Research Ethics and Integrity

This applies to all research that involves human subjects.

It covers benefits and risks, protecting and engaging participants, data protection and privacy, conflicts of interest and the prevention of terrorism. It should be conducted by:

• taught dissertation or fieldwork students, in conjunction with their supervisor, as soon as the research proposal has been approved
• research students, in conjunction with their principal supervisor, at the beginning of their project
• academic staff before a funded or unfunded research project commences

For individuals who cannot give written consent, documented verbal consent is acceptable. If no ethically problematic issues are identified, the research may proceed.

For level one assessment, please submit level 1 ethics form, participant information sheet and participant consent form.

This applies to all research with potentially ethically problematic aspects.

It covers the same issues as the Level One form but in greater depth. This includes ethnographic research where individual consent is unobtainable and administrative consent may be deemed sufficient. For example:

• studies where the data collection involves aggregated (not individual) statistical information and where data collection respects privacy and does not bring risks to individuals
• studies of the development and evaluation of curriculum materials, resources, guidelines, test items, or programmes rather than the study, observation or evaluation of individuals

It should be conducted by the same person as the Level One self-assessment.

The completed form must be submitted to the Research Ethics Committee at least one month before approval is needed. It will be reviewed by a Committee member and further information may be sought from the applicant.

For full ethical assessment, please submit the full ethics review form, participant information sheet and participant consent form.

Research reviewed at this level is likely to: involve vulnerable participants, potentially harm or discomfort participants or other individuals or groups, be conducted without explicit participant consent, potentially undermine participant privacy or concern groups that may be considered terrorist or extremist.

The Full Ethics Review Form produced for Level Two assessment will be discussed by the Divinity Research Ethics Committee. If necessary, advice may be sought from the College Research Ethics Committee.