Abstract
<p>Global shifts toward community-engagement in research emphasize the importance of ethics training for community researchers. This is particularly critical in resource-limited settings where populations can be at greater risk for research misconduct. However, current standards and frameworks for ethics training beyond the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) in these settings are limited. This scoping review aimed to synthesize existing literature on ethics training for community researchers engaged in participatory research in low-income countries (LICs), identify gaps, and suggest pathways toward systematic improvements. We searched MEDLINE, Embase, PsycInfo, Global Health, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Scopus, with no date or language restrictions. Data were analyzed thematically to assess the types, levels, and geographical distribution of ethics training, as well as IRB approval processes. Of 4,006 publications retrieved, 194 met inclusion criteria. A total of 44/194 (23%) studies explicitly reported ethics training for community researchers, with significant variability in training intensity. Most studies originated from Uganda (n=78), Malawi (n=35), and Ethiopia (n=20). There is a critical need for standardized, culturally appropriate ethics training frameworks for community researchers in LICs engaged in participatory research. Developing such frameworks will enhance ethical standards, promote equitable partnerships, and protect vulnerable communities from research misconduct.</p>