Research Integrity, Ethics and Impact Training

Lancaster University is committed to having the highest standards of rigour and integrity and ensuring that our research generates powerful impacts. This commitment is demonstrated through our investment in three training courses.

Women sat down working on laptop
Picture of two scientists, one male and one female at a desk looking at a computer

Research Integrity Course

The Research Integrity online course is designed to help you understand your responsibilities as a researcher in upholding high standards of rigour and integrity. It identifies the principles and responsibilities you need to apply throughout your research project from planning your research through to data analysis and presentation. There are 13 modules in the course, more specialised ones include:

  • Trusted Research and Export Controls
  • Scholarly Publication
  • Intellectual Property
  • The Care and Use of Animals

Research Integrity for Postgraduate Researchers course

Research Integrity for Staff course

Ethical Research Course

The Ethical Research course is designed to provide you with the core skills needed to become an ethical researcher. The modules explore research ethics in its broader sense including the ethical challenges of different research methods and being aware of your own biases when interpretating results. You will learn about ethics approval, giving you an understanding applicable to your research project and/or as your career progresses.

Ethical Research for Postgraduate Researchers course

Ethical Research for staff course

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Leaflet called 'Have your say' about the climate emergency

Research Impact Course

The Research Impact online course explores how your research can achieve positive change or benefit to research participants and wider society. It encourages you to plan for impact from the start of your research, identifying how you are going to engage with stakeholders and communicate your research. Modules include plenty of real-world case studies, inspiring stories and video interviews representing a range of researchers from across disciplines and at different career stages.

Research Impact course

Who is required to complete the training?

Everyone involved in research - staff and students would benefit from the training.

The University Executive Board (UEB) have made the decision that:

  • Post Graduate Researchers (PGRs) are required to complete the Research Integrity and Ethical Researcher courses for PGRs prior to their confirmation of PhD status.
  • New staff on research or research & teaching contracts are required to complete theResearch Integrity and Ethical Researcher courses for staff within 3 months of their start date.

Research Impact is highly recommended, but not required for PGRs and staff.

Research at Lancaster

These videos have been put together by researchers and research enabling staff at Lancaster. They demonstrate how Integrity, Ethics and Impact is at the forefront of our thinking when carrying out research.