
Ethics
What are ethics and what have they got to do with me and my research?
Firstly we will look at how you should behave as a professional, then we will look at how you should carry out your research.
What the words mean
Research: any form of disciplined enquiry that aims to contribute to a body of knowledge or theory.
Research ethics: the moral principles guiding research from its start through to completion and publication of results.
Research Ethics Committee (REC): a multidisciplinary, independent body responsible for reviewing research proposals involving human participants to ensure that their dignity, rights and welfare are protected.
Protocol: a filed document which specifies the procedures for recruiting participants and gathering and managing data. All project staff agree to comply with it.
These pages have been adapted from the GCU code of good practice in research, the GCU research ethics booklet, the BPS code of human research ethics and the HPC guidance on conduct and ethics for students.