental research findings are a key foundation for decision-making in the governance of natural resources. Adherence to ethical principles in the collection and analysis of environmental data not only prevents unnecessary harm to natural ecosystems but also enhances the scientific credibility of research and the effectiveness of natural resource governance. This paper examines ethical principles in the process of environmental data collection and analysis, highlighting their connection to environmental and natural resource ethics. Major challenges include sampling bias, increased measurement errors, ecosystem disturbance, violation of privacy, neglect of subjects' rights, lack of effective community participation, and ethical risks in data use. To mitigate these challenges, researchers must observe both scientific rigor and ethical standards. Core ethical requirements include respect for the environment, protection of living organisms' rights, data accuracy and reliability, prevention of data manipulation, transparency and accountability, privacy protection, informed and active participation of local communities, data security, equitable data access, and careful selection of appropriate statistical methods. Upholding these principles not only improves the scientific quality of research but also strengthens sustainable natural resource governance mechanisms. Therefore, the design and implementation of sampling systems must be grounded in both scientific standards and ethical principles related to environmental and natural resource research.
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.