What might be included in steps taken to ensure protection from harm in research?

Providing emotional support is critical in safeguarding participants from potential psychological harm that might arise during or after a research study. When researchers are aware that sensitive topics might trigger emotional distress, implementing measures to offer emotional support can significantly alleviate the risk. This can involve having mental health professionals available during and after the study, providing clear information about the nature of the research, and ensuring participants know they can withdraw or take breaks as needed.

While recruiting participants, designing a control group, and gathering informed consent are all important components of conducting ethical research, they primarily focus on logistics and process rather than directly addressing the psychological well-being of participants. Emotional support specifically targets the psychological aspect of participant welfare, making it a vital step in protecting participants from harm during research.