dissertation

Ethical approval for research project ESSENTIAL for all research-based assignments

RESEARCH PROPOSAL: ETHICAL APPROVAL FORM (printed version is for reference only, please complete electronically and print for signatures)

(1) Applicants (please note: supervisor’s name and student’s name should be included) Student Name: Supervisor Name:

(2) Project title:

(3) Background and aims of the project: Brief description of context and the purpose of your study including key references;

This should be around 2 - 4 paragraphs explaining the topic of your dissertation

Provide the rationale for your project based on relevant theory and research. What is your aim and what are your objectives? Include your research questions that this study seeks to answer.

(4) Key Reference List Ensure you use the UoB Harvard Referencing Style. Please provide full details of 4-6 key articles that you have used to inform this ethics proposal. This should link with the section above.

(5) Proposed methodology (including information on participants, sampling procedures, detailed method attach draft research tools: questionnaires, interview schedules etc. Identification of research design and method Identification of research location and population (including sampling procedures) Proposed analysis Provide a critical and logical reflection of your research design drawing on relevant literature

(6) Duration of study: Please provide full details for study dates, timescale of study, demands on participant's time

Ethical approval for research project ESSENTIAL for all research-based assignments

(7) Research design: Please provide details on the research design, information on when measurements will be taken (times/session).

(8) Details of participants: Please provide details for all participants involved in the research study, including age [units], gender, any restrictions during testing, inclusion criteria and exclusion criteria. Please include appropriate references where required.

(9) Identification of potential risks to participants (including anonymity)

You must include all the potential risks to your participants. Think about your research design and the equipment you are using and what risks they carry. Think about the physical exertion you may be asking your participants to do. Is any of this potentially dangerous to the population you are looking at?

(10) Statement of how risks will be minimised/avoided

You should refer to the BERA/ESRC ethical guidelines. You must include ways you will reduce the potential risks to your participants. You need to include a statement on how you will respect confidentiality, anonymity and the right for the participant to withdraw at any part of the research. You need to state that you will provide both verbal and written consent/assent of the participants after they have had clear, written instructions regarding the exact procedure they will need to take part in. Clear participant instructions and consent forms MUST be included as part of your ethical documentation.

Ethical approval for research project ESSENTIAL for all research-based assignments

The BERA/ESRC (delete as appropriate) guidelines have been consulted to inform ethical practice □

Ethical Research Issues Checklist (Below to be completed by student)

Has the research proposal identified any of the following research procedures? (Circle/Underline):

1. Gathering information about human beings (and organisations) through; ▪ Interviewing, Surveying, Questionnaires, Observation of human behaviour ▪ Taking human tissue/fluids ▪ Interfering in normal physiological and/or psychological processes

2. Using archived data in which individuals are identifiable 3. Researching into illegal activities 4. Research with children/vulnerable adults (I confirm that I have DBS clearance □)

If any of the above are circled/underlined, does the proposal satisfactorily identify the ways in which the following will be dealt with the following (tick boxes for “Yes”): (Below to be completed by research supervisor)

□ Voluntary participation without inducement; □ Procedures for providing participants with full awareness of the objectives of

the research, the procedures to be followed, and the anticipated outcomes particularly in respect of publication of findings;

□ Proposal has met the criteria for respect for confidentiality and publication contained in Research Ethics Committee policy

□ Research proposal form completed appropriately □ Informed consent completed appropriately

Do the procedures identified in the proposal necessitate full formal risk assessment? YES/NO

Has the risk assessment been carried out? YES/NO/NONE REQUIRED

Does this assessment fall within university limits? YES/NO/NONE REQUIRED

For the above two questions you need to have read and acknowledged all the relevant risk assessments and read the relevant generic ethical documentation (found in the Laboratory Community on BREO)

Ethical approval for research project ESSENTIAL for all research-based assignments

(Below to be completed by student)

Appendices

Please include all these forms in your appendices: • Participant Information Sheet • Consent Form • Assent Form • Headteacher/school letter if relevant (Gate keeper letter) • Any questionnaires / interview schedules (questions) being used • An example advert/poster if you are ‘marketing’ your research intervention

Approved by the organisation hosting the research:

The student has read and understood the guidelines provided by the Faculty of Education and Sport on ethical issues related to empirical research. They are aware of the need for anonymity for the children and organisation (school), confidentiality of data, and the need for a professional approach during the investigation to minimise any potential risk to participants. Their research proposal has been approved.

Student

Date

Research supervisor

Date

Reviewer 1

Date

Reviewer 2

Date

School of SSPA: Research Ethics Committee

Signature: