Research ethics and integrity

Information on training and further guidance on research ethics and integrity.

Research ethics and integrity underpins excellent research, and is at the heart of what constitutes good research practice. Here you can find training developed to support researchers from all disciplines and at various stages of their career paths to enhance their research practice, as well as further support for research integrity.

Introduction to Research Ethics and Integrity

About the online course

Online training that will introduce key concepts of research ethics and integrity and provide an overview of the issues you need to consider.

This online training course has been developed to support researchers from all disciplines and at various stages of their career paths to enhance their research practice. This training will introduce the concepts of research ethics and integrity, a core part of good research practice.

By the end of the training you will:

• Develop a greater understanding of the core principles and practices of responsible and ethical research conduct, and;
• Be able to discern what areas may need further support or training to enhance your research practice.

This training will link to further guidance and training available within the University of Edinburgh, and collate key sources of information for further support.

The training is still in development and will be released on a modular basis as and when the modules are completed. There are five modules in the training (see below), of which modules 1-3 are available. Parts of module 2 are still in development.

Research Ethics and Integrity - Training Modules

1. Introduction

• What is Integrity?
• What is Ethics?
• Good Practice at the University of Edinburgh

2. In Research Practice

• Research Design
• Research Data
• Research Participants
• Research Collaborations
• Environment
• Ethical Approval in the University of Edinburgh

3. In Authorship and Publication

• Publication Ethics
• Authorship and Contributorship
• Peer Review
• Reporting Research Outputs
• Open Research and Intellectual Property (IP)
• Misrepresentation and Distortion

4. In Dissemination

• Knowledge Exchange
• Public Engagement
• Social Media

5. When Things Go Wrong

• Key Areas of Misconduct
• Drivers of Misconduct
• Case Studies
• Misconduct Procedures at University of Edinburgh

How to enrol

University of Edinburgh staff and students can self enrol on the Learn course at any time.

Note: A full outline of these steps with relevant system screenshots is on the Guide to Guest and Self-Enrol Access webpage, provided by IS

• Log onto the Learn VLE using your EASE username and password (link to Learn below)

• Select ‘Course Catalogue’ in the top right corner

• The ‘Search catalogue’ options will load. Enter the course name in the search catalogue section and select ‘Go’.

• Expand the options menu next to the relevant Course ID (you’ll need to hover over it). Select ‘enrol’.  

• The self-enrol overlay will load providing further course information. Select ‘Submit’. An enrolment success screen will load. Then select OK to access the course. 

• Alternatively, once in the Course Catalogue, you can also find it under the Browse Categories heading, and selecting Self Enrol IAD Courses from the drop down menu.

Self-enrol on Research Ethics and Integrity on Learn now (EASE log-in required)

Please be aware that the IAD does not monitor completion or give certificates of completion for this online course.

For Schools and Deaneries

This training has been designed as core training for all researchers at the University of Edinburgh and is not subject specific. If Schools or Deaneries would like to monitor completion or adapt the content of this course for their specific needs we are happy to discuss this with you.

Please contact Emily Woollen e.woollen@ed.ac.uk at the IAD for further support or guidance.

Further support for research integrity

The University of Edinburgh’s central webpages on Research Integrity has further guidance on relevant policies, codes of practice, further training options, guidance and support, and can be accessed via the Edinburgh Research Office.

For up to date information and further details please visit the Edinburgh Research Office website