Research Ethics
A guide to principles and
procedures
Dr Ruth Green
Chair: University Ethics Sub-Committee
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
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
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)
Key Ethical Issues
Informed Consent - special consideration for
minors
Deception
Need for debriefing
Right to withdraw
Confidentiality
Safety and risk
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?
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
