![](/wcm/assets/media/377/banner/28667.jpg")
Overview of ethical review processes
NOTE: All staff and students whose projects require some form of ethical review must apply for and receive ethical approval before their research may commence
WHAT DO I NEED TO DO?
All staff and students applying for University ethical review are required to complete the risk checklist as part of the University's . The set of risk assessment questions will determine whether the project is low risk or higher risk.
Responsibilities for Ethical Review of Research
Risk Checklist
|
Does your project involve any of the following? |
|
1. A physical risk to participants and/or the researcher e.g. collection of human materials, administration of food, drugs, placebos or other substances, the use, production, storage, waste, transportation and/or release of chemicals and hazardous (biological agents, flammable/dangerous/explosive substances, biological agents etc.) or equipment, the use of physical agents (excessive noise exposure, ionizing radiation, electromagnetic fields) or use of invasive or potentially harmful procedures. |
|
2. Potential to induce psychological stress, distress or anxiety, or produce humiliation or cause harm or other negative consequences |
|
3. Studies that may lead to disclosures from the participant that raise ethical or moral dilemmas, involvement in illegal actions or risk of harm to themselves or others |
|
4. Involvement of participants who could be considered vulnerable or could feel coerced or obliged to take part or disadvantaged by not taking part. e.g. people who are unable to give informed consent or in a dependent position, people under 18 years of age, people with learning disabilities, over-researched groups or people in care facilities |
|
5. Deception and/or participation without consent (including covert observation of people in non-public places). Please refer to the British Psychological Society Code of Ethics and Conduct (or similar guidelines) for further information. This includes collecting data from social media posts without consent) |
|
6. Potential to identify research participants in publications or outputs. This does not include taking email details for participant prize draws or identifying participants from signed consent forms or holding identity encryption spreadsheets that are stored securely separate from the research data. |
|
7. Research exploring or involving illegal activities, requiring access to or handling of materials related to illegal activities and/or could lead to the disclosure of information that could facilitate illegal activities. |
|
8. The collection of personal, special categories of personal data* *identifiers relating to racial, or ethnic origin, political opinions, trade union membership, religious or philosophical beliefs, genetics data, biometrics data, health, data concerning sex life or sexual orientation. |
|
9. Any other ethical issues that you think are relevant to your project and not covered elsewhere, including potential conflicts of interest. |
Low Risk Projects:
If you are able to answer 'No' to all nine questions in the checklist, then the project is assumed to be low risk. Complete the remainder of the application form and submit this (along with supporting documents) for low-risk review:
- UG and PGT students apply for LOW-RISK REVIEW through your School's ethical review process (SREO).
- Staff and PGR students apply for LOW-RISK REVIEW to your School's F-REC.
Higher Risk Projects:
If you are unable to answer 'No' to all nine questions in the checklist, then your project is regarded as being higher risk.
If, however you wish to make a case that your application should be considered as LOW risk, you can make an argument for this as part of your application. Researchers should note that SREOs or F-RECs may decide NOT to agree with the case that you have made.
To help applicants plan their application, Word versions of the online ethical review application form are also available. However, please be aware the form is dynamic, so changing your responses will mean your questions are filtered according to how you have answered:
How do I apply for research ethics review? |
Full details about the online ethical review system, along with links to guidance and templates for supporting documents can be found in the section: How to apply for research ethics review.
APPEALS AGAINST DECISIONS OF A F-REC
The Research Ethics and Integrity Sub-Committee (REISC) has the responsibility to hear appeals against the ethical review decision of a F-REC in the event that all reasonable dialogue between the Committee and the researcher has failed to reach a suitable outcome. Please contact the Research Governance Officer for further information.
Appeals relating to the decisions of supervisors or School Research Ethics Officers (SREOs) should be dealt with in the relevant School of Study.
Research involving animals is reviewed by the Animal Welfare and Ethical Review Body (AWERB).
Research involving the NHS (patients, their tissure or data, staff or facilities), adults who lack capacity to consent, UK prisons or probation services (HMPPS) or UK armed forces (MODREC) will require University Sponsorship.
- Externally Funded Research Proposals
-
In the case of externally funded research proposals, applications for ethical approval will normally be made once external funding has been approved, rather than at the point of application. However, as a matter of good practice, all bids for external funding should be subject to internal peer review prior to submission; this should include consideration of ethics.
- Social Care Research
-
Ethical Review Guidelines for Social Care Research [PDF 92KB]
Social Care Research Flowchart [PDF 36KB]
- Research Ethics and Governance Standard Operating Procedures
-
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the University's Research Ethics Review Process
The SOPs for the University's research ethics and research governance review process are set out in the Research Governance Standard Operating Procedures (last updated June 2017)