Which of the following best describes the role of research ethics?

The role of research ethics primarily revolves around safeguarding the rights and well-being of participants involved in studies. This includes ensuring their informed consent, confidentiality, and the right to withdraw from research at any time. Ethical guidelines are designed to protect participants from harm, exploitation, and misconduct, which are pivotal for maintaining trust between researchers and subjects.

While securing funding, enforcing specific methodologies, and striving to eliminate biases are important aspects of research, they do not encapsulate the primary focus of research ethics. Ethics provide a framework that prioritizes the moral responsibilities researchers have towards their participants, making option A the most accurate description of the role of research ethics.