Researchers have the freedom to investigate any subject that arouses intellectual or human concern, and to present their findings in whatever format they deem professional appropriate, without fear of censorship or control. At the same time, any research-undertaking institution, academic or non-academic, relies on integrity, accountability, and responsibility in conducting research, and violations of widely accepted research standards and ethical principles are serious offenses to both the institution conducting the research and the entire knowledge-advancing community.
The AOU establishes a Code of Research Ethics in recognition of the need for guidelines that govern the ethical conduct of research (CRE). The CRE covers all research conducted by and/or in collaboration with university staff and students, as well as all those who use the University's facilities for funded or unfunded research. The purpose of this Code is to promote and sustain ethical research practices within the AOU by providing clear and practical guidelines on the general principles and processes of research ethics review.