Research Ethics is all about integrity, transparency and quality in the design and conduct of research.
Key principles of ethical research include:
The official University of Southampton statement on Research Ethics is available here:
University of Southampton Ethics Policy Statement.
Further guidance on Research Data Management is available here.
Who needs research ethics approval?
All students, staff and visitors at the University who carry out research on human participants, their data or biological material require ethical approval.
To give some examples, you need ethical approval if you plan to:
Research on animals is covered by a separate set of policies:
Policy for involving animals in Research and Education
More information about what kinds of research require ethics approval can be found on the Researcher Portal or you can ask you Faculty Ethics Committee research support.
How do I apply for research ethics approval?
You apply for ethics approval via the University’s Ethics and Research Governance Online (ERGO) system which can be found here: ERGO.
You will need to fill in an online form, an ethics form and a risk assessment form.
Some studies require additional documentation such as consent forms, participant information sheets and interview guides or survey questions. Your supervisor will have to approve your application before it gets reviewed by the ethics committee.
There is a wealth of information about research ethics and ethics approval on the Ethics Sharepoint pages of the Researcher Portal
Certain research (e.g. involving NHS patients or staff, prison and probation services, social care services) requires ethics approval via the Integrated Research Application System (IRAS) as well as applying through the ERGO system.
You must not begin your research before obtaining ethics approval.
Breaches of ethical standards will be investigated under the Academic Responsibility and Conduct Regulations.
Further information on research integrity can be found on the University of Southampton Research integrity pages.
Light bulb image used: shutterstock_173222384. Image edited by Southampton University library.
University Ethics policy, by Southampton University.
ERGO: Ethics and Research Governance, by Southampton University.
Research integrity pages, by Southampton University.
Academic Responsibility and Conduct Regulations, by Southampton University.
Research Ethics for Social Scientists by
`This is an excellent book which can be recommended both to the professional ethicist seeking to situate research ethics for a social scientific audience and to social scientists seeking an overview of the current ethical landscape of their discipline′ - Research Ethics Review Ethics is becoming an increasingly prominent issue for all researchers across the western world. This comprehensive and accessible guide introduces students to the field and encourages knowledge of research ethics in practice. Research Ethics for Social Scientists sets out to do four things: The first is to demonstrate the practical value of thinking seriously and systematically about what constitutes ethical conduct in social science research. Secondly, the text identifies how and why current regulatory regimes have emerged. Thirdly, it seeks to reveal those practices that have contributed to the adversarial relationships between researchers and regulators. Finally, the book hopes to encourage both parties to develop shared solutions to ethical and regulatory problems. Research Ethics for Social Scientists is an excellent introductory text for students as it: - introduces students to ethical theory and philosophy; - provides practical guidance on what ethical theory means for research practice; - provides case studies to give real examples of ethics in research action. The result is an informative, accessible and practical guide to research ethics for any student or researcher in the social sciences.
The Student's Guide to Research Ethics by
Why should every researcher consider the ethical implications of their work? What constitutes ethical research? How can best practice be maintained throughout a research project? This reader-friendly book examines the ethical issues and questions that occur in university and professional research and will help both beginning and experienced researchers to identify ethical issues when they are conducting research. The book thoroughly examines the broader ethical issues that arise throughout research, from the design stage through to data collection and analysis. It also investigates topical issues such as content, confidentiality and ethical questions in the dissemination of research. There are also discussions of ethical theories as well as case studies that highlight dilemmas and how they can be avoided or resolved. This new edition is thoroughly updated to reflect the greater emphasis researchers must now place on ethics and includes information on: Ethical concerns of the internet and technology Regulatory frameworks and research governance Ethical requirements of funding bodies The involvement of research participants in research design Codes of ethics within different disciplines 'Ethical Dialogue' and 'Ethical Dilemmas' boxes feature throughout the book in order to highlight key issues. There are also further reading sections at the end of each chapter as well as expanded coverage of plagiarism. The Student's Guide to Research Ethics is an invaluable tool for both undergraduate and postgraduate students as well as professionals who research as part of their jobs.
