Research Ethics and Integrity Policy - INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS SCHOOL

Research Ethics and Integrity Policy
Version Number		IBS/REIP/2026Apr/V001
Member of Staff Responsible		Ibrahim Sirkeci
Record of Revisions to Policy
Date	Details	Approved by
Apr 2026	Published	Board of Directors
Apr 2026	Reviewed	Board of Directors
July 2023	Reviewed	Board of Directors

Date of Current Policy		April 2026
Next Review Date		April 2028
Review to be approved by		Board of Directors

Related IBS Policies

Research Governance and Integrity Procedures
Academic Integrity and Academic Misconduct Policy
Data Protection Policy
Equal Opportunities and Diversity Policy
Student Complaints Policy
Safeguarding Policy
Prevent Policy and Procedures

External Reference Points

Office for Students (OfS) Regulatory Framework (quality, standards, governance and student protection)
UK Research Integrity Office (UKRIO) Code of Practice for Research
Research Excellence Framework (REF) Integrity Guidance
Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR
Equality Act 2010

1. Policy Statement

International Business School (IBS) is committed to promoting and maintaining the highest standards of integrity, ethics and professionalism in all research activities undertaken by its staff and students. IBS recognises that responsible research conduct is essential to academic quality, public trust, and compliance with the Office for Students (OfS) regulatory framework.

All research conducted under the auspices of IBS must be designed, reviewed and carried out in a manner that is ethical, transparent, lawful and respectful of participants, communities and wider society.

2. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to:

Define IBS expectations for ethical research conduct and integrity
Ensure research activities comply with legal, ethical and regulatory standards
Protect the rights, dignity, safety and wellbeing of research participants
Provide a clear framework for ethical review and approvals
Support a culture of responsible research practice across IBS

3. Scope

This policy applies to:

All research undertaken by IBS staff
All student research projects, including dissertations and theses
Collaborative research conducted under IBS oversight
Research conducted on IBS premises or using IBS resources

This includes qualitative, quantitative, mixed‑methods, desk‑based and empirical research.

4. Core Principles of Ethical Research

Research conducted at IBS must adhere to the following principles:

Integrity: Honesty, transparency and accountability in research design, conduct and reporting
Respect: Recognition of the dignity, rights and diversity of participants
Beneficence: Maximising potential benefits and minimising harm
Justice: Fair selection and treatment of research participants
Compliance: Adherence to legal, ethical and institutional requirements

5. Research Integrity

IBS expects all researchers to:

Conduct research honestly and responsibly
Avoid fabrication, falsification or misrepresentation of data
Acknowledge sources appropriately and avoid plagiarism
Declare and manage conflicts of interest
Maintain accurate and secure research records

Breaches of research integrity may be investigated under relevant IBS academic or disciplinary procedures.

6. Ethical Review and Approval

6.1 Requirement for Ethical Approval

All research involving:

Human participants
Personal or sensitive data
Vulnerable groups
Potential risk or harm

must receive ethical approval before data collection begins.

6.2 Research Ethics Review Process

IBS operates a proportionate Research Ethics Review process which:

Reviews proposals for ethical risks and safeguards
Requires evidence of informed consent processes
Assesses data protection and confidentiality measures
Identifies safeguarding or wellbeing considerations

Research must not commence until approval is formally granted.

7. Research Involving Human Participants

Researchers must ensure that:

Participation is voluntary and based on informed consent
Participants can withdraw without disadvantage
Confidentiality and anonymity are protected where applicable
Risks are clearly identified and mitigated

Additional safeguards apply where research involves vulnerable individuals.

8. Data Protection and Confidentiality

All personal data collected for research purposes must:

Be processed lawfully, fairly and transparently
Be used only for stated research purposes
Be stored securely and retained appropriately
Comply with the IBS Data Protection Policy and UK GDPR

9. Student Research

Students undertaking research as part of their programmes must:

Comply with this policy and associated procedures
Obtain ethical approval where required
Undertake research skills and ethics training as directed
Work under appropriate academic supervision

Supervisors are responsible for guiding students on ethical compliance.

10. Roles and Responsibilities

10.1 IBS Responsibilities

IBS will:

Maintain a Research Ethics Review framework
Provide guidance, training and support on research ethics
Ensure oversight of research integrity risks

10.2 Researchers and Supervisors

Researchers and supervisors are responsible for:

Ensuring ethical compliance of research projects
Seeking approval where required
Reporting ethical concerns or breaches promptly

11. Allegations of Misconduct in Research

Concerns relating to research misconduct, including breaches of ethical standards, will be:

Investigated fairly and confidentially
Managed in accordance with institutional procedures
Reported to relevant governance bodies where appropriate

12. Monitoring and Review

IBS monitors compliance with this policy through:

Review of ethics applications and approvals
Monitoring of complaints or concerns
Periodic review of policy effectiveness

This policy will be reviewed annually or sooner if regulatory changes require.

13. Alternative Formats

This policy is available in alternative formats upon request. Requests should be directed to the Academic Standards and Quality Office.