Faculty Research Integrity and Ethics Induction for new staff and postgraduate research students

National sector framework for research integrity and governance

The Research Code of Practice sets out the standards and expectations for all staff, PGRs and visiting academics conducting research in the OU’s name (and those supporting research). A must read for all relevant staff and student groups.

Email: research-integrity@open.ac.uk

An ethics review by the Human Research Ethics Committee is required for research projects which involve the collection of data or biological samples from human participants. If you are planning to make changes to your research project, having already obtained a favourable opinion, these changes will need to be approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee.

A final report will be required for all projects which have received a favourable opinion, this should be submitted at the conclusion of the project.

Email: research-rec-review@open.ac.uk

All research projects involving (non human) animals should be referred to the Animal Welfare Ethical Review Body and receive approval before commencing.

Email: Research-Ethics@open.ac.uk

Research and related activity that poses high ethical, legal or reputational risks for the University that go beyond the remit of the Human Research Ethics Committee or the Animal Welfare Ethical Review Body should be referred to the Ethical Research Review Body.

Email: research-integrity@open.ac.uk

Research policies:

• Research Code of Practice
• The Procedure for Dealing with Allegations of Research Malpractice or Misconduct
• Plagiarism and Research Misconduct Policy (PGRs)
• Responsible Use of Research Metrics Statement
• Ethical Research Statement
• Ethics Principle for Research with Human Participants
• Animal Research Statement
• Terrorism and Extremism-related Research Policy
• Research Data Management Policy
• Open Research Data Online policies
• Open Access Publication Policy
• Research Intellectual Property Policy
• Consultancy Policy (Research and Enterprise)
• Export Control Compliance Statement

Training events organised annually by the Research Career Development Programme.

Email: research-career-development@open.ac.uk

Graduate School Network (online resources)

Face to face/online sessions as part of the Graduate School core training programme.

Email: events-gradschool@open.ac.uk

Library Research Support Programme - Training resources and events organised by the OU Library.

Email: library-research-support@open.ac.uk

Research and Enterprise Events Programme (internal link only)

Training events organised by the OU Research & Enterprise Team, Research, Enterprise and Scholarship Unit

Email: research-workshops@open.ac.uk

Research projects are carried out in research groups within and across faculties. The most important proponents of research integrity and good research practice are researchers themselves, group leaders, supervisors of postgraduate research students, Principal Investigators, and Faculty research leaders.

Faculties and the research groups within them can nurture research integrity by actively promoting an open and supportive research culture.

All staff and PGRs should be aware that they if they are unsure of any aspect of research, require help or support or fear that they, or someone else has made a mistake, that they can raise this with their peers and managers within the group, and that they will be supported to resolve any issues. Each faculty publishes the name of an officer who can be contacted for advice about good research practice, and one who can be contacted if there are concerns about research conduct. All concerns raised in good faith will be treated in confidence and without prejudice to the individual who raised it.