INTRODUCTION
DEFINITION OF RESEARCH
RESEARCH ETHICS AND GOVERNANCE
UKRIO Code of practice for research, Promoting Good Practice and Preventing Misconduct
UKRIO recommended Checklist for Researchers
RCUK Policy and Code of Conduct on the Governance of Good Research
DoH Research Governance Framework
This document provides both supplementary and updated information to the original ABS Research Ethical Guidelines 2004, it incorporates research ethical developments and issues that have taken place since that time within the fast moving environment of social science and builds on existing good practice, ensuring that our procedures move into line with the ESRC’s Framework for Research Ethics (FRE) in 2010.
The primary role of SREC is to protect the dignity, rights and welfare of research participants, giving due regard to the consequences of the proposed research for others directly affected by it and to the interests of those who do not take part in the research but who might benefit, or suffer, from its outcomes in the future. The Committee also considers the safety of the researchers.
Research proposals are reviewed in terms of their ethical probity, which entails a consideration of the design and proposed conduct of the research, that SREC considers in terms of ethical issues raised (for example, whether the method of recruitment proposed puts undue pressure on individuals to participate) and the way they are addressed. SREC encourages a starting point of being risk aware whilst not being risk averse.
The following information is to facilitate your considerations of ethical issues that may arise in your proposed research project, and to guide you through the ABS research ethics procedures.
Research is defined as any form of disciplined inquiry that aims to contribute to a body of knowledge or theory, (SOURCE: ESRC FRE).
Maintaining integrity and high standards is of central importance to the University’s commitment to research, and it is the responsibility of all members of the University’s research community to maintain professional standards. Aston’s Code of Conduct prescribes standards of work performance and conduct expected by all persons engaged in research at the University:
http://www1.aston.ac.uk/registry/for-staff/regsandpolicies/researchregulationsandprocedures/
There is an inextricable link between research ethics and governance and the UK Research Integrity Office (UKRIO) is an independent body which offers advice and guidance to universities and other research organisations, and also to individual researchers, about the conduct of research. Hosted by Universities UK, UKRIO aims are to:
- promote the good governance, management and conduct of research;
- share good practice on how to address misconduct in research; and
- give advice and guidance on specific cases.
UKRIO has now produced the Code of Practice for Research, a reference tool to support researchers and research organisations in the conduct of research of the highest quality. The Code can help research organisations and researchers ensure that important issues have not been overlooked and applies to all types of research.
UKRIO Code of Practice for Research, ‘Promoting Good Practice and Preventing Misconduct’: http://www.ukrio.org/resources/UKRIO%20Code%20of%20Practice%20for%20Research.pdf
Drawing upon UKRIO's experiences in addressing good conduct and misconduct in research, the Code provides principles and standards for researchers and research organisations and also includes a Recommended Checklist for Researchers: a one-page, non-technical checklist for the key points of good practice in research, based on the more detailed standards provided by the Code.
Researchers’ Checklist:
This checklist lists the key points of good practice in research for a research project, and is applicable to all subject areas. Researchers may find this a useful tool to use as a reference and check point:
http://www.ukrio.org/resources/UKRIO%20Recommended%20Checklist%20for%20Researchers.pdf
The Research Councils’ UK (RCUK) Policy and Code of Conduct on the Governance of Good Research, ‘Integrity, Clarity and Good Management’ 2009 is a requirement of all Research Councils, and provides good guidelines on necessary provisions:
http://www.rcuk.ac.uk/cmsweb/downloads/rcuk/reviews/grc/goodresearchconductcode.pdf
The Department of Health’s Research Governance Framework requires that research within its remit must secure research governance approval from individual NHS Trust research and development departments, in addition to NRES MREC ethics approval: DoH Research Governance Framework for Health and Social Care (2nd edition 2005):
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_4108962
Main University navigation links
