Ethical problems are an integral part of all professions and academic disciplines (Clarkeburn, 2002). However, it is recognised that the increasing application of technology by students in research is not always matched by consideration of legal and ethical aspects (HEFCW, 2007). Nevertheless, issues of ethical practice linked to broad interpretations of sustainability are high on the agenda of research council objectives in the UK (ESRC, 2009). Additionally an understanding of ethics and responsible practice are an important component of the graduate skills set that seeks to 'promote global sustainability and citizenship' attributes in its students (Aberystwyth University, 2010).

This paper reports on a project to develop a resource to assist teaching in research ethics and responsible practice at Aberystwyth University. Although animal and clinical research ethics training at Aberystwyth was effective as a result of the high degree of regulation, it is felt that social science students were lacking in ethical guidance, particularly when it came to fieldwork practice. Although initially developed for undergraduate tourism students, it is envisaged that the resources can be used by other departments for students carrying out research with human participants (such as geography, psychology, history, education, law, politics and business), as well as research postgraduates.