Matrix for ethical self-assessment

The ethical matrix is a long-established tool for systematically reflecting on ethical issues in scientific and technical projects. It is intended for researchers in all disciplines, especially those without specific ethical training, and supports structured judgement formation. The aim is not to provide immediate concrete instructions for action, but to enable a well-founded ethical assessment that can serve as a basis for decisions.

The tool, in the form of a cube model, is a further development and operationalises ethical reflection along three dimensions: the research process, the groups of actors involved, and normative evaluation criteria such as well-being, autonomy and justice. In doing so, it promotes a multi-perspective view and allows the ethical relevance of individual research steps to be made visible – especially with regard to socio-ecological impacts on society.