External resources for research ethics

External research ethics guidance

The below information compiles research ethics guidance from external organisations, relating to a plethora of specific ethical issues/considerations. The below information can also be accessed and downloaded as a separate PDF.

We recommend that researchers read any such guidance listed that relates to any research they wish to conduct. 

• External research ethics guidance (PDF, 118kB)

External Research Ethics Guidance

Researchers are encouraged to familiarise themselves with external research ethics guidance to help consider ethics issues during the lifecycle of a project and includes information and guidelines on good research conduct and governance.

British Psychological Society (BPS)

• Code of Human Research Ethics
  https://www.bps.org.uk/guideline/bps-code-human-research-ethics
  Framework for conducting ethical psychological research involving human participants.
• Ethics Guidelines for Internet-mediated Research
  https://www.bps.org.uk/guideline/ethics-guidelines-internet-mediated-research
  Guidance for conducting ethical online and digital data collection research.

UK Research Integrity Office (UKRIO)

• Internet-mediated research guidance (PDF)
  https://ukrio.org/wp-content/uploads/UKRIO-Guidance-Note-Internet-Mediated-Research-v1.0.pdf
  Advice on ethical challenges of online/digital research.
• Code of Practice for Research
  https://ukrio.org/ukrio-resources/publications/code-of-practice-for-research/
  Standards for research integrity, covering planning, conduct, and reporting.

UKRI (UK Research and Innovation)

• Ethical research and innovation (Good Research Resource Hub)

  https://www.ukri.org/manage-your-award/good-research-resource-hub/ethical-research-and-innovation/
  UKRI’s overarching ethical principles for research and innovation.

• Research ethics guidance (ESRC, UKRI)

  https://www.ukri.org/councils/esrc/guidance-for-applicants/research-ethics-guidance/
  ESRC’s framework for ethical social science research.

• MRC Ethics and Approvals guidance

  https://www.ukri.org/publications/mrc-guidance-for-applicants/ethics-and-approvals/
  Requirements for ethical approval in MRC-funded research.

• MRC Ethics Series

  https://www.ukri.org/who-we-are/mrc/our-policies-and-standards/ethics/
  Detailed papers on ethics topics (children, human tissue, global research, etc.).

Academy of Medical Sciences (AMS)

• Policy (ethics-related reports and guidance)

  https://acmedsci.ac.uk/policy
  Publishes reports on ethical issues in biomedicine and clinical research governance.

British Heart Foundation (BHF)

• Guidelines for researchers conducting clinical trials

  https://www.bhf.org.uk/for-professionals/information-for-researchers/managing-your-grant/guidelines-for-researchers-conducting-clinical-trials
  Ethical approval and governance requirements for BHF-funded clinical trials.

Cancer Research UK (CRUK)

• Research involving humans policy

  https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/for-researchers/apply-for-and-manage-your-funding/research-policies-and-guidance/research-involving-humans-policy
  Requires REC approval for all research involving human participants.

• Guidelines for scientific conduct

  https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/for-researchers/apply-for-and-manage-your-funding/research-policies-and-guidance/guidelines-for-scientific-conduct
  Expectations for integrity, accountability, and good conduct.

Diabetes UK

• Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) guidance

  https://www.diabetes.org.uk/our-research/for-researchers/applying-for-funding/patient-and-public-involvement
  Promotes ethical and inclusive research by requiring meaningful patient involvement.

European Research Council (ERC)

• Ethics guidance for projects

  https://erc.europa.eu/manage-your-project/ethics-guidance
  ERC’s ethics review, compliance, and approval framework.

Kidney Research UK

• Regulations and Conditions (requires ethical approval)

  https://www.kidneyresearchuk.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Regulations-and-Conditions-202204.pdf
  Funded research ethical approval guidance.

Medical Research Council (MRC — also under UKRI)

• Ethics Series and guidance

  https://www.ukri.org/who-we-are/mrc/our-policies-and-standards/ethics/
  Detailed guidance on ethics in biomedical and clinical research.

National Institute for Health Research (NIHR)

• Ethics and regulatory requirements

  https://www.nihr.ac.uk/documents/ethics-and-regulatory-requirements-for-research/16480
  UK regulatory requirements and REC approval process for NIHR research.

Research England

• Supporting research integrity

  https://re.ukri.org/who-we-are/research-integrity/
  Promotes adherence to the UK Concordat to Support Research Integrity.

Royal Academy of Engineering

• Ethics and Statement of Ethical Principles

  https://raeng.org.uk/policy-and-resources/education-policy/the-engineering-profession/global-responsibility-and-progressive-engineering-leadership/ethics/
  Ethical principles for engineers and engineering research.

Royal Society

• Research culture (includes research integrity & ethics)

  https://royalsociety.org/topics-policy/projects/research-culture/
  Promotes integrity, reproducibility, and ethical responsibility in science.

Wellcome Trust

• Research involving human participants policy

  https://wellcome.org/research-funding/guidance/policies-grant-conditions/research-involving-human-participants-policy
  Requires REC approval for all research with human participants.

• Responsible Conduct of Research policy

  https://wellcome.org/research-funding/guidance/policies-grant-conditions/responsible-conduct-research
  Standards for integrity and accountability.

• Clinical trials policy

  https://wellcome.org/research-funding/guidance/policies-grant-conditions/clinical-trials-policy
  Requirements for ethics approval, registration, and transparency in trials.