Research Ethics: Application for Ethical Clearance at UCB

Research Ethics: Application for Ethical
Clearance atUCB
THIS ETHICAL CLEARANCE PROCESS HAS BEEN DESIGNED FOR USE ON THE
FOLLOWING MODULES
LEVEL 5: 1719
LEVEL 6: 086, 843, 875, 887, 1472, 1777, 1883
LEVEL 7: 322, 1533, 1576, 1598, 1639
1. SHOULD I COMPLETE THE ETHICS APPLICATION FORM?
Everyoneat UCB, students and members of staff,should apply for ethical
clearancewhen undertaking research; especially if you are planning, or
required to complete,a primary research project which will involve people
participating in your research either directly (e.g. interviews,
questionnaires) and/or indirectly (e.g. allowing non UCB staff to access
your data/results).If you are planning secondary only research for your
project,you will need to completeand upload all sections of this form
declaring that this your intention; this will not be assumed.
2. CAN I TALK TO SOMEBODY ABOUT MY ETHICAL CLEARANCE
FORM?
Please discuss your ideas with your supervisor or lecturer as soon as you
can, leaving plenty of time before the deadline so that you can make any
amendments if you need to. You will not be able to complete your
application form without your supervisor or lecturer’s assistance.
3. WHY IS ETHICS APPROVAL NECESSARY?
Please read UCB Research and Ethics guidelines available on your module
Canvas page.
4. WHERE DO I UPLOAD THE COMPLETED APPLICATION FORM?
Please follow instructions provided on your module Canvas page.
5. WHAT DO I DO IF MY PROPOSED PRIMARY RESEARCH IDEA IS
NOT GIVEN ETHICAL CLEARANCE?
You will not carry out any primary research and will be restricted to
secondary only research. If you continue with your primary researchplan
your project will not be accepted for assessment, no resit opportunity will
be given, and disciplinary action may be taken against you. However,
please see point 6, below:

6. CAN I SUBMIT ANOTHER APPLICATION FORM FOR ETHICAL
CLEARANCE IF MY FIRST ONE IS REFUSED AND THE DEADLINE
HAS NOT PASSED?
Yes. However, please be aware that any subsequent application will need
to be significantly different to any previous applications and you must have
addressed the feedback given to you. You may be required to complete a
further submissiondeclaring that you will only be conducting secondary-
only research. Please be aware of any deadlines you have been set.
7. WHAT DO I DO IF MY RESEARCH APPLICATION IS GIVEN ETHICAL
CLEARANCE?
Clearance willonly be granted based upon the information and detail you
submit for consideration. If you receive ethical clearance, you must NEVER
change your research planwithout getting further ethical clearance based
on your revised study. Ethical clearance being granted still requires you to
adhere to UCB Research and Ethical guidelinesAT ALL TIMES.
8. WHAT HAPPENS IF THIS FORM OR MY ONLINE SUBMISSION IS
INCOMPLETE?
If there is time to do so before your deadline your form will be rejected and
you may reapply. It is important that you do NOT commence your
research without approval.
9. WHAT HAPPENS IF I DO NOT COMPLETE AN ETHICAL CLEARANCE
FORM?
You may be subject to UCB disciplinary procedures.
10. IF I AM PLANNING A SECONDARY-ONLY RESEARCH PROJECT,
DO I STILL NEED TO COMPLETE ALL OF THIS FORM?
Yes.

Section A: Student Declaration
In completing this Declaration, I am confirming that:
 The Ethical ClearanceForm I am submitting for my project is accurate to
the best of my knowledge and belief
 If the project is not approved, I will not carry out any primary research
 If the project is approved, it will adhere to UCB Research and Ethics
guidelines at all times
 Ifthe project is approved, I will not change the research design
 I will inform UCB immediately if anyone makes a complaint about
thecontent or conduct of the primary research
 I understand that I may be subject to UCB disciplinary procedures for
non-compliance
Name of Student:
Email Address:
Mobile:
Full ID Code:
Programme registered for:
Module registered for:
Name of Lecturer or Supervisor:
Proposed Research Title:
I am applying for (cross one): Secondary-only
research☐
Or Primary and
Secondary research☐
CARRYING OUT PRIMARY
RESEARCH WITHOUT ETHICAL
CLEARANCE MEANS YOUR
WORK WILL NOT BE
ACCEPTED FOR ASSESSMENT
All applications will be
retained and a cross-check
will be carried out on final
submissions
Discuss with your lecturer or
supervisor what research will
be suitable and appropriate for
your aim
Read the UCB Research and
Ethics Guidelines, complete
this Ethical Clearance Form
and submit to your
designated submission point
Response to your application
may include instructions
which you must follow. Not
following these instructions
will mean your work not
being accepted for

Section B: Application forEthical Clearance
Form
You must answer all questions in this section
Please tick YE
S
NO
1. Does your research involve participants who are particularly
vulnerable or unable to give informed consent? ☐ ☐
2. Will it be necessary for participants to take part in your research
without their knowledge/consent? (e.g. an observation study) ☐ ☐
3. Does your research involve children or young people under the age
of 18? ☐ ☐
4. Will your research involve discussion of topics that the participants
might find sensitive (e.g. sexual activity, alcohol/drug use,
discrimination issues)?
☐ ☐
5. Will your research involve prolonged or repetitive physical or
psychological testing? ☐ ☐
6. Will your research involve physical examinations and/or the use of
medical records/reports? ☐ ☐
7. Could your research induce psychological stress, anxiety, cause
harm, or negative consequences? ☐ ☐
8. Will financial inducements of any kind be offered to participants? ☐ ☐
9. In terms of personal safety, are you putting yourself and/or your
participants at risk in any way? (e.g., out alone at night, interviewing in
your or your participant’s home, carrying out research in unpredictable
or sensitive situations)
☐ ☐
10. Will your research involve the production of recorded media such
as audio and video recordings? ☐ ☐
11. Do you propose to carry out primary research in a place of work or
survey/interview staff of a specific organisation by any other means? ☐ ☐
12. Will any non UCB staff have access your results/data? ☐ ☐
13. Will your research involve using online chat rooms, forums or
blogs? ☐ ☐
14. Will you have access to personal information that allows you to
identify individuals, or to corporate and company information that is
not covered by GDPR?
☐ ☐
15. Does the research present any environmental risks? ☐ ☐
UCB Ethical Clearance Form
Revised 15thOctober 2019