Research ethics

 These standards are stated in the Guidelines for Research Ethics in the Social Sciences, Humanities, Law and Theology issued by the National Committee for Research Ethics in the Social Sciences and the Humanities (NESH). These guidelines were last updated in 2016.

Through its rector, NLA University College is responsible for ensuring that research is conducted in accordance with prevailing laws, regulations and guidelines. The pro-rector for R&D has been delegated responsibility for ensuring that the regulations are complied with and regularly assessed. In collaboration with the pro-rector for R&D, the section and programme heads are responsible for ensuring that those dealing with research are familiar with the regulations. This includes ensuring that research ethics guidance is provided, finding a good balance between trust and checks and helping to develop an open, transparent research culture which makes it difficult to get away with misconduct. This does not relieve individual researchers of their independent and unabridged responsibility to acquire knowledge and carry out their own research conscientiously and in accordance with recognised standards of integrity and objectivity. Project managers are responsible for ensuring that research is conducted in accordance with generally accepted research practices and recognised scientific and ethical principles relating to the subject and within the established frameworks. Teaching supervisors have a special responsibility to impart the research ethics rules that are relevant for the subject to research fellows, trainee senior lecturers and students. Project staff, students, trainee senior lecturers and research fellows have an independent responsibility to become familiar with research ethics issues.