SEBE Ethics Information Rod Gameson & Richard Hall

Terms of Reference The School Ethics Committee (SEC) is responsible for ensuring, maintaining and enhancing appropriate ethical standards for the conduct of research (including consultancy and professional practice) undertaken by staff and/or students, within all subject areas of SEBE.

SEBE Ethics Committee SEBE Ethics Committee CHAIR Prof Richard Hall Rod Gameson COIN Bob Sarsby COIN Kevin Kibble EAT Anthony Felton (APD) Secretary Patricia Osborne Each Dept hosts its own ethics sub-committee, providing provisional approval

Who Needs Ethics? Who Needs Ethics? n BSc, BEng, BDes Undergraduate students (e.g. dissertation studies) n MSc Postgraduate students n MPhil, PhD Postgraduate students n SEBE academic & research staff (funded & unfunded research)

ALL projects need to be considered for Ethical Approval! Members of the Ethics Committee determine which category (as defined by the University) the proposed research falls into: Members of the Ethics Committee determine which category (as defined by the University) the proposed research falls into: - Category 0 - Category A - Category B

Examples of research for each category Category 0 Examples: desk-top research (literature-based), use of publicly available government reports / data, computer software development Category A Examples: questionnaire surveys, interviews, focus groups, case studies involving data collection by questionnaire / interviews Category B Examples: medical engineering which involves either human or animal subjects

Category 0 Category 0 Category 0 projects are non-hazardous, do not employ participants and use only existing material publicly and legally available in the UK (and overseas?). They do not meet the criteria for Category A or B. Category 0 projects are non-hazardous, do not employ participants and use only existing material publicly and legally available in the UK (and overseas?). They do not meet the criteria for Category A or B.

Category A Category A Category A projects usually involve the participation of people, rather than secondary data sources such as published memoirs etc., but are not deemed hazardous to the physical or psychological welfare of the participant or the investigator. They do not employ vulnerable individuals, in the context of the specific research, or investigate issues likely to give grounds for offence. If a project appears to be a borderline case of category B it should be deemed to be category B in the first instance. A school ethics committee may subsequently determine it to be category A and set precedent for future usage. Category A projects may be carried out by undergraduates and students, with appropriate training, on other courses below degree level. Category A projects usually involve the participation of people, rather than secondary data sources such as published memoirs etc., but are not deemed hazardous to the physical or psychological welfare of the participant or the investigator. They do not employ vulnerable individuals, in the context of the specific research, or investigate issues likely to give grounds for offence. If a project appears to be a borderline case of category B it should be deemed to be category B in the first instance. A school ethics committee may subsequently determine it to be category A and set precedent for future usage. Category A projects may be carried out by undergraduates and students, with appropriate training, on other courses below degree level.

Category B Category B nCATEGORY B projects involve any of the following: nAny research involving covert procedures. nThe use of any procedure that may be considered likely to be physically or psychologically harmful unless the procedure is widely used in practice and potential hazards have been minimized. For example, blood sampling and collection of other bodily fluids may be category A procedures provided there is strict adherence to established safety protocols and appropriate supervision. nResearch that may be offensive, for example, research into pornography, drug abuse etc. Also, research that is contentious in the sense that it may bring the university into disrepute. For example, investigations into some racial differences will need to shown to be ethically defensible. nA first degree in an appropriate subject, or other relevant professional recognition, is a minimum requirement for carrying out category B projects. CONT…. CONT….

Category B (cont.) Category B (cont.) nResearch that requires access to, or creates, data about individuals of a highly confidential nature. nResearch involving participants who, within the context of the study to be undertaken, are considered to be vulnerable. Projects with vulnerable individuals may be designated category A if it is clear that the vulnerability of the individual is likely to be unaffected by participation in the study. nResearch that requires the administration of substances (legal or otherwise). nResearch that requires the approval of another ethics committee, for example an LREC, will usually be designated category B. Similarly, research requiring data collection abroad, especially if the supervisor remains in the UK, will usually require scrutiny by a school ethics committee.

Data Collection Data Collection nFor Category A and B Projects data collection CANNOT commence before approval from the School Ethics Committee has been received. nFinal versions of the questionnaires and interview questions will need to be submitted through PebblePad to supervisor for confirmation of fitness for purpose BEFORE any data is collected.

SEBE Application Form: Availability SEBE Application Form: Availability All students to complete application which is based on PebblePad (for more details see Webfolio page “Ethics Application”)

Covering Letter Covering Letter Every primary data request (e.g. questionnaire / interview) should be accompanied by a covering letter Every primary data request (e.g. questionnaire / interview) should be accompanied by a covering letter nIt should: –Explain the purpose of the survey / interview to encourage a high response –Identify the persons conducting the study –Explain why it is important that the respondent answer the questions –Assure the respondent that the information provided will be held in strict confidence

Covering Letter Template Covering Letter Template Copy available on the Webfolio Page “Ethics Application”

Consent Form (Interviews) Template Consent Form (Interviews) Template Copy available on the Webfolio Page “Ethics Application”

Submitting an application This applies to: BSc, BEng, BDes Undergraduate students (e.g. dissertation studies); MSc Postgraduate students (dissertations); MPhil, PhD Postgraduate students: BSc, BEng, BDes Undergraduate students (e.g. dissertation studies); MSc Postgraduate students (dissertations); MPhil, PhD Postgraduate students: Please follow guidance on the Webfolio page “Ethics Application” A series of submission deadlines, linked to committee meetings, will be set throughout the year (to be confirmed)

Questions? Questions? If you have any queries, please contact the SEBE School Office on