University of SussexResearch and Enterprise

Research Governance, Integrity & Ethics:

Key things you need to know in 5

minutes!

Isla-Kate Morris, Research Governance Officer

E: i.morris@sussex.ac.uk

rgoffice@sussex.ac.uk

Tel: 01273 872748

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Governance

• The institution• Regulations• Principles• Standards• Research quality

and integrity

Ethics• The researcher • Morals• Human participants• Research involving

animals• Environment• Wider society• Potential future use

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Research Integrity

• Being responsible for your research practice• Follow the University Research Governance

Code of Practice• Follow your professional body’s ethical code• Make yourself aware of the research

misconduct policy and the whistle-blower policy

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Getting ethical approval isn’t….• …an impediment to research, but a learning

opportunity and an important part of your training

• …a box ticking exercise, but a way of exploring ethical concerns during your research design

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Do I need ethical approval?

• Use the self-assessment checklist on webpages (http://www.sussex.ac.uk/staff/research/spg/researchgovernance/checklist)

• Discuss ethical concerns/research design/if you need ethics approval with your supervisor, SREO or me

• It is required for all research that involves:i. human participants (adults or children)ii. human tissue or materials iii. personally identifiable dataiv. non-human animal subjectsv. fieldwork or observation (includes online)vi. research that raises other ethical issues (e.g. research with potential social or

environmental impact)vii. surveys, questionnaires, interviews (even if the individuals are known to you)

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What to consider early on• Discuss ethical concerns, evaluate anticipated risks and benefits with your supervisor or SREO• Take time to consider if you need ethical approvali. If your research requires ethics approval you CANNOT begin research until approval has been issued ii. If research is carried out without approval, if it needs it, it can be considered to be research misconduct.• Start early if you plan to research:i. Overseas (University ethics approval – requires Overseas Travel Safety and Security Risk Assessment

form)ii. In the NHS, with people who lack capacity or using human tissues/materials (Consult me or your

supervisor, you may need NRES or SCREC and NHS R&D approval with University sponsorship)iii. With children (University ethics approval and informed consent from parent/carer/guardian)iv. With non-human subjects (University ethics approval and Home Office, consult me or your supervisor) • If collecting data think about how you intend to collect that information, include how you will store the

data and arrangements around access and security• Consider how to:i. protect the care and welfare of participants and researchers ii. minimise any risk of physical and mental discomfort, harm or danger to yourself, others and the

environmentiii. ensure confidentiality and anonymity of participantsiv. get informed consent v. provide participants with information about the research, how it will be used and their right to

withdraw in everyday language.

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Your ethical application form• Explain your methodology thoroughly • Put yourself in the reviewer(s) shoes – they want to understand

your aims and objectives, how you want do it and that you’ve considered ethical concerns, ensure you include required supporting documents with your application

• Ensure all supporting documents are attached (where applicable); i. Information sheet and consent form in lay languageii. Recruitment materials e.g. poster or advertiii. Questionnaire / topic guide / interview questionsiv. Overseas Travel Safety and Security Risk Assessment formv. Permission letter from the gatekeeper organisation

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Key contacts• Your Supervisor• Your School Research Ethics Officer • Research Governance Office <rgoffice@sussex.ac.uk> • Your Research Ethics Committee;i. Medical School (BSMS) (has a specific form)

<Caroline.Brooks@bsuh.nhs.uk>ii. Research involving animals - ask your supervisor or me (has a

specific form) <rgoffice@sussex.ac.uk> iii. Science and Technology Cross-School Research Ethics Committee

(Apply online on Sussex Direct) <crecscitec@sussex.ac.uk>iv. Arts and Social Sciences Cross-School Research Ethics Committee

(Apply online on Sussex Direct) <c-recss@sussex.ac.uk>