# Research Ethics Guidance

Status: draft Sourcebook template.

Use this guidance when planning research involving human participants to identify and address ethical considerations.

## Ethical principles

1. Respect for persons — obtain informed consent, protect privacy
2. Beneficence — minimise harm, maximise benefit
3. Justice — fair selection of participants, equitable distribution of burdens and benefits

## Ethical review triggers

Consider formal ethical review when:
- Research involves vulnerable groups
- Research covers sensitive topics
- Research involves significant data collection
- Research is published externally

## Consent requirements

- Purpose of research must be explained
- Participation must be voluntary
- Right to withdraw must be stated
- Data handling must be described

## Data minimisation

Collect only data necessary for the research question.

## Reporting obligations

- Data breach reporting:
- Safeguarding referral process:

## Review

- Ethics lead:
- Review date: