Policy paper

Ofsted's ethical research policy

We explain how we carry out research in an ethical way.

• From: Ofsted
• Published: 17 December 2019
• Last updated: 8 May 2026
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  1. 8 May 2026

     We have added a section on the use of artificial intelligence in research at Ofsted and by research teams working with Ofsted.

  2. 27 February 2025

     We have clarified how we will work ethically with secondary data: we will analyse it according to the participants’ original consent and protect it in the same way as primary data. We have explained that we will address any potential power imbalances between adults, children and young people during research. The policy now includes 6 core principles instead of 3, in line with Government Social Research guidelines. We have removed the section on appropriate use of incentives or rewards.

  3. 17 December 2019

     First published.

Applies to England

Documents

How we carry out ethical research

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Ofsted is fully committed to high-quality research carried out according to ethical principles.

We aim to ensure that all research by Ofsted employees, or on behalf of Ofsted, is carried out in a way that protects all those doing the research as well as those taking part in it. This document sets out how we carry out ethical research and provides information to anyone carrying out research on behalf of Ofsted.