1. Research Ethics A guide to principles and procedures
Dr Ruth Green
Chair: University Ethics Sub-Committee

2. Why is Research Ethics Important?
It is a reflection of respect for those who ‘take part’ in research
It ensures no unreasonable, unsafe or thoughtless demands are made by researchers
It ensures sufficient knowledge is shared by all concerned
It imposes a common standard in all the above respects

3. Why is Research Ethics Important
It has become the norm as an expectation for research activity
…. a professional requirement for practitioners in some disciplines e.g. psychology
… a requirement for access to participants in others e.g. health
… and a requirement to comply with external REF’s to obtain funding e.g. ESRC

4. What Projects Need Ethical Approval?
Human participants
Use of the ‘products’ of human participants
Animal participants
Work that potentially impacts on human participants
Where ethical approval is deemed unnecessary a disclaimer may be signed by researcher (and supervisor)

5. Key Ethical Issues Informed Consent - special consideration for minors
Deception
Need for debriefing
Right to withdraw
Confidentiality
Safety and risk

6. What Else Does the Panel Need to Know?
Summary of background to and rationale for proposal
Nature of data to be collected
Procedures and measuring tools/equipment
Who are the participants?
Where will data collection occur?
How will data be stored and for how long?

7. Structure of Ethics Committees
University Ethics Sub-Committee
policy making, dissemination, monitoring/audit
Faculty Ethics Panel
routine approval, monitoring of sub-panels if they exist
Optional Programme/Subject Area Sub-Panels
routine approval

8. Full Procedure Complete Full University Approval form
Attach consent form, information sheet and additional material e.g. questionnaires
Students must get form checked & signed by supervisor
Submit to appropriate Ethics Panel – where Sub-Panels exist, staff and PG researchers must still submit to Faculty Panel
DATA COLLECTION MUST NOT START UNTIL PANEL INFORMS

9. Outcomes of First Application
Approved - must begin within the timescale indicated
Approved subject to amendments – supervisor confirms with Chair of FEP
Deferred – passed to UESC (v. rare!)
Not Approved – major revisions and resubmit

10. Additional Issues Changes to original proposal must be notified
Completion of project must be notified
Adverse events must be notified
Some applications will require evidence of risk assessment
Some applications will require evidence of Police Clearance

11. Recent Developments University Ethics Website
Assessment of training needs and development of generic training material
Wider dissemination of key information
E.g. new staff, admin staff, partners
Extension of principles to non-Faculty staff
ADI to form Ethics Panel
Extension to home and international partners

12. Recent Developments
Extension of remit to enterprise and knowledge transfer activities
Auditing of Faculty activities
Publication of new Code of Conduct for Research
Appointment of lay members
Development of Fast-Track Approval Procedures

13. Fast Track Approval Procedures
Accepts principle that much routine research conforms to accepted ethical principles
Form requires checking off a series of questions; if OK add 150 word summary
Student form to be signed by supervisor + one other
All ft forms sent to Chair of FEP for information
Option in student forms for signing in 2 stages