University Statement on the Ethical Conduct of Research
The University of Warwick is committed to advancing and safeguarding the highest academic and ethical standards in all its research activities. On the 1 October 2003 the University of Warwick Council approved the establishment of a Research Governance & Ethics Committee (RGAEC) to govern ethical policy and establish a research governance framework across the University. We are working closely with senior academics and administrative staff to ensure all members of staff and students conducting and participating in research activity that involves participants, their data and/or tissue adopt the University’s, Research Code of Practice , Code of Practice for the Investigation of Research Misconduct and Whistleblowing Code of Practice.
The University is further committed in supporting researchers with emerging issues in relation to ethics across all research fields. The University expects that staff and students will behave ethically and professionally in all their activities. It is the responsibility of staff and students to consider the ethical implications of their research using the Research Code of Practice and all relevant guidelines of appropriate professional bodies to assist them in fulfilling their obligations.
The dignity, rights, safety and well-being of participants must be the primary consideration in any research project. Research involving any human participants’ Data, Organs, Tissue MUST have ethical approval. This extends to research involving NHS Staff and Premises.
Any University of Warwick student or member of staff, who wishes to undertake research involving human participants, their data and/or tissue (this may also include research involving the data of deceased participants) under the auspices of the University, must obtain appropriate ethical approval.
ONCE YOU HAVE ETHICAL APPROVAL PLEASE NOTE THAT THE APPROVAL ONLY COVERS THE ORIGINAL STUDY FOR WHICH ETHICS APPROVAL WAS SOUGHT (UNLESS ADVISED OTHERWISE BY THE ETHICS COMMITTEE ISSUING THE APPROVAL). If a study is being extended or changed and/or further use of samples or data from a study already completed is required, it advisable to contact your R&IS Departmental Officer and the ethics committee from which you original approval was granted.
Please go to our Research Ethics Committees web pages for further details on how to apply for ethics approval.
Please note a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check may also be required, if you will come into contact with children or vulnerable adults. Please refer to Warwick's Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Applications.
If your study is a clinical trial or you require further information about clinical trials please go to Clinical trials.