Ethical Approval Application Form

Ethical Approval Application Form, modified Spring 2012 TPM
Approval Code:
E1- APPLICATION FORM FOR APPROVAL TO CONDUCT RESEARCH
BUSINESS SCHOOL ETHICS COMMITTEE
Dept/School
and unit code:
Please select Postgraduate Project Undergraduate Project
(Double click on the box then click ‘Checked’ for a cross to appear in the box)
Project Title:
Researchers Name(s):
Supervisor(s):
Date:
Applications should be submitted electronically to the Secretary of the School Research Ethics Committee as one single
file. One original hard copy must also be submitted with the signatures of all applicants and Supervisors.
Rationale: Please give a BRIEF description of the project in ‘lay language’. This summary will be reviewed by UREC
and may be published as part of its reporting procedures.
Ethical Considerations: Please give a BRIEF description of the ethical considerations of this project. Please mention
questions raised specifically in the form and, where appropriate, show that the basic ethical criteria have been met in
any use of (a) participant information sheets (b) consent forms (c) debriefing procedures.
This summary will be forwarded to and reviewed by UREC and may be published as part of its reporting procedures.
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Factors affecting vessel turnaround time in Colombo port
Vessel turnaround time is the period between the vessel entering and leaving the port. This time is used to
berth, load and unload goods. It is of importance as the time period involved in the process is associated
with shipping, delivery and manufacturing costs involved in the supply chain management. As a result, the
research will identify the factors that affect turnaround time and recommend changes in areas through which
turnaround time can be decreased.

Ethical Approval Application Form, modified Spring 2012 TPM
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The information in the research will be collected through primary quantitative analysis. It will involve surveys
and questionnaires. The respondents will be chosen randomly and will be consulted before. This would
incorporate a brief explanation about what the research entails. Their consent will be gained and stored
through a written form. No record of their personal data and testimonial will collected. The questionnaires
and survey will be conducted in an objective manner so that the personal bias and preference will not
impact them.

Ethical Approval Application Form, modified Spring 2012 TPM
Section A: PROJECT INFORMATION
1. Estimated start date.
When do you plan to begin your project? 2nd June 2019
2. Estimated duration.
How long do you think it will take? 2 months
3. Does this research proposal involve...
3a. Potential conflicts of interest, eg. roles in research, intellectual property,
responsibilities of funders, research with policy or other social implications etc? Yes No
3b. Only unpublished data obtained with the permission of the owner/archive curator? Yes No
3c. Primary data collection (obtained through interviews, surveys, observation, etc...)? Yes No
If you answer ‘YES’ to any of these questions (3a 3b or 3c), you should elaborate in Q27.
4. Is this research proposal exclusively concerned with...
Only published secondary data sources (eg, material already in the public domain)*? *Yes No
*If you answer ‘YES’ to Q4, go directly to Q. 26, and Q. 27 
5. Your informants...
5a. Who are the intended participants? (eg. students) Dock and port workers
5b. How will you recruit them? Random selection approach
6. Estimated duration of participants’ involvement...
(Eg, questionnaire 10 mins, Interview 20 mins, etc.) 15-20 minutes
7. Location of Research/Fieldwork to be conducted:
7a. Where will you conduct your research? (eg, LRC foyer) Colombo Port
7b. Do you need to secure permission to conduct research at this location? Yes *No
*If you answered ‘NO’, say why permission is not needed.
8. Is this research funded by an external sponsor or agency?
Yes No
If ‘YES’ please provide the name(s) and elaborate in Q. 27
Section B: ETHICAL CHECKLIST
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