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Research Ethics and Academic Integrity

Research Ethics Approval

The University of Derby is committed to upholding the highest standards of research ethics and integrity. To ensure that all research conducted under the university's name is ethically sound and compliant with relevant regulations, a research ethics approval process is in place.

Why is Research Ethics Approval Necessary?

Research ethics approval is not merely a bureaucratic hurdle; it is a fundamental safeguard for both the participants in your research and the integrity of your work. It ensures that your research:

  • Protects Participants: Prioritises the well-being, rights, and dignity of individuals involved in your research, whether they are human subjects, animals, or communities. This includes obtaining informed consent, ensuring confidentiality, and minimising any potential harm or discomfort.
  • Maintains Integrity: Upholds the rigour, honesty, and transparency of the research process, ensuring that findings are valid, reliable, and free from bias or misconduct. This involves using appropriate methodologies, accurately reporting results, and acknowledging the contributions of others.
  • Complies with Regulations: Adheres to all relevant legal and ethical frameworks, including data protection laws (such as the General Data Protection Regulation), professional codes of conduct, and institutional policies. This ensures that your research is conducted legally and ethically.
  • Mitigates Risks: Identifies and addresses potential risks or harms associated with the research, minimising any negative impacts on participants, researchers, or the environment. This includes conducting risk assessments, implementing safety protocols, and having plans in place to manage any unforeseen events.
  • Promotes Social Responsibility: Ensures that research is conducted in a way that benefits society and avoids any potential negative consequences. This involves considering the broader impact of your research and engaging with stakeholders in an ethical and transparent manner.

By adhering to these principles, the research ethics approval process ensures that research at the University of Derby is conducted responsibly, ethically, and with the utmost respect for all involved.

The University of Derby is committed to upholding the highest standards of research ethics. To ensure this, all research projects must undergo a thorough ethics approval process before any research activities commence. This process is designed to safeguard the rights and well-being of participants, maintain the integrity of research, and ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations.

If you are unsure whether your project requires ethical approval, it is always best to consult with your supervisor or the Research Ethics Committee.

The Research Ethics Approval Process

The research ethics approval process at the University of Derby involves several key stages:

  1. Project Planning and Design: Researchers must carefully consider the ethical implications of their research design, methodology, and potential risks to participants. This includes identifying any vulnerable populations, sensitive topics, or potential conflicts of interest.
  2. Ethics Application Submission: Researchers must submit a detailed ethics application through the Ethics Monitor system. This application should outline the research objectives, methodology, participant recruitment and consent procedures, data management plans, and risk mitigation strategies.
  3. Ethics Review: The application is reviewed by the relevant College Research Ethics Committee (CREC), a subcommittee of the College Research Committee. The CREC assesses the ethical implications of the research and ensures that it aligns with the University's Research Ethics Policy and relevant regulations.
  4. Decision and Feedback: The CREC communicates its decision to the researcher, which may be approval, a request for further information, or rejection. If approved, the research can proceed as planned. If further information is requested, the researcher must revise and resubmit their application. If rejected, the researcher must address the ethical concerns raised by the CREC before resubmitting.
  5. Amendments and Monitoring: Throughout the research project, any changes to the research design or procedures must be communicated to the CREC for approval. The CREC may also monitor the progress of the research to ensure ongoing ethical compliance.

Roles and Responsibilities

  • Researchers: Researchers are responsible for understanding and adhering to the University's Research Ethics Policy and Procedures. They must design ethically sound research, obtain informed consent from participants, protect participant confidentiality, and report any ethical concerns that arise during the research process.
  • Supervisors: Supervisors play a crucial role in guiding and supporting researchers throughout the ethics approval process. They must ensure that research proposals are ethically sound, provide feedback on ethics applications, and monitor the ethical conduct of research under their supervision.
  • Ethics Committees: The University Research Ethics Committee (UREC) oversees the research ethics approval process at the university level. College Research Ethics Committees (CRECs) are responsible for reviewing and approving research ethics applications within their respective colleges.

Types of Research Requiring Ethics Approval

All research projects involving human participants, animals, or sensitive data must undergo ethical review. This includes research conducted by staff, students, and visiting researchers. Some examples of research that typically require ethics approval include:

  • Research involving vulnerable populations (e.g., children, prisoners, individuals with disabilities)
  • Research on sensitive topics (e.g., trauma, mental health, sexuality)
  • Research involving deception or potential risks to participants
  • Research using sensitive personal data

How to Submit an Ethics Application

Research ethics applications are submitted through the Ethics Monitor system. The system provides detailed guidance on how to complete the application form and what information to include. Researchers are encouraged to consult with their supervisors and the CREC Chair for support throughout the application process.

Review Process and Timelines

The review process typically takes several weeks, depending on the complexity of the research and the volume of applications received by the CREC. Researchers should submit their applications well in advance of their planned research start date to allow sufficient time for review and any necessary revisions.

Amendments and Appeals

If researchers need to make changes to their approved research project, they must submit an amendment request through Ethics Monitor. The CREC will review the proposed changes and determine whether they require further ethical review. If a researcher disagrees with a CREC decision, they can appeal the decision following the university's appeals process.

Remember: Research ethics approval is not a one-time event. It is an ongoing process that requires your active engagement and commitment to ethical research practices throughout your project.

  • Beneficence: The principle that research should aim to do good and maximise benefits for participants and society while minimising potential harm.
  • College Research Ethics Committee (CREC): A committee within each college responsible for reviewing and approving research ethics applications.
  • Confidentiality: The ethical principle of protecting the privacy of research participants and ensuring that their personal information is not disclosed without their consent.
  • Ethics Monitor: The online system used by the University of Derby to manage and monitor research ethics applications.
  • Informed Consent: The process of obtaining permission from research participants before they participate in a study. This involves providing them with clear and comprehensive information about the research, including its purpose, procedures, risks, and benefits, so they can make an informed decision about whether or not to participate.
  • Non-Maleficence: The principle of "do no harm." Researchers must take precautions to avoid causing any physical, psychological, or social harm to participants or others involved in the research.
  • Principal Investigator: The lead researcher responsible for the design, conduct, and overall management of a research project.
  • Research Ethics Application: A formal document submitted by researchers to seek ethical approval for their research project. It outlines the research objectives, methodology, participant recruitment and consent procedures, data management plans, and risk mitigation strategies.
  • Research Misconduct: Fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism in proposing, performing, or reviewing research, or in reporting research results.
  • University Research Ethics Committee (UREC): A university-level committee responsible for overseeing research ethics and ensuring compliance with ethical standards across all research conducted at the university.
  • Vulnerable Populations: Groups of individuals who may be particularly susceptible to harm or exploitation in research, such as children, prisoners, individuals with disabilities, or those from marginalised communities.

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