The driving forces of research ethics in academia: insights from students based on the theory of planned behavior

Abstract Background Research ethics is crucial for protecting participants’ rights in medical studies. Although several studies have explored general awareness and attitudes toward research ethics among medical students, few have systematically examined the behavioral determinants of adherence to Research Ethical Codes (REC) using established theoretical models. This study addresses this gap by identifying the determinants of REC adherence among students at Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences (KUMS), applying the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) as a conceptual framework. Methods A descriptive-analytical study was conducted in 2024 among KUMS students. A cluster sampling approach was used, with structured questionnaires distributed to gather data on demographics and TPB constructs. Data were analyzed using SPSS, employing Pearson correlation and linear regression analyses. Results The study included 271 participants with a mean age of 23.99 years. The adherence level to ethical codes was 69.1%. The adjusted R² value was 0.352, indicating that 35.2% of the variance in adherence to REC behavior was explained by the model. Notably, attitude (B = 0.694, p < 0.001) and intention (B = 0.857, p = 0.002) were significant predictors. The highest adherence was for confidentiality (mean score = 4.04), while the lowest was for obtaining ethical approval before data collection (mean score = 2.68). Conclusions The findings indicate a 69.1% adherence to ethical research codes, with attitude and intention identified as key predictors of ethical behavior. These results emphasize the importance of targeted educational strategies to strengthen students’ commitment to ethical research practices.