ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS

According to Polit and Beck 7th edition 2004, ethics is a system of moral values that is concerned with the degree to which research procedures adhere to professional, legal, and social obligations to the study participants. Throughout implementing the study, the researchers made sure that the following ethical considerations were observed.

A. Principle of Beneficence The principle of beneficence, which encompasses the maxim: Above all do no harm is define by Polit & Beck (2004) as a fundamental ethical principle in research that seeks to prevent harm and exploitation of the subject and maximize benefits. The reaserch group made it sure that the study should benefit to them by providing orientation to the participants on what is their role in the study and how it benefited them. During the orientation, the research group will let the participants ask questions about the study so that they would clearly understand the benefits they can get in participating. The participants should know the course of the study so that they would not think that they are being exposed too much. Freedom from harm, as defined by Polit & Beck (2004), is minimizing all types of harm and discomfort and to achieve in so far as possible a balance between the potential benefits and risks of being a participant. In this study, preventing harm will be observed by minimizing all types of discomfort which were as follows: physical, psychological, social and economic. Furthermore, exploitation to subject will be avoided by following what is written in the informed consent. Freedom from exploitation, as defined by Polit & Beck (2004), should not place participants at a disadvantage or expose them to situations for which they have not been prepared. Participants need to be assured that their participation or information they might provide will not be used against them in any way. In the study, subjects will not be exposed to situations that were not properly disclosed to them, only the information that was properly divulge to them will be followed.

B. Principle of Respect to Human Dignity The researchers should keep in their minds the observance of the principle of respect for human dignity. According to Polit and Beck 7th edition 2004, respect for human dignity is the second ethical principle articulated in the Belmont Report. The principle of respect to human

dignity includes right to self-determination and full disclosure. The research group should consider respondents autonomy before, during and after the study. The participants would be asked to sign an informed consent as a proof that they understood the course of the study and they are willing to participate in the study. The research group should not force the participants to participate in the study. It is the right of the participants whether or not to be involved in the study. If the participants wished to cease the study, the research group will not oblige or threaten them. Likewise, if the participants wish to continue the study, the research group would not promise any incentives. The right to self-determination, as defined by Polit & Beck (2004), is a persons ability to voluntary decide whether or not to participate in a study. In this study, it will be observe by giving the subjects an options to decide voluntarily to be a part of the study, without risking any penalty or prejudicial treatment. They also have the right to refuse in giving information and participate in the study. The right to full disclosure, as defined by Polit & Beck (2004), is the communication of complete information to potential study participants about the nature of the study, right to refuse and participate, and the likely risks and benefits that would be incurred. In the study, it will be observe by securring a written consent from the subjects and all the information they need to know about the study was properly disclosed, relayed and explained before the tools and design will be given to them. Subjects were also given the privilege to ask questions and clarifications regarding the study.

C. Principle of Justice The third broad principle as based on Polit and Beck 7th edition 2004 concerns justice. The principle of justice includes subjects right to fair treatment and right to privacy. Researchers would ensure that their research was not more intrusive than it needs to be and that participants privacy is maintained throughout the study (Polit & Beck, 2004). Some of the information that were asked in the questionnaire may be perceived as too personal by the subjects, thus confidentiality is promised by the researchers to gain their trust of putting in their truthful answers. The right to fair treatment, as defined by Burns & Grove (2004), is a persons right to be treated fairly and receive what he or she is due or owned. The subjects were free to withdraw from the treatment when they feel to do so. The subjects will be given access to the leader of the group so that they could ask someone if ever they would meet a problem concerning the study. The researchers will consider the use of a translated version (Tagalog version) of the informed consent form and questionnaires for them to make it easier to use and understand clearly.

The right to privacy, as defined by Burns & Grove (2004), is the right of an individual to determine the time, extent, and general circumstances under which personal information will be shared with or withheld from others. In this study, it will be observe by treating all the information concerning the subjects as confidential. The names of the participants in the presentation of data will not be included. Instead, control numbers and initals will be used to identify the subjects to provide privacy.