Table 2

Definitions of the types of ethical considerations

Ethical considerationDefinition
Ethical issue“Overarching category for actions or situations where something has to be considered because of ethical reasons (or principles and values), or is an object of ethical research”
Ethical argument“Normative justifications or refutations for moral claims or action plans”
Ethical principle“Normative and theoretical concepts that summarise or describe specific ideas about ethical behaviour or define a prerequisite for ethical judgement”
  • Quoted from Mertz et al.55