BGU research ethics and integrity

Research at BGU

Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) upholds and promotes high standards of research ethics at all points of the research cycle, from inception to dissemination, and complies with the UK Concordat to Support Research Integrity. BGU’s Research Ethics Policy reflects this compliance, and outlines several commitments to upholding integrity.

All research conducted within, in collaboration with and involving colleagues and/or students of BGU is underpinned by the Research Ethics Policy. Approval for individual research projects can be sought by applying for Ethical Approval, using the Research Ethics Clearance Form.

If you require support with designing your project or completing the form, please consider discussing your project requirements with at least one of the following key contacts:

For students: Your supervisor OR module leader (please consult your module specific guidance).

For staff: Your specific subject ethics representative; or one of your subject-based Research Ethics Committee representatives (a full list of contacts can be found on this page)

You may also wish to discuss your project with colleagues within your Research and Knowledge Exchange Unit, if applicable.

More sensitive projects, all research postgraduate (doctoral) and staff projects are reviewed at an institutional (i.e. university) level. Applications should be submitted to the University’s Research Office, and then sent out for peer review by two independent colleagues with training in research ethics and with relevant research expertise. Reviewers may request that conditional amendments be applied before ethical approval can be granted. In all cases, approval is confirmed by the Chair of the Research Ethics Committee, or their representative (in cases of conflict of interest). In these cases, please complete the clearance form and email to the Research Centre (ellie.foster@bishopg.ac.uk AND Jessica.alvey@bishopg.ac.uk) to initiate this process.

Undergraduate, PGCE and Master's research projects are reviewed and approved at the local (subject) level. Students will need to complete and submit the clearance form as per module guidance.

Please note that projects are deemed sensitive if issues are outlined within sections 3.1 or 3.2 within the Clearance Form.

We encourage BGU staff and students to consult the Research Ethics course on BlackBoard, where all current information and relevant supporting documentation is located.

Research Ethics Clearance Form

Template consent form

Template Participant Information Sheet

Please be aware that failure to comply with the Research Ethics Policy, including failing to obtain full ethical approval for a project, can result in penalties for students via the Code of Practice for Academic Misconduct, the Professional Suitability Policy, the Student Disciplinary Procedure, or another relevant code underpinning subject-specific conduct, as outlined within that code, and for staff via the Disciplinary Policy, Procedure and Guidance.

Research Integrity statement

BGU complies with the Concordat to Support Research Integrity and, as such, we report on our institutional research culture activity and associated misconduct processes. Statements from 2017 onwards are listed below, and additionally statements concerning institutional misconduct are reported below since 2011.

Current:

2023 - 24: there were no breaches of policy, complaints or concerns over research ethics and integrity. a cope of the Annual research integrity statement 2024 can be found here.

Statement of activity in previous years:

2022 - 23: there were no breaches of policy, complaints or concerns over research ethics and integrity. A copy of the Annual research integrity statement template October 2023 can be found here.

2021 - 22: there were no breaches of policy, complaints or concerns over research ethics and integrity. A copy of the Annual research integrity statement template October 2022 can be found here.

2020 - 21: there were no breaches of policy, complaints or concerns over research ethics and integrity. A copy of the Research Integrity Annual Statement Sept 2020-21 can be found here.

2019-20: there were no formal breaches of policy or complaints over research ethics and integrity. As reported in the Research Integrity Annual Statement September 2019-August 2020, which can be accessed here, one concern over ethical approval being granted at the local level, when fuller institutional approval was required, was raised and handled.

2018-19: there were no breaches of policy, complaints or concerns over research ethics and integrity. A copy of the Research Integrity Annual Statement Sept 2018-Aug 2019 can be found here.

2017-18: there were no breaches of policy, complaints or concerns over research ethics and integrity. A copy of the Research Integrity Annual Statement Sept 2017-Aug 2018 can be found here.

2016-17: there were no breaches of policy, complaints or concerns over research ethics and integrity

2015-16: there were no breaches of policy, complaints or concerns over research ethics and integrity.

2014-15: there were no breaches of policy, complaints or concerns over research ethics and integrity.

2013-14: there were no breaches of policy, complaints or concerns over research ethics and integrity.

2012-13: there were no breaches of policy, complaints or concerns over research ethics and integrity.

2011-12: there were no breaches of policy, complaints or concerns over research ethics and integrity.