Research ethics
As a researcher, you are responsible for complying with laws, regulations and good research practice. This page features LTH-specific information for those who are applying for ethical review, as well as links to resources concerning good research practice provided by Lund University and external organisations.
Your responsibilities – according to your role
Researcher
Researchers have a personal responsibility for research being conducted in accordance with good research practice and the established principles of research ethics.
Head of research/research team leader
As the leader of a research team, you are responsible for ensuring that all staff with research-related duties receive information on the regulations that apply for good research practice. You are also responsible for monitoring that decisions and guidelines are applied.
Head of department
As a head of department, you are responsible for ensuring that heads of research/research team leaders, as well as principal supervisors of doctoral students, receive information on, and are engaged in, discussions about relevant decisions and guidelines concerning research ethics issues. The responsibilities also include using active measures to prevent research ethics challenges in the organisation from developing into situations that could lead to cheating and misconduct in research.
Courses in research ethics
As a researcher, you should complete the online course “Research ethics for research staff at Lund University” via Kompetensportalen. The course is intended for research staff at the University with the exception of doctoral students, who instead complete a compulsory two-week course on research ethics.
Research ethics for research staff at Lund University (Kompetensportalen)
The Swedish Ethical Review Authority offers an online course focusing on ethical review:
The foundations of ethical review (Swedish Ethical Review Authority website) – in Swedish
More about research ethics on the Staff Pages
Lund University’s information on research ethics is brought together on the Staff Pages. Here, for example, you can read about what applies concerning ethical review and in the case of deviations from good research practice.
Good Research Practice (Staff Pages)
External guidance
Guidance from the Swedish Ethical Review Authority
The Swedish Ethical Review Authority conducts ethical reviews of research involving humans, biological materials or sensitive personal data. On the Authority’s website you will find, among other things, guidance that includes information and instructions regarding ethical review.
Swedish Ethical Review Authority
Good Research Practice, a publication from the Swedish Research Council
The publication, Good Research Practice, provides guidance for ethical reflection, covers ethical principles and regulations, and clarifies the responsibilities of the parties involved.
Good Research Practice 2024 (Swedish Research Council)
The European Code of Conduct for Research Integrity
The Code of Conduct acts as a guidance framework for the European research community – regardless of the scientific discipline or research environment.
The European Code of Conduct for Research Integrity 2023 (All European Academies – Allea)
Contact
If you have any questions about research ethics, you are welcome to contact LTH’s research representative, Marcus Thern.
Marcus Thern
marcus [dot] thern [at] energy [dot] lth [dot] se (marcus[dot]thern[at]energy[dot]lth[dot]se)
The University’s responsibilities and delegation in ethical review matters
As the entity responsible for research, Lund University has an obligation to comply with the Ethical Review Act and associated regulations. The University’s Vice-Chancellor has delegated the tasks that result from this to the faculties’ deans, with the option to subdelegate to a head of department. The responsibilities include:
- Ensuring that research requiring ethical review does not start without approval through an ethical review decision.
- Ensuing that doctoral students participate in the compulsory course on research ethics and that researchers and teaching staff receive the necessary instruction on ethical review.
- Ensuring that staff members receive information on where within the University they can seek advice on matters concerning ethical review.
- Representing the University in appeal cases and assisting the Ethics Review Appeals Board if there is a need for oversight.
The Vice-Chancellor’s decision below contains more information on the tasks delegated by the University’s Vice-Chancellor to deans: