Research ethics is integral to the integrity and credibility of scientific inquiry. This chapter aims to establish a comprehensive ethical framework that guides researchers in protecting participant rights and ensuring responsible research practices. The chapter defines key ethical principles such as respect for persons, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice; elaborates on the significance of informed consent and confidentiality; and addresses ethical challenges in authorship, conflicts of interest, and research involving vulnerable populations. The chapter highlights the potentially severe consequences of ethical breaches, ranging from participant harm to the erosion of public trust. It also offers practical recommendations and updated guidelines in light of technological advancements and digital research environments. Important insights underscore that adherence to ethical standards not only fulfils legal obligations but also enhances the quality and societal impact of research. Ultimately, this chapter serves as a vital resource for researchers, aiming to empower them with the knowledge needed to conduct research with integrity and social responsibility. Research ethics is “the principles, values, and standards that guide researchers to conduct their work in a morally responsible, trustworthy, and reliable manner.”(Iphofen, 2020, p. 4). It encompasses a wide range of considerations: respect for persons, beneficence to research participants, justice, trust, informed consent, confidentiality, privacy, data management, violations, fraud, and the ethical treatment of both human and animal subjects and avoidance of plagiarism (Allen C, Lingua Franca 7(9):31–39, 1997; Armond et al., BMC Med Ethics 22, 2021; Iphofen R, An introduction to research ethics and scientific integrity. In: Iphofen R (ed) Handbook of research ethics and scientific integrity. Springer, Cham, pp 3–13, 2020; Kaufman CE, Ramarao S, Popul Res Policy Rev 24(2):149–173, 2005; Pierre M, Early Hum Dev 124:46–48, 2018; Sachs B, Med Ethics eJournal, 2011; Serpico K, Res Ethics 20(3):559–573, 2024).