ENERI Decision Tree

Related Initiative

What is this about?

The ENERI Decision Tree is an interactive tool designed to guide researchers, members of Research Ethics Committees (RECs), and Research Integrity Officers (RIOs) through the ethical and integrity issues that may arise before, during, and after a research project. It complements the ENERI RE & RI manual by helping users identify which ethical questions are relevant to their specific research context, and by pointing them to relevant guidelines, codes, laws, and best practices. Users can click through different decision boxes corresponding to research phases or ethical dimensions, and they are directed to guidance tailored to their situation (e.g., human subjects, data protection, publication ethics). The document also notes that the decision tree is a “living” resource, subject to updates as new challenges and standards emerge.

Why is this important?

The ENERI Decision Tree is important because it translates complex and abstract research ethics and integrity principles into a navigable decision support tool. This helps ensure that researchers and oversight bodies systematically reflect on potential ethical pitfalls tailored to their project’s particularities. In doing so, it lowers the barrier to integrating ethics and integrity into everyday research practice, rather than treating them as afterthoughts. The tool also helps harmonize understanding across disciplines and national contexts by linking to relevant codes and laws. Because ethical missteps or oversight can damage credibility, public trust, or even lead to harmful outcomes, having a practical, responsive guide supports more responsible, trustworthy science.

For whom is this important?

ResearchersResearch Ethics Committees and Integrity OfficesPolicy makers and research fundersStudents and early-career researchers

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