BPS Code of Human Research Ethics

Decision Pathway for Ethical Research Planning

How to use this pathway

Work through each stage sequentially when planning your research. If you cannot confidently answer a question, this signals an area requiring redesign, mitigation, or supervisory discussion. Complete all checkpoints before moving to the next stage.

Progress: 0% complete

Define the Purpose

Establish the scholarly or professional value of your research

▶

Key questions to consider:

What is the scholarly or professional value of your research? Does the potential contribution justify involving human participants?

I can clearly articulate the scholarly or professional contribution my research will make

The research question addresses a genuine gap in knowledge or practice

The involvement of human participants is necessary and justified for this research

I have considered whether the research could be conducted without human participants

💡 Guidance

Research that involves humans should contribute to knowledge or understanding. Poorly designed research wastes resources and devalues participants' contribution. Consider whether your research question is clear, focused, and achievable.

BPS Code Reference: Section 2.2 Scientific Integrity - "Research should be designed, reviewed and conducted in a way that ensures its quality, integrity and contribution to the development of knowledge and understanding."

⚠️ Action Required

You need to complete all checkpoints before proceeding. If you cannot tick an item, discuss with your supervisor before continuing.

Identify Ethical Principles

Apply the four core principles of research ethics

▶

The four core principles:

How does your study uphold autonomy, dignity and privacy? Are you demonstrating scientific integrity? Have you considered your wider social responsibility? Are benefits maximised and harm minimised?

Respect for autonomy, privacy and dignity: My research respects participants' right to make informed decisions about their involvement

Scientific integrity: My research design is robust, transparent, and appropriate for the research question

Social responsibility: I have considered the broader implications of my research for society

Maximising benefit, minimising harm: The potential benefits of my research outweigh any risks to participants

💡 Guidance

These four principles form the foundation of ethical research practice. They should inform every decision you make throughout the research process, from design to dissemination.

Autonomy includes respecting individual, cultural and role differences
Scientific integrity means your methods can withstand scrutiny
Social responsibility extends to considering unexpected outcomes
Harm can be psychological, social, legal, or reputational

BPS Code Reference: Section 2 The Principles - These four principles underpin all ethical research conduct and should be considered at every stage of the research process.

⚠️ Action Required

All four principles must be addressed. If you cannot confirm adherence to any principle, your research design needs revision.

Evaluate Risk

Identify and assess potential harms

▶

Key questions to consider:

What psychological, social, legal or reputational harms could arise? Who might be affected directly or indirectly? Is the level of risk proportionate to the research aims?

I have identified all potential risks to participants (psychological, social, legal, reputational)

I have considered who might be affected beyond primary participants (family, colleagues, communities)

The level of risk is proportionate to the potential benefits of the research

Risk of harm is no greater than that encountered in ordinary life (or I can justify why greater risk is necessary)

💡 Types of risk to consider

Psychological: Distress, anxiety, self-doubt, negative self-perception
Social: Damage to relationships, social status, reputation
Legal: Disclosure of illegal activities, immigration status
Reputational: Professional standing, employment implications
Physical: Any bodily harm or discomfort

BPS Code Reference: Section 3 Risk - "Normally, the risk of harm should be no greater than that encountered in ordinary life, i.e. people should not be exposed to risks greater than or additional to those to which they are exposed in their normal lifestyles."

⚠️ Action Required

If risks are identified that cannot be adequately managed, the research design must be revised or the study may not be ethically viable.

Examine Power and Vulnerability

Consider relationships and special safeguards

▶

Key questions to consider:

Are participants in a dependent relationship with you or the institution? Could consent be influenced by perceived obligation? What additional safeguards are required?

I have identified any power dynamics between myself and potential participants

Participants are not in a dependent or unequal relationship with me (or I have safeguards in place)

I have considered whether any participants may be classed as vulnerable and planned appropriate safeguards

Recruitment processes do not involve coercion or undue inducement

💡 Vulnerable populations include:

Children under 16
Persons lacking mental capacity
Those in dependent relationships (students, employees, clients)
People in care or custody
Those who have experienced trauma
People engaged in illegal activities

BPS Code Reference: Section 4.4 - "Special safeguards need to be in place for research with vulnerable populations and persons with specific vulnerabilities."

⚠️ Action Required

Research involving vulnerable participants requires additional ethical consideration and may need external ethics review (e.g., HRA for NHS patients).

Test Consent

Ensure valid informed consent processes

▶

Key questions to consider:

Will participants receive clear, accessible information? Can they realistically decline without consequence? Can they withdraw within agreed limits?

Participants will receive clear, accessible information about the research before agreeing to take part

Participants can realistically decline to participate without any negative consequences

Participants can withdraw their data within clearly specified limits (and these limits will be communicated)

Consent will be documented appropriately (written, verbal recording, or other auditable method)

If any deception or withholding of information is necessary, this is justified and participants will be fully debriefed

💡 Information to provide to participants

Aims of the project
What participation involves
Time commitment
Any risks and how they will be managed
Confidentiality and anonymity arrangements
Right to withdraw (with deadline)
How data will be stored and used
Contact details for queries or complaints

BPS Code Reference: Section 4 Valid Consent - "Consent is not valid unless it is given from an informed perspective."

⚠️ Action Required

Valid consent is fundamental to ethical research. All elements must be in place before data collection begins.

Protect Data and Confidentiality

Plan secure data handling and storage

▶

Key questions to consider:

Can identities be protected? Are the limits of confidentiality transparent? Is data storage secure and compliant?

I have a clear plan for protecting participant identities (anonymisation or pseudonymisation)

Any limits to confidentiality will be clearly explained to participants (e.g., safeguarding disclosures)

Data will be stored securely in compliance with GDPR and institutional policies

I have a clear plan for data retention and secure destruction

Consent forms will be stored separately from data to protect participant identity

💡 Data protection considerations

Use university-approved storage (e.g., OneDrive, not personal devices)
Separate identifying information from research data
Use participant codes rather than names
Consider whether audio/video recordings are necessary
Plan for secure transcription if using recordings
Specify retention period and destruction method

BPS Code Reference: Section 5 Confidentiality - "Information obtained from and about a participant during an investigation is confidential unless otherwise agreed in advance."

⚠️ Action Required

Data protection is a legal requirement. Ensure your data management plan is compliant before beginning data collection.

Plan Harm Mitigation

Prepare responses to potential distress

▶

Key questions to consider:

What will you do if distress occurs? Is there a referral or support pathway if needed? How will you minimise potential after-effects?

I have a clear plan for responding if a participant becomes distressed during data collection

I have identified appropriate support resources to signpost participants to if needed

I have planned an appropriate debriefing process for participants

I have considered my own wellbeing and have access to support if needed

💡 Harm mitigation strategies

Prepare a list of support services relevant to your topic
Know when and how to pause or stop data collection
Plan follow-up contact if appropriate
Consider using distress protocols if topic is sensitive
Ensure debriefing addresses any deception or negative mood induction
Arrange supervision or peer support for yourself as researcher

BPS Code Reference: Section 6 Giving Advice and Section 10 Debriefing - Researchers have a responsibility to provide appropriate support and information to participants.

⚠️ Action Required

You must have clear protocols in place for managing distress before beginning data collection.

Anticipate Ethics Review

Prepare for independent scrutiny

▶

Key questions to consider:

Would an independent panel judge this research to be responsible and proportionate? Can you clearly justify your ethical decisions?

An independent panel would judge my research to be responsible and proportionate

I can clearly justify every ethical decision I have made

I have prepared all required documentation (participant information, consent form, debrief)

I am ready to respond constructively to feedback from reviewers

💡 Preparing for ethics review

Ethics review is a formative process designed to help you conduct better research. Approach it positively as an opportunity for feedback. Common areas reviewers focus on:

Clarity of information provided to participants
Proportionality of consent procedures to risk level
Adequacy of data protection measures
Appropriateness of recruitment methods
Quality of risk assessment and mitigation plans

BPS Code Reference: Section 11 - "External scrutiny by an independent panel offers the opportunity for formative input to help researchers avoid risks and maximise benefits."

⚠️ Action Required

Do not submit for ethics review until you can confidently answer all questions in this pathway.

Make a Professional Judgement

Final assessment of ethical readiness

▶

Final assessment:

If concerns remain unresolved, your study is not ethically ready. Return to the design stage, refine the methodology, and seek supervisory guidance before proceeding.

I have worked through all previous stages and can confirm all requirements are met

I have no unresolved ethical concerns about my research

I am confident my research is responsible, respectful, and professionally defensible

I understand that ethical thinking continues throughout the research process, not just at approval stage

💡 Remember

Ethics is an end-to-end process in research. Ethical issues pervade all stages from inception through to dissemination and application. A favourable ethics opinion is a necessary but not sufficient condition for research to proceed; you must continue to act ethically throughout your project.

BPS Code Reference: Introduction - "No Code can replace the need for psychologists to use their professional and ethical judgement."

⚠️ Not Ready

If you cannot confirm all items, return to the relevant stage and address the outstanding issues before proceeding.

✅

Ethics Pathway Complete

You have worked through all stages of the ethics decision pathway. Your research appears to be ethically ready for formal ethics review.

Next steps:

Complete your institution's ethics application form
Prepare all supporting documents (participant information sheet, consent form, debrief)
Submit for ethics review
Continue to apply ethical thinking throughout your research

⚠️

Further Work Required

Some stages of the pathway are incomplete. Please return to the stages marked as incomplete and address all checkpoints before proceeding with your ethics application.

If you are unable to complete certain checkpoints, discuss with your supervisor.