The Code of Conduct is to be agreed by volunteers participating in activities such as focus groups or reviewing confidential information such as grant applications. The purpose is to:
- Give assurance to members
- Give credibility to the group and ensure a professional understanding of the confidential nature of the material to be discussed and reviewed
- Give assurance to researchers
Members agree to work in partnership with researchers to identify, design, prioritise, conduct and disseminate patient focused research that is relevant, ethical and will make a difference to patient care.
INCLUSION, EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY
We are strongly committed to the promotion of equality and diversity for PPIE Members and staff. PPIE Members’ behaviour and attitudes must be consistent with the aims and values of the Obesity Institute; to support inclusion, diversity and equity for all.
RESPECT
PPIE Members must treat each other, researchers and others they come into contact with when volunteering in their role with respect and courtesy at all times. PPIE members must respect different opinions and experiences - listening to and recognising the value of others’ contributions to discussions. We ask that feedback is constructive and conducive to improving the quality of our research.
CONFIDENTIALITY
PPIE members must respect the status of confidential issues they read and discuss. They are bound to maintain the status of this material and any information shared by researchers or other PPIE members.
PPIE members should abide by the following confidentiality statement at all times:
Unless stated otherwise, all pre-award materials – including funding bids and research proposals are confidential and should not be discussed outside the confines of the PPIE Research Groups. PPIE members will be notified when such materials are no longer confidential, at which point they may be discussed freely outside of the PPIE Research Group. When PPIE members are involved in post-award activity – i.e., active, ongoing research – they will be informed at the start of their involvement whether anything is confidential and when it ceases to be so. The nature of the PPIE Research Groups mean that personal stories and experiences may be shared at group meetings. PPIE Members should not share these stories outside of the group in a way that includes any identifiable information.
INTEGRITY AND TRANSPARENCY
PPIE Members are required to use their knowledge, expertise, and experience to give the best advice they can. PPIE members should act in an individual capacity and not as a representative of any group, organisation or individual. PPIE members must not accept gifts or hospitality which are aimed at compromising their neutrality.
COMMITMENT
PPIE members should prepare for meetings to ensure they add value to any PPIE activities. We will send you the necessary information at least 2 weeks prior to any meetings. PPIE members should inform the PPIE Administrator if they are unable to attend.
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
PPIE members should identify and promptly declare any actual, potential or perceived conflicts affecting them. If you hear something within a focus group which you feel would be a conflict of interest for you, please make the researcher aware. A conflict of interest could be working for or being involved in activities, organisations or funders related to the research, or being involved as a participant in a research trial directly related to the research you are discussing. If you are unsure, please raise this with the PPIE Administrator or the researcher.
OPENNESS AND ACCOUNTABILITY
PPIE members must be open, responsive and accountable to each other, members of staff and researchers.