The Outcome and Implications of Screening Student Projects for Evidence of Ethical Reasoning

This article presents the results of a retrospective survey of research protocols submitted by occupational therapy students over a 3-year period. It follows a companion article¹ which considered the increasing importance of ethics in occupational therapy education. Data concerning the number and type of projects conducted by students are reported and discussed in the context of their ethical implications. In addition, the advice given to students in response to their research protocols is outlined and the limitations of the ethical screening process are evaluated. The article concludes with recommendations for the future ethical education of students.