1. The Scope and purpose of the policy

• The aim of the MSA university Research Ethics policy is to encourage a high quality research and to enterprise culture, with the highest possible standards of integrity and practice. The policy applies to all disciplines and research activities within the University, or sub-contracted on its behalf.
  
  
• All staff and students are expected to act ethically when engaged in university research. Any research involving animals, human participants, human tissue or the collection of data on individuals requires ethical consideration. The university recognizes that it has a duty of care towards all members affected by the research activities; the university also recognizes that it has a duty of care to its own staff, and that this includes the avoidance of harm to those undertaking the research.

2. General principles:

The University Research Ethics Policy is based upon widely accepted principles and practices governing research involving human participants. The Key elements are:

• Minimal risk of  harm to the participants and researchers
• Potential for benefit by society
• Maintenance of the dignity of participants
• Minimal risk of harm to the environment
• Voluntary informed consent by participants, or special safe guards where this is not possible.
• Transparency in declaring funding sources
• Confidentiality of information supplied by research participants and anonymity of respondent.
• Acknowledgment of assistance
• Appropriate publication and dissemination of research results
• Independence and impartiality of researchers.

3. The legal framework:
   
   All research undertaken under the auspices of the University of   MSA must meet statutory requirements.

• Researchers in particular disciplines should comply with any research ethics guidelines set out by the MSA research ethical committee.
  
  
• Research councils, charitable trusts and other research funding bodies in most cases require an undertaking from grant applicants that research proposals involving human participants have been approved by the University Research Ethics Committee.
  
  
• All students’ Graduation projects that involve scientific and research lab work should submit and receive an approval from the University Research Ethics Committee before starting.