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Research Integrity

 

This web page provides a research ethics review flowchart as guidance on when and where to seek ethical review - this should be used to supplement, and not replace local advice.

Please check this list of RECs to find further information about the different universities RECs.

Human participants and personal data

Cambridge Ethical Review

  • All researchers embarking on research involving human participants or personal data should consider the ethical risks of their work.
    • Any project identified to require independent ethical review should be referred to the relevant University REC. 
    • The University recognises that in a significant number of cases it may be unnecessary to seek indepenent ethical review from a University REC.
  • As appropiate, researchers can seek advice from their local REC
  • The research ethics review flowchart provides central guidance on when and where to seek ethical review.
Researcher Where to seek advice
Undergraduate students Supervisor or mentor.
Postgraduate students Supervisor or mentor.
Research staff
  1. Local REC / ethics contact
  2. Head of Department.
  3. Appropriate School-level REC

 

External ethical review

  • Some projects (e.g. research involving NHS patients, staff or facilities) require external ethical review from an external body.
  • As appropiate, identify and refer your research project to external body (e.g. HRA National Research Ethics Service (NRES) as early as possible in the review process.
  • For further guidance, please contact the Clinical School’s Governance Officer or check the HRA Research Toolkit to understand what approvals are required.

Please note, it is also necessary to seek permission from Anglia Ruskin University if your research study involves their students or staff. For further information, please refer to the ARU policy on external research: https://aru.ac.uk/research/research-environment/research-ethics-and-integrity/research-ethics


Animal research

Where research projects involve animals, refer for advice to UBS HO Licencing as these projects may be considered under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 ASPA. Ethical review by an Animal Welfare and Ethical Review Body AWERB in UBS includes review of Non-Regulated procedures; in the UK, Overseas and for teaching purposes. The University of Cambridge Animal Welfare Policy and Working with animals in the UK, EU and overseas Overseeing animal research | University of Cambridge are stipulated.