Delphi method

Engineering

Philosophy

Communication

Public relations

Bioethics

Philosophy of medicine

Conversation

Computer science

Empirical research

Alternative medicine

Discipline

Political science

Normative

Epistemology

Sociology

Artificial intelligence

Medicine

Foundation (evidence)

Engineering ethics

Pathology

Social science

BMC Medical Ethics

This paper reports the process and outcome of a consensus finding project, which began with a meeting at the Brocher Foundation in May 2015. The project sought to generate and reach consensus on standards of practice for Empirical Bioethics research. The project involved 16 academics from 5 different European Countries, with a range of disciplinary backgrounds.The consensus process used a modified Delphi approach.Consensus was reached on 15 standards of practice, organised into 6 domains of research practice (Aims, Questions, Integration, Conduct of Empirical Work, Conduct of Normative Work; Training & Expertise).Through articulating these standards we outline a position that encourages responses, and through those responses we will be able to identify points of agreement and contestation that will drive the conversation forward. In that vein, we would encourage researchers, funders and journals to engage with what we have proposed, and respond to us, so that our community of practice of empirical bioethics research can develop and evolve further.

Standards of practice in empirical bioethics research: towards a consensus