Which of the following is a component of ethical research?

The inclusion of informed consent and confidentiality measures as a component of ethical research is fundamental to maintaining the integrity and trustworthiness of the research process. Informed consent ensures that participants are fully aware of the nature of the research, what their participation involves, the risks, and their right to withdraw at any time without penalty. This transparency fosters a respectful and ethical approach to research, whereby participants are treated as autonomous individuals with the right to make informed choices regarding their involvement.

Confidentiality measures are equally vital as they protect participants' personal information and data from unauthorized access or disclosure. By ensuring that the information shared by participants is kept confidential, researchers uphold ethical standards and build trust with their participants, which is essential for collecting honest and accurate data.

In contrast, the other options present actions that violate ethical standards. Manipulating participant responses undermines the validity of the research, while ignoring participant welfare disregards the ethical obligation researchers have to protect those involved in their studies. Compiling data without verification can lead to inaccurate conclusions and harms the credibility of the research findings. Thus, informed consent and confidentiality represent key ethical principles guiding responsible research practices.