Research involving human subjects requires adherence to ethical guidelines that are dictated by funding agencies’ requirements and adjudicated by ethical review boards. Despite strict requirements, ethical standards are not always being met. Here, we present cases that exemplify positive and negative activities related to ethical research conduct, as well as factors that influence these activities, in order to demonstrate that current policies and procedures related to implementing ethical research are insufficient and need to be improved. Narrative analysis was carried out amongst researchers from multi-disciplinary subject areas (STEM and non-STEM). The data was collected through semi-structured interviews conducted between 2021 to 2024. The study included graduate students (GS − n = 10), postdoctoral researchers (PDR − n = 10), and research supervisors (RS − n = 15). The interviews are based on participants’ experiences in conducting research and their interactions and experiences with peers and collaborators in this context. The results show that participants carrying out externally funded research are adhering to ethical standards and expectations of their funding bodies and associated governmental organisations. There is evidence for institutional representatives carrying out monthly audits on procedural updates and health and safety. However, claims of unethical and/or immoral behaviours or practices (such as selective reporting of data, hypothesising after the results are known (HARKing), duplicate publications) were reported by the participants. Participant consensus indicated that institutions have a responsibility to establish and implement policies and procedures to support ethical research practice. Recommendations are provided on how institutions can minimise questionable practices and misconduct in research.