Research needs to be conducted ethically at all times. There are a number of codes of conduct which must be adhered to, for example the Code of Practice on Investigations Involving Human Participants.

When conducting a piece of research that involves human participants, an ethical clearance checklist must be completed. This, and more information on the ethical advisory committee can be found at:
http://www.lboro.ac.uk/admin/committees/ethical/.

If, after filling in the initial checklist, you tick any of the coloured sections, you will have to fill in an additional form called the Research Proposal Application Form, where you need to give more details about the research process.

Please note that before undertaking research, participants must fill in and sign an informed consent form, to ensure that they understand the purposes of the research and what will be done with the data once it is collected. A template for this form can be found at:
http://www.lboro.ac.uk/admin/committees/ethical/.

If you are conducting interviews, please bear in mind the Guidance Notes for Investigators Conducting Interviews Off-Campus and Working Alone.

Dr Liz Mavroudi is the Departmental Ethical Clearance Officer.