Constitution of the Republic of South Africa

The Constitution is the supreme law of the country. It provides the legal framework within South Africa. Chapter 2, Sections 10 (Human Dignity), 12 (Freedom and Security of the Person) and 14 (Privacy) are of particular relevance to research integrity.

National Health Act, 2003 (Act No. 61 of 2003), South Africa

This Act, which rests heavily on the Constitution, provides a framework for a structured uniform health system with a strong focus on human rights.

South African Ethics in Health Research Guidelines: Principles, Processes and Structures, 2024, 3rd ed. (NDoH 2024)

"These Guidelines are issued by the South African National Health Research Council (NHREC), under the auspices of the National Department of Health of the Republic of South Africa (NDoH), as mandated by Section 72 of the National Health Act 61 of 2003 (NHA). These Guidelines draw their authority from the NHA and associated regulations, and bind all health and health-related research involving human participants, and the use of animals in research for human health purposes, within South Africa (see also 1.7). The minimum norms and standards for South Africa, as contained in these Guidelines, are established by the NHREC, its application overseen by institutional research ethics committees (RECs) registered with the NHREC, and implemented by the researcher(s) in studies approved by the relevant REC(s)." (p. iii)

Health Research in South Africa

This guidance is intended to help UCT researchers outside of the Faculty of Health Sciences who plan to conduct health research - as defined broadly in the South African law - and who must seek and obtain prior approval of a registered ethics committee such as the Health Research Ethics Committee (HREC) at UCT.

Animal Diseases Act, 1984 (Act 35 of 1984)

This Act provides for the control of animal diseases and parasites and, measures promoting animal health. Section 20 of this Act specifically refers to the use of animals and animal-based products in research. The authority which oversees the implementation of this Act is the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF).

National Institutes of Health (NIH) financial conflict of interest tutorial

The US National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Extramural Research has launched a free online tutorial for training on financial conflicts of interest. The tutorial provides documentation in the form of a certificate, which is very important for regulatory compliance.

Frequently asked questions: reportable financial interests on conflicts of interest at UCT

Guidelines for completing forms: HR130/HR131.

The NC3Rs ARRIVE Guidelines
ENDORSED BY THE SENATE ANIMAL ETHICS COMMITTEE

The UK National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs)' ARRIVE (Animal Research: Reporting of In Vivo Experiments) guidelines are intended to improve the reporting of research using animals - maximising information published and minimising unnecessary studies. The ARRIVE guidelines, originally published in PLOS Biology, were developed in consultation with the scientific community as part of an NC3Rs initiative to improve the standard of reporting of research using animals. Details of the guidelines can be found here.

Ethical Quandaries in Social Research (eds Deborah Posel & Fiona Ross, HSRC Press, 2015)

The book opens up a space of frank discussion about the often unsettling, messy realities of ethical decision-making in the thick of social research. All the contributors write in the first person about personal experiences of research. They expose tensions within professional codes of ethics, as well as a range of dilemmas that arose when personal ethical convictions jostled with disciplinary and institutional ethical imperatives. The book is unique in spanning a range of research scenarios, qualitative and quantitative, across different disciplines, fields of study and institutional settings.

Research Ethics in Africa (eds: Mariana Kruger, Paul Ndebele & Lyn Horn, SUN Press 2014)

A useful resource for research ethics committees in Africa, who need to ensure human research participants with limited access to health care choices and from poor socio-economic backgrounds are adequately respected and protected during the research process.

Office for Human Research Protections, US Department of Health and Human Services

This website provides regulations, policies, and guidance for research involving human subjects. It includes specific guidance on informed consent, vulnerable populations, protocol review, biological materials and data, as well as educational resources, checklists, webinars and forums.

Office of Research Integrity, US Department of Health and Human Services

This website provides statutes, regulations, and policies applicable to US federally funded research; guidance in the topical areas of human subject research, publication/authorship, research misconduct, animal resources, mentorship, data management, collaborative science, conflicts of interest and commitment, peer review; and tutorials, webinars and online education modules.

Protecting human research participants: NIH Office of Extramural Research

This website offers a free tutorial in human subjects protection and the ethics of working with human research participants, including a certificate of completion that verifies a user's training on the topic.

Public Responsibility in Medicine & Research (PRIM&R)

PRIM&R is global resource on research ethics, promoting dialogue and debate to inform public policy and to enhance the application of ethical practices in the conduct of biomedical, social science, behavioral and educational research. PRIM&R offers conferences, webinars, 'Knowledge Center' resources, case studies, tools and comprehensive publications to support the responsible conduct of research.