Research Ethics

DaSCH supports researchers in navigating ethical considerations that form a fundamental part of planning and executing research. Addressing ethical issues from the beginning protects research participants, ensures compliance with relevant legal and institutional requirements, and maintains research integrity.

Key Considerations

• Consider ethical issues early, particularly for projects involving sensitive topics, personal data, or vulnerable groups.
• Document approaches to managing ethical concerns as part of metadata.
• For projects with significant ethical dimensions, external review may be necessary (see Support and Guidance below).

Personal Data and Informed Consent

When collecting personal data from research participants, follow these key principles:

Consent Documentation

Written consent forms are the preferred method for documenting the agreement of participants. Informed Consent Form (ICF) templates are usually provided by the ethics committee of your university.

Data Minimization

Research projects should collect only personal data that is necessary for research objectives. Clear justifications for each type of data collected should be documented.

Support and Guidance

For questions or official ethics review, researchers should consult their university's ethics committee. Ethics committees typically provide up-to-date guidelines, self-assessment tools, and review procedures. For data protection topics, researchers should consult their university's Data Protection Officer.