Our Research Ethics Commitments

Research and advisory work are different things

Nazui Institute conducts both commercial advisory activity and formal research. These are governed differently, and we keep them distinct.

Information supplied during a consulting or advisory engagement is not automatically research data, and it will not automatically be used for publication. If any research use of engagement-related information is ever proposed, it would be subject to separate discussion, agreement and the principles below — never assumed.

Commissioned organisational research

Information collected during commercial, advisory or commissioned organisational engagements is not automatically used for academic research or publication. Any secondary research or publication use would require appropriate consent, governance, confidentiality arrangements and ethics consideration where applicable.

Participating in an organisational research study — commissioned, collaborative or sponsored — does not mean your organisation’s information will be published. Publication, where it is ever proposed, is a separate decision made with the organisation, under the principles on this page.

The principles we work by

Where formal research is conducted, we commit to:

• Informed consent — participants receive clear information about the purpose of the research, what is asked of them and how information will be used, before agreeing to take part.
• Voluntary participation — participation is voluntary, and participants may withdraw without penalty.
• Confidentiality and privacy — information provided by participants and organisations is handled confidentially and in line with our Privacy Notice and POPIA.
• Data minimisation — we collect only the information the research genuinely requires.
• Appropriate retention — research information is kept only as long as the research and any legal or institutional requirements demand.
• Anonymisation and de-identification — published findings are reported so that individuals and organisations are not identifiable, unless explicit permission has been given.
• Conflicts of interest — relevant interests are disclosed, and commercial relationships are not allowed to shape research findings.
• Organisational permission — research inside an organisation proceeds only with that organisation’s knowledge and appropriate permission.
• Publication ethics — findings are reported honestly, without fabrication, selective reporting or misrepresentation, and contributors receive appropriate attribution.

Ethics approval

Where research is conducted in collaboration with universities or other institutions, appropriate ethics approval will be obtained where required by the relevant institution, sponsor or research design.

Nazui Institute does not operate a formal research ethics committee and does not independently grant university-style ethics clearance. Ethics oversight for collaborative research sits with the partner institution’s recognised structures.

Questions or concerns

Questions about research ethics at Nazui Institute — including concerns raised by research participants or collaborating organisations — can be directed to research@nazuiinstitute.com.