Date of Award

11-28-2025

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Bioethics

First Advisor

Dr. Kauser S. Khan

Second Advisor

Dr. Laila Ladak

Department

Educational Development

Abstract

Research ethics guidelines are central to protecting human participants and ensuring scientific integrity. However, adherence to these guidelines varies across institutions, hierarchies, and contexts, particularly within low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) where structural and cultural challenges intersect. This qualitative study explored factors influencing adherence to institutional research ethics guidelines at a leading academic medical center in Pakistan. Guided by behavioral and organizational frameworks, namely Social Cognitive Theory, Self Determination Theory, Ethical Climate Theory, and Resource Dependence Theory, the study examined how researchers across roles understand, interpret, and apply ethical principles in daily practice. Data were collected through ten in-depth semi-structured interviews with faculty and research staff at the Aga Khan University, using purposive sampling to ensure variation in research domains, roles, and seniority. Participants represented diverse domains and experience levels. Thematic analysis revealed that ethical adherence is shaped by an interplay of personal conviction, mentorship, institutional culture, and resource sufficiency. While researchers value ethics conceptually, adherence often depends on leadership emphasis, communication, and intrinsic motivation rather than formal oversight alone. Barriers included inconsistent training, hierarchical pressure, and limited monitoring, while enablers comprised mentorship, personal integrity, and supportive institutional climates. The findings highlight that ethical conduct is both a behavioral and systemic phenomenon: sustained adherence arises when moral motivation aligns with institutional reinforcement. Strengthening ethics education, leadership engagement, and accountability mechanisms can bridge the gap between procedural compliance and genuine ethical practice. The study contributes to the global discourse on fostering ethical research cultures in LMICs and offers actionable insights for policy and training reforms at institutional and national Page iv of viii levels

First Page

1

Last Page

110

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