Which of the following is true about the management of conflicts of interest?

Which of the following is true about the management of conflicts of interest?

1: Management plans are often created to reduce the impact of conflicts of interest.

2: Researchers are typically permitted to judge for themselves whether a conflict of interest needs to be managed.

3: Researchers are required to eliminate all conflicts of interest that they have.

4: Organizations do not require that conflicts of interest are managed as long as researchers disclose them.

Answer: 1: Management plans are often created to reduce the impact of conflicts of interest.

For most research studies, conflicts of interest are not eradicated or overlooked but are addressed with great precaution in the form of a well-worked-out plan. These management plans are created to minimize the undesirable effects of conflicts while enabling important research. They may use tactics that include reporting, monitoring, or limitations on some processes or actions. In most cases, the duties and obligations of dealing with conflicts of interest often rest with the institution or the funding organization. It understands that it is normal to have conflict and sometimes even healthy when well controlled. This way, the focus is given not to eradicating all conflicts at all costs of research, but on preserving the research credibility and the public’s trust with transparent and well-structured procedures.