Be ethical

Ethics - do you shop ethically buying fair trade goods so that the producer gets a fair deal and isn't ripped off?  Well, we expect you to study ethically especially when your studies involve research on other people - check out Ethics and get it right.   Plagiarism (copying someone else's work) and other forms of cheating are also unethical so don't do it - it is a very quick way to fail your studies.

All staff and students undertaking independent research at Staffordshire University, whether at undergraduate or postgraduate level, must consider ethical issues. Where ethical issues are identified ethical approval must be sought from the Faculty's Academic Ethics Team.

All students must complete an academic ethics form either the fast track or full application.  Please note that the University’s disclaimer form is not accepted by the Faculty.  Information about which form to complete is outlined below but for more detailed information see Ethics. 

The completed form signed by your project supervisor, should be submitted to the Faculty Reception points either in room K266, Octagon building for all Stafford based students or K161, Brindley building for all Stoke based students within six weeks of the start of your project.  A copy of the signed form must be included as an appendix within your project.  Your project will fail if you have not submitted a signed academic ethics form.

Fill in the fast track application (DOC, file size: 91KB) form in the first instance as the answers you give to the questions on the form guide you as to whether a full application (DOC, file size: 50KB) is required. 

The full application form should be completed if your project involves work with animals or special groups e.g. children under 18 years of age; patients; people with communication or learning difficulties including vulnerable adults. This form also needs to be considered if you do not plan to give participants in the study the full information that they warrant.

A separate Risk Assessment Form (XLSX, file size: 21.8KB)   must be completed for al applications.   Completed risk assessment forms should be submitted to your academic supervisor for consideration and approval.

Remember that there is more specific detail on each form on the Academics Ethics website.
When doing your research you may need to produce a consent form, information sheet and a risk assessment form. Examples of these can be found here:

Participants generally need to be given enough information to give informed consent - this protects you as much as them.

Sample Child Information Sheet (DOC, file size: 27KB)

Sample Adult Information Sheet (DOC, file size: 26.5KB)

Written consent is required for any person participating in your project.   If any of the participants are under 18 years of age the consent form must be signed by their parent or guardian.  A completed consent form confirms that the participant both understands the part that they are playing in the study and gives their agreement whilst also providing you with proof of their agreement

Sample Child Consent Form (DOC, file size: 22.5KB)

Sample Adult Consent Form (DOC, file size: 21KB)

 Sample Risk Assessment Form (XLSX, file size: 21.8KB)  A risk assessment must be undertaken for your research project in consultation with your supervisor.  The completed risk assessment form should be submitted to your academic supervisor for consideration and approval.

 
Be safe and keep others safe - for certain activities such as filming in a public place you need to have a copy of the University's liability insurance with you.  Permission is required to film on private property. Permission is also required from the Police and from the relevant Council to film in public areas. Be advised that filming around certain areas e.g. military camps, prisons and in certain conditions e.g. at night may well attract a strong police presence and that the police have the power to disband a group of 7 under anti-terrorism laws and if filming obstructs the highway.  For other activities, like redesigning a firing pin or building a prototype missile, you may need to get advice and approval from the Faculty's Health and Safety team.

The Faculty’s Academic Ethics team has produced guidelines for projects which are related to health or involve filming.  Please consider the guidelines carefully particularly if your project involves filming in public places or requires any involvement or development work related to the NHS.

Guidelines for Filming (DOC, file size: 37.5KB)

Guidelines for NHS involvement (DOC, file size: 42.5KB)

The University owns the intellectual property rights of all work produced during your studies (see the General Regulations for Students). If you wish to include any artefacts produced during your project e.g. film or video within your portfolio you MUST write to the Faculty Business Manager to request approval.