7 Seminar Six
This week you learnt about the importance of ethics in research in safeguarding the rights, well-being, and privacy of research participants, as well as upholding the integrity and credibility of the research itself. As a student planning to conduct experimental research, you are required to submit a research protocol to the ethics committee for review. The universities ethics committee will evaluate the ethical implications of the research, including participant welfare, informed consent, confidentiality, and potential risks and benefits.
7.1 Task 1
Staffordshire University Research Governance All research requires ethical approval. However, depending on the nature of the research you are planning to do, different levels of approval are needed. There are three levels of ethical approval:
- Disclaimer
- Proportionate review
- Full ethics
7.2 Task 2
Below are details about the different levels of ethical review. Read each of them and determine which level of ethical approval you will need for the pilot trial you are proposing.
- Disclaimer
- If your research doesn’t involve people or animals, doesn’t pose risks to others, doesn’t raise social or environmental concerns, and doesn’t use sensitive personal data.
- Proportionate
- The Proportionate Review process is used when the research has very low ethical risks. For this to apply, the research should focus on topics that are not very sensitive, not disturb others too much, and involve participants who are not vulnerable. Examples include using anonymous surveys, using human data without any personal details, or repeating a study that was already approved before.
- Full Ethics
- Full research ethical review is necessary for studies with more than minimal risk. This review ensures that ethical guidelines are followed, especially when dealing with vulnerable groups, sensitive topics, or situations that could potentially harm participants.
- Examples of Studies Requiring Full Review:
- Research involving vulnerable groups like children, individuals with learning disabilities, or those in unequal relationships.
- Studies on sensitive topics like sexual behavior, illegal activities, violence, abuse, mental health, or gender/ethnic status.
- Research requiring access to certain groups, where permission is needed from a gatekeeper for initial access.
- Studies involving deception or incomplete informed consent.
- Research accessing personal or confidential information, including genetic data.
- Projects causing psychological stress, anxiety, or more than minimal pain.
- Studies with intrusive interventions like drug administration, vigorous exercise, or hypnotherapy.
7.3 Task 3
Once you have compiled your research protocol, you will need to use the information to complete the appropriate ethics application. Download and ‘save as’ on your own university Onedrive the relevant ethics form and begin filling it out.