Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
This is my first application for ethical approval – where do I start?
For general information on when you need to apply for ethical approval, who to contact and how to prepare an application please contact your Faculty Research Ethics Committee (FREC) secretary or chair (contact details at Research Ethics at UWE). If your research is funded by the ESRC, or surveys students across the University, or if you are not a member of a faculty (eg you work in a UWE service) please contact Alison Vaughton at rbi.rss@uwe.ac.uk.
Under what circumstances do I need to apply for ethical approval for my research?
All research involving human participants and/or tissues must be subject to research ethics scrutiny by the University's Research Ethics Committee (UREC) or one of its Faculty Research Ethics Committees. If your research falls within the scope of the DoH Research Governance Framework there are special requirements relating to Ethics (see Health and Social Care Research)
How long will my application take?
You are advised to prepare research ethics applications early as, depending on the time of year and availability of Committee members, the processes and procedures of scrutiny can take a couple of months to complete. An application through the NRES system may take longer than this.
What is NRES?
The National Research Ethics Service (NRES) comprises the former Central Office for Research Ethics Committees (COREC) and Research Ethics Committees (RECs) in England. Its purpose is to protect the rights, safety, dignity and well-being of research participants, whilst facilitating and promoting ethical research. NHS Research Ethics Committees provide independent advice to participants, researchers, funders, sponsors, employers, care organisations and professionals on the extent to which proposals for research studies comply with recognised ethical standards.
Do I need to go through the NRES system?
If you are planning research that:
- involves NHS staff or patients, service users, care professionals or volunteers of the NHS:
- uses organs, tissue, data or other bodily material obtained from NHS patients or staff deceased or still alive;
- uses NHS premises or resources;
- requires access to NHS staff;
- will be based in a social care environment
then the requirements of the Department of Health Research Governance Framework will apply to you. See Health and Social Care Research
What exactly is meant by 'informed consent'?
Informed consent is an ethical requirement of the research process. Potential research participants should be given sufficient information about a study, in a format they understand, to enable them to exercise their right to make an informed decision whether or not to participate in a research study. More
What do I need to include on a participant information sheet?
A participant information sheet should give potential recruits to a research study sufficient information to make a decision as to whether or not they wish to take part in the research. It should be written in language that could easily be understood by a lay person. More
Do I need a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check?
The University is required to obtain information from the CRB for staff, and students fulfilling certain roles within the University, for the protection of children and vulnerable adults, and also for the assurance of the individual, external agencies and the University itself. More
How do I get a CRB check?
Members of staff requiring CRB checks should contact Claire Holmes in Human Resources. CRB checks for students will be organised through the student's faculty. More
What is a Research Passport and how do I apply for one?
The Research Passport is a mechanism for pre-engagement information about a researcher to be shared with relevant NHS organisations in which the applicant intends to conduct research. It includes an occupational health assessment, employment/student screening and CRB check.
Human Resources deal with Research Passport applications for all members of staff, contact David Morgan
Student applications for all Faculties are handled by Leigh Taylor
Note: If you are a PhD student and also a member of staff (i.e. you have a contract of employment with UWE) your Research passport application will be handled by Human Resources. All other PhD students, e.g. those who are self- or bursary-funded or sponsored by an employer should contact Leigh Taylor who will deal with your Research Passport application
David Morgan in Human Resources (extension 83523) is the central co-coordinator for NHS passports at UWE.
How long must I keep my research data?
Some research sponsors have specific requirements for retention of records. You should consult the terms and conditions of grant awards for details. The University has recently agreed a policy on research data management.
How should I dispose of my research data?
Personal and individual case data should only be held for as long as is necessary for research purposes. When it is no longer needed it should be physically disposed of in a secure manner. The Data Protection Act, however, allows personal data to be retained for specifically defined research purposes. More
Do I need to encrypt my research data?
If you are dealing with personal data or sensitive personal data (SPD) and there is a need to store the data or transfer it outside of the UWE secure servers, then encryption MUST be used. UWE has produced guidance on what constitutes sensitive data, encryption technology and when and where it must be used, and securing data on different media.
Do I need ethics approval if I am collecting data via the internet?
If your research involves human participation then it must be subjected to research ethics scrutiny by the UREC or one of the FRECs in the same way as research by interview or questionnaire. For guidance please visit the UK Data Archive.
What is the difference between passive and active consent?
Active consent requires a research study participant (or their representative, e.g. a parent in the case of research on minors) to sign and return a form agreeing to participate in the research. Under passive consent information and a consent form are provided and the ‘participant’ (or their representative) must actively refuse to participate in the research. The lack of an objection is deemed to be consent. Put simply, if you don’t say ‘no’ it means that you are saying ‘yes’! This is considered by some to be ethically questionable.
Do I need to get ethical approval before I submit my bid for funding?
Before applying for a research grant you should always check the terms and conditions applied by research funders. Some require ethical approval prior to application, most make ethical approval a condition of the award once offered.
Ethics Requirements of Key Funders
How do I complete the ethics section on my EU proposal?
All proposals received by the commission must describe the ethical, safety and socio-economic issues raised by the research proposed and how they will be addressed. The EU provides guidance on ethical review and offers individual support through a helpline.
