Ethics & Governance Review Application Form for Students on Taught Programmes

ETHICS & GOVERNANCE REVIEW APPLICATION FORM
FOR STUDENTS ON TAUGHT PROGRAMMES
This form must be completed, reviewed, any actions taken and approved before
potential participants are approached to take part in any research project. i.e.
ethics approval must be received before any data collection can take place.
Your application must comprise the following documents (please tick the boxes below
to indicate that each section is complete):
Complete Ethics & Governance Review Application
Form for Students on Taught Programmes ✓
Participant information material(s) ✓
Consent material(s) ✓
Please attach copies of any research materials/tools i.e.
documents to be used in the project:
(NB: These must be attached where they form part of your
methodology)
Relevant permission letter(s)/email(s) ☐
Questionnaire ✓
Introductory letter(s) ☐
Data Collection Instruments ☐
Interview Questions ✓
Focus Group Guidelines ☐
Other (please give details): .................................

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS
 All research involving human participants1, sentient animals2 or data not in the public
domain undertaken by all staff, all students or anyone acting on behalf of Canterbury
Christ Church University (CCCU) as part of formal University activity requires ethical
review. No data collection can be undertaken until ethical approval has been given for
the project.
 It is your responsibility in the conduct of your research to follow the policies and
procedures set out in the University’s Research and Enterprise Integrity Framework,
and any relevant academic or professional guidelines. This includes providing
appropriate research materials including participant information and consent forms,
and ensuring confidentiality in the storage and use of data.
 You must include copies of the participant information and consent materials that you
will be using in your project. Templates on which to base these are available here.
 Copies of any research materials/tools such as questionnaires or focus group
guidelines, and a completed, approved & signed Research Health & Safety Risk
Assessment must be submitted.
 Any significant change in the question, design or conduct over the course of the
project should be discussed with your academic supervisor. Depending on the nature
of the changes, an Amendment Form or a new application for ethics approval may be
required.
 This form will be retained by the Supervisor and/or Programme as part of the
applicant’s academic record.
 Your Supervisor should be involved in all ethically relevant aspects of the project,
including the preparation of the ethics application and related materials such as
participant information, consent forms, and research tools (e.g. interview questions,
survey questions etc.). However, your Academic Supervisor should not act as Principal
Investigator unless the project is embedded in a pre-existing staff project with prior
ethical approval from the relevant Faculty Ethics Panel (or other designated external
body).
 The Supervisor/Taught Programme Ethics Review Panel can approve projects, impose
conditions, or decide that a project is inherently unsuitable for the student applicant’s
level of experience and expertise and reject the application.
NEXT: Please complete Section A: Applicant Details 
1 ‘Human participants’ incorporates those participating in interviews, surveys, focus groups or
experiments (including the use of human tissue) etc.; and the processing of any personal data.
All research that involves human participants, in any way, must comply with this policy and with any
relevant University guidance or procedures, legislation or additional codes of ethics that apply in
specific areas or organisations within which research is to be undertaken (e.g. NHS procedures, codes
within Local Authorities, Research Councils’ Research Ethics Frameworks etc.).
2 The use of sentient animals in research and teaching at CCCU is restricted to observational and
behavioural studies only. No research and teaching activities that fall within the scope of the Animals
(Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (Amendment Regulations 2012) are carried out.
Ethics & Governance Review Application Form for Students on Taught Programmes _September 2020

SECTION A: APPLICANT DETAILS
Type of Project - please mark (x) as appropriate
Research Knowledge Exchange
Status - please mark (x) as appropriate
Undergraduate Postgraduate
A1. Name of applicant:
A2. Student I.D.
A3. Email address:
A4. Telephone number
A5. Module name and
number (if applicable):
A6. Course:
A7. Name of Supervisor(s) or
module Leader:
NEXT: Please complete Section B: Ethics Checklist 
Ethics & Governance Review Application Form for Students on Taught Programmes _September 2020

SECTION B: ETHICS CHECKLIST
Please answer each of the questions below by choosing ‘YES’ or ‘NO’ in the appropriate box.
Consider each response carefully then check Section C for details on how to proceed:
Yes No
B1 In carrying out your proposed project is there more than
minimal risk of harm, detriment or disadvantage to
participants, researcher(s), and/or the public beyond the
risks encountered in normal daily life/the usual context of
daily activity?
Guidance notes: If you are unsure of the answer to this question please
discuss with your Supervisor before completing the rest of this form
✓ ☐
B2 Does your project include any activities or research
methods included within the list of examples of likely
unsuitable research for students on taught programmes as
included within Section 14 of the University Research Ethics
Policy?
Guidance notes: Please follow the link to the Policy to find the list of
examples of likely unsuitable research for students on taught programmes
☐ ✓
B3 Does the project have the potential to impact on
professional relationships?
Guidance notes: This question is intended to address:
 ethical issues with power relationships.
(For example if your colleagues, own staff, students, or partner
organisations are participants within your research additional
measures will need to be in place to ensure that consent to take
part is voluntary)
 impact on any professional relationships.
(For example consider if your project (including the topic or
choice of participants) will have the potential to impact on any
professional relationships (either positively or negatively)
☐ ✓
B4 Does the project involve participants who would be
considered vulnerable within the context of your project?
Guidance notes: The potential vulnerable groups are extensive, please
consider the answer to this question carefully. A group that is not
considered vulnerable in one context might be in another so this has to be
considered for your research project. If you are unsure of the answer to
this question please discuss with your Supervisor.
☐ ✓
B5 Does your project involve interaction with external
bodies/organisations?
Guidance notes: This may include but is not limited to schools and
hospitals. It includes any contact with external bodies/organisations
including where they may act as a gatekeeper for initial access to:
 any vulnerable groups
 any individuals to be recruited (i.e. participants)
 any data not in the public domain
☐ ✓
NEXT: Please determine further actions by referring to Section C
Ethics & Governance Review Application Form for Students on Taught Programmes _September 2020