Conflicts of Interest
Within research, a conflict of interest refers to a situation in which an individual involved in undertaking research has an alternative interest. This may compromise, or appear to compromise, their judgment and the integrity of the research.
Good practice in research
A researcher studying a new product has a conflict of interest if they will receive a significant financial reward if their study results in positive findings. The conflict arises because the financial gain to be had by the researcher could lead to a real or perceived increased bias in their conducting and reporting of the research.
According to Newcastle University’s Code of Good Practice in Research, researchers should declare and manage any real/potential conflicts of interest, which might include where:
- the researcher has an existing/potential interest in the outcome of the research
- there is a private, or private practice, benefit that is significantly dependent on the outcome of the research
- the researcher’s professional/personal gain from the research could be more than might be usual for research
Research funding
Researchers may be offered funding from an individual/organisation to conduct research. Before accepting, researchers should carefully consider whether accepting the funding could lead to a conflict of interest. They should consider:
- what are the motives of the funder?
- are the motives in agreement with the University’s aim to further excellence in scholarship, teaching and research?
- could the funder place any restrictions on the publication of the research?
- could the results be exploited by the funder in any way that could pose harm or increased risk of harm?
- would acceptance of the funding lead to a bias/perceived bias in the research design or results?
- does the funder have a declared ethical policy and record?
If you wish to recommend any changes to the information above, please contact res.policy@ncl.ac.uk.