In this third article of our research series Linda Bindless describes the nature of ethics and of nursing research ethics and explains how to identify ethical issues using an approach based on the principles of respect for autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence and justice and their application to practice.

Linda Bindless MA, BA, Cert Ed., CPTDN, RN, Senior Lecturer, School of Human & Health Sciences, University of Huddersfield, W. Yorkshire.

Article accepted for publication January 2000.