The role of a research investigator is twofold: (a) to ask a relevant question and (b) to obtain, analyze, and report data with the highest level of ethics and integrity. While this process is intellectually satisfying, it is guided by an increasingly complex matrix of Federal, State, local, and institutional policies and procedures. To help you in this process, below please find links to relevant information, which will be helpful understanding your responsibility as an investigator.

The Belmont Report
Created under the National Research Act; the Belmont Report provides ethical principles and guidelines in regards human research subjects.

The Common Rule 45 C.F.R. 46
Federal policy that applies to all research involving human subjects conducted, supported or otherwise subject to regulation by any federal department or agency which takes appropriate administrative action to make the policy applicable to such research.

The Helsinki Declaration
Created by the World Medical Association, the Declaration is a statement of ethical principles to provide guidance to those involved in human subject research.