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TRAINING
The Research Ethics e-module will be launched on 1 July. Brief information on the e-module can be found here; more detailed information can be found in the Research Ethics E-module Implementation Plan.
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Useful documents:
How to prepare your participant information sheet
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Bournemouth University is committed to promoting and upholding the highest quality academic and ethical standards in all its activities.
There are six key principles of ethical research that BU upholds:
- Research should be designed, reviewed and undertaken to ensure integrity, quality and transparency;
- Research staff and subjects must normally be informed fully about the purpose, methods and intended possible uses of the research, what their participation in the research entails and what risks, if any, are involved. Some variation is allowed in very specific and exceptional research contexts;
- The confidentiality of information supplied by research subjects and the anonymity of respondents must be respected;
- Research participants must participate voluntarily, free from any coercion;
- Harm to research participants must be avoided in all instances;
- The independence of research must be clear, and any conflicts of interest or partiality must be explicit.
The University is currently in the process of revising our research governance and ethics policies and procedures which will recognise the importance of addressing ethical matters, while supporting the achievement of its collective research objectives. To this end, robust research governance procedures and policies will underpin all research at the University.
The new policies and procedures will ensure that ethical review procedures take into account:
- best practice with regard to ethical considerations in research
- meeting all legislative, regulatory, and funder requirements
- safeguarding the reputation of the University
University Research Ethics Committee (UREC)
The Bournemouth University Research Ethics Committee (UREC) is responsible for the over-arching university-wide research ethics policies and procedures. UREC considers ethical issues related to research and research-related activities brought to its attention by Academic Schools, researchers and the wider university community. UREC is also responsible for constructing and maintaining the University Research Ethics Code of Practice which informs local practices and procedures across the University.
BU School Ethics Representatives:
- ApSci – Holger Schutkowski
- BS – Gelareh Roushan
- DEC – Jon Cobb
- HSC – Martin Hind
- MS – Darren Lilleker
- ST – Sean Beer
UREC comprises both staff and independent lay members and meets quarterly. If you have any issues you would like to raise about research ethics at Bournemouth University, or to make a formal complaint, please contact the UREC Secretary Julia Hastings Taylor.