Scope
All research projects should be carried out under the established University Research Ethics Framework. If you are uncertain whether your study is subject to this framework, please refer to the scope of studies requiring ethical approval (word document).
First stage – checklist
For the first stage of the Framework, please download and complete the appropriate checklist below, and forward to the Research Unit.
Second stage - Application to Faculty Ethics Committee
If you have answered ‘yes’ to any of the questions in the checklist, you will need to describe more fully how you plan to deal with the ethical issues raised by your research. This does not mean that you cannot do the research, only that your proposal will need to be approved by your Faculty's Ethics Committee. The application proforma can be found below. You can bypass the checklist stage if you already know that your study will need formal ethical approval.
Download S&H Research Ethics Committee proforma (word document)
Please note that it is your responsibility to follow the University Ethics Policy and any relevant academic or professional guidelines in the conduct of your study. This includes providing appropriate information sheets and consent forms, and ensuring confidentiality in the storage and use of data. Any significant change in the question, design or conduct over the course of the research should be brought to the attention of the Research Unit and may require a new application for ethics approval.
Sample consent forms:
Consent forms should be tailored to the type of research project you are undertaking. Below is a standard consent form that may be adapted to be commensurate with your study.
Example consent form (word document)
The UK Data Archive has examples of other consent forms for telephone interviews, interviews in the workplace, participation of children and transcribed interviews.
Potential participants also need information about the study so that they can make an informed decision about whether to consent to take part or not. Please see our example participant information sheet for topics this should cover.
Example information sheet for participants (word document)
NHS Ethical review
If your study involves NHS patients, their personal data ot their tissue, NHS facilities or premises you would need to seek NHS ethical approval. Note that since September 2011 NHS ethical review is no longer required for projects involving NHS staff or thie personal data, although NHS R & D app[roval will still be neccessary. You can download a flowchart that details the NHS Ethics Committee application process (pdf format).
You can download guidelines for your application through IRAS (word document). Please note than significant changes to IRAS and R&D procedures so you are advised to keep up to date by regularly reviewing the appropriate web pages.
You can download a copy of the University's responsibilitiesas a Department of Health Sponsor and the responsibilities of the Chief Investigator (word document).
S&H Faculty Research Ethics Committee information
Chair: Prof Geraldine Walters
Secretary: Anne Murray
E-mail: anne.murray@bucks.ac.uk
Meeting dates for 2011-12
14 October 2011
13 January 2012
13 April 2012
13 July 2012
Please note that submission deadlines are two weeks before meeting dates.
S&H Faculty Research Ethics Sub-Committees
Teaching & Learning Ethics Sub-Committee (Chair: Dr Roger Dalrymple)
Social Work Research Ethics Committee (Chair: Stan Henshaw)
Psychology Research Ethics Sub-Committee (Chair: Cheryl Pitt)
All research projects should be carried out under the established University Research Ethics Framework. If you are uncertain whether your study is subject to this framework, please refer to the scope of studies requiring ethical approval (word document).
First stage – checklist
For the first stage of the Framework, please download and complete the appropriate checklist below, and forward to the Research Unit.
- undergraduate and taught student should complete this checklist (word document)
- research students should complete this checklist (word document)
- employees of the University should complete this checklist (word document)
- guidance notes for completing checklist (word document).
Second stage - Application to Faculty Ethics Committee
If you have answered ‘yes’ to any of the questions in the checklist, you will need to describe more fully how you plan to deal with the ethical issues raised by your research. This does not mean that you cannot do the research, only that your proposal will need to be approved by your Faculty's Ethics Committee. The application proforma can be found below. You can bypass the checklist stage if you already know that your study will need formal ethical approval.
Download S&H Research Ethics Committee proforma (word document)
Please note that it is your responsibility to follow the University Ethics Policy and any relevant academic or professional guidelines in the conduct of your study. This includes providing appropriate information sheets and consent forms, and ensuring confidentiality in the storage and use of data. Any significant change in the question, design or conduct over the course of the research should be brought to the attention of the Research Unit and may require a new application for ethics approval.
Sample consent forms:
Consent forms should be tailored to the type of research project you are undertaking. Below is a standard consent form that may be adapted to be commensurate with your study.
Example consent form (word document)
The UK Data Archive has examples of other consent forms for telephone interviews, interviews in the workplace, participation of children and transcribed interviews.
Potential participants also need information about the study so that they can make an informed decision about whether to consent to take part or not. Please see our example participant information sheet for topics this should cover.
Example information sheet for participants (word document)
NHS Ethical review
If your study involves NHS patients, their personal data ot their tissue, NHS facilities or premises you would need to seek NHS ethical approval. Note that since September 2011 NHS ethical review is no longer required for projects involving NHS staff or thie personal data, although NHS R & D app[roval will still be neccessary. You can download a flowchart that details the NHS Ethics Committee application process (pdf format).
You can download guidelines for your application through IRAS (word document). Please note than significant changes to IRAS and R&D procedures so you are advised to keep up to date by regularly reviewing the appropriate web pages.
You can download a copy of the University's responsibilitiesas a Department of Health Sponsor and the responsibilities of the Chief Investigator (word document).
S&H Faculty Research Ethics Committee information
Chair: Prof Geraldine Walters
Secretary: Anne Murray
E-mail: anne.murray@bucks.ac.uk
Meeting dates for 2011-12
14 October 2011
13 January 2012
13 April 2012
13 July 2012
Please note that submission deadlines are two weeks before meeting dates.
S&H Faculty Research Ethics Sub-Committees
Teaching & Learning Ethics Sub-Committee (Chair: Dr Roger Dalrymple)
Social Work Research Ethics Committee (Chair: Stan Henshaw)
Psychology Research Ethics Sub-Committee (Chair: Cheryl Pitt)
