Professional ethics codes and guidelines
The European Code of Conduct for Research Integrity (ALLEA)
Association of Internet Researchers: Ethics guide
British Educational Research Association: Ethics and educational research
British Psychological Society: Code of human research ethics
British Psychological Society: Ethics guidelines for internet-mediated research
British Society of Criminology: Statement of ethics
British Society of Gerontology: Guidelines on ethical research with human participants
British Sociological Association: Guidelines on ethical research
Committee on Publication Ethics guidelines
Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms
UK Government: Rigour, respect, responsibility: a universal ethical code for scientists
Ethical Research Involving Children: Ethical guidance
European Science Foundation: European Code of Conduct for Research Integrity
Health Research Authority: Do I need NHS REC approval
International Visual Sociology Association: Code of Research Ethics and Guidelines
Market Research Society: Code of Conduct
Medical Research Council: Use of human samples in medical research
Nuffield Council on Bioethics: Dementia: Ethical Issues
Nuffield Council on Bioethics: Children and clinical research: ethical issues
OECD iLibrary: Research ethics and new forms of data for social and economic research
Science Europe: Research Integrity
Social Research Association: Ethics Guidelines
Universities UK: Concordat to support research integrity
Templates and forms
The following websites offer example templates for information sheets and consent forms. Remember to adhere to the requirements of your research organisation (or other relevant body) when preparing a consent form, tailor it to the needs of your specific project.
Open University: Human Research Ethics Committee – project registration and risk checklist
University of Sussex: Does your research require ethical review? A self-assessment checklist
UK Data Service: Consent for data sharing
UK Research Integrity Office: Checklist for researchers
Health Research Authority: Qualitative protocol guidance and template
ESRC ethics resources
Example research ethics initial checklist
Example ethics review application forms and protocols
ESRC proposal ethics statements
Example flowchart of review process
Last updated: 9 November 2023