Table 4 Ethical comments in articles not reporting on ethical approval by the national Ethics Review Authority (or its predecessors Regional Review Boards)
Ethical comment | Health science with somatic focus | Health science with non-somatic focus | Social sciences | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Stating “not required” or “not relevant” | 0 | 2 | 4 | 6 |
Referral to approval by local committee or to local guidelines | 0 | 0 | 5a | 5 |
General assurance of adherence to ethical guidelines and/or referral to the Helsinki Declaration | 1 | 3 | 3 | 7 |
Student workb | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
None | 11 | 14 | 42 | 67 |