Research Ethics and Data Protection

This assignment discusses research ethics and data protection in the context of academic research. It provides guidelines for researchers on how to handle personal data, including informed consent, data retention, and participant rights. The document also outlines procedures for complaining about data handling practices and emphasizes the importance of responsible research practices.

The completion of this form should not be seen as an end in itself but as a vehicle to ensure that you
have gone through a process of considering the ethical implications of your research in detail and that
you are able to communicate this clearly.
SECTION 1: PERSONAL DETAILS & DECLARATION
Please complete the header with your name and Department
Name:
Student number:
UR email address:
Programme of Study:
Supervisor:
STUDENT’S SIGNATURE
I confirm that this submission accords with the University Code of Conduct and that
all information supplied on this form is correct
Student’s Signature:
Please use an electronic signature or type your name
Date:
SECTION 2: SUPERVISOR’S APPROVAL
Dissertation supervisors, please: scrutinise the Ethics Application and all participant-facing documentation
 suggest and check any changes which need making before your final approval
Please tick the box to confirm that you have approved the application as ethically sound,
and the participant-facing documentation as appropriate
SUPERVISOR’S SIGNATURE
Signature:
Please use an electronic signature or type your name
Print name:
Date:
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SECTION 3: PROJECT DETAILS
Title of project: “To identify impact of performance based reward system on
satisfaction and motivation of employees”. A case study on Sainsbury.
Research Objectives:
 To study about the concept of performance based reward
system.
 To analyse impact of performance based reward system on
employee's motivation and satisfaction.
 To explore importance of motivated and satisfied employees for
growth and success of sainsbury.
Research Questions:
 What is the concept of performance based reward system ?
 How to analyse the impact of performance based reward system
on employee's motivation and satisfaction ?
 What is the importance of motivated and satisfied employees for
growth and success of sainsbury ?
Proposed start date:
Duration:
Purpose of the proposed investigation (max 500 words):
This section should include the material which outlines the rationale for the project, i.e. why this study needs to
be done. This should be done in a way that is both accessible and scholarly, i.e. have proper cited sources.
Purpose of the report – The main motive of this research project is to analyse impact of performance
based reward system on satisfaction and motivation of employees within an organisation. For this,
they require to analyse and examine all employees demand and requirements and it should be fulfilled
in better manner. The researcher need to identify most capable employees who are work hard to reach
with desired goals of an organisation. Performance based reward system play an important role in
order to motivate employees. For this, employer can easily analyse employees rank on the basis of
their performance and give them reward. It is helpful in increasing their motivation level through
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which they are perform work in more enthusiasm and power. The main purpose of this report is to
analyse those employees who are perform good work in order to reach with desired goals of an
organisation. Along with this, it will assist in keeping employees happy, loyal to the firm and eager to
attain their target. There are various types of rewards system which are given by manager to motivate
and encourage them that can assist in work hard. It is essential to concerned with formulation and
implementation of strategies or policies which main aim to give reward to people fairly, consistently
and equitably as per their value to an organisation. This will assist in motivating all employees through
which they can perform good work in order to reach with organisation targets. The motive of this
research is to analyse the major impart of performance based reward system on encouraging and
motivating employees in order to reach with organisation goals and objectives.
Rationale of project – Performance based reward system is fully based on performance on each and
every employee who are performed good work and motivated with such system. With this report,
researcher analyse major benefits and importance of reward system which help company in motivating
and retaining employees. It can be analysed that basic annual salaries also pay attention of employees
and rewards are various forms such as financial and non financial payment. Thus, rewards can gain
attention of employees to work with encouragement and motivation to reach with desired objectives.
In Sainsbury, employers are give rewards on the basis of their employees performance where they can
perform work in order to achieve goals. An investigator analysed that rewards system is an important
method which does not only monitor performance of employees but it can be used as motivation tool.
With the help of good reward system, an organisation can easily retain their employees as well as
attract new talent. This has been described that rewards system is vital part part of employee
performance and it is directly positive impact on organisational performance. Thus, rewards system is
important for encouraging and motivating employees through which they are work hard to attain goals
and objectives. It is essential for employees because this will motivate and satisfied them regarding
organisation policies. Along with this, it can be used to identifying employees capabilities and abilities
which are required to perform work.
Outline of the project:
This section should include the details of the research methods i.e. what will be done and how. Please start by
giving a brief summary (one paragraph) including how many participants there are likely to be, where the
research will take place and an indication of how long participation will take for each section (interviews,
questionnaires etc.) and in total.
Type of investigation – In this section, researcher required to collect and gather accurate data of
investigation report through this they can easily implement effective tools and methods in order to
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gain benefits. There are two type of research method which includes qualitative and quantitative. In
this, qualitative research can be used for gain understanding of relevant reasons, opinions and
encouragements. This will provides insights into issues and it will help them in developing ideas and
hypotheses for desired quantitative research method. On the other hand, quantitative method of
research is used for identify major problems and issues in the form of generating numerical data and it
can be changed into common statistics. In this report, qualitative research method is used for selecting
relevant data and information in better manner.
Research philosophy – It is the value or belief which can be used for collecting and gathering
accurate data at the time of completing such report. This section deals with sources, nature and
development of knowledge or information. In general terms, a research philosophy is beliefs about the
ways where data should be collected, used and analysed. Positivism believe that actuality is stable and
this can be determined from major objectives point of view without intervention of researchers.
Another is interpretivism intend to be subjective evaluation and interpretation which are required to be
described. In this research project, positivism philosophy is used for collecting and assembling
appropriate facts an figures while completion of project.
Research approach – It is the plan or procedures that will consist with stages and conduct
assumptions and predictions to explain different data collection method, analysis and interpretation.
Research approach is the vital part of scientific investigation which will assist in examining and
analysing whole areas in effective way. This includes inductive and deductive approach. In inductive
approach, there are different types of new theories can be used and it is based on various kind of
models and estimations as per the possible results. On the other hand, deductive approach analyse
numerical data and information which is being determined and based on observation. In the existing
report, deductive approach is used by firm in order to gather and collect accurate facts and figures
effectively.
Primary method – It is the method which help in collecting and gathering fresh data when data about
specific subject that is assembled for first time then research is called as primary research.
Questionnaire method will be used for analysing various respondents views and opinions towards firm
goods and services. There are around 30 participants who are given their reviews and responses
regarding company products and services. The place where researcher collect data and information is
safe and secure for example, they are conduct research in an office or cafe which help in follows
health and safety policies and procedures.
Secondary method – It refer to data which is collected by someone who is someone other than the
users. They are collected and gathered from internet, through market research and conduct survey. In
this, data has been gathers from existing information through available sources and methods. This is
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effective method which can help researcher in gathering and collecting accurate data in better manner.
They are conduct research at the time of gathering resources which are essential for business
operations and its functions.
You should attach all the research instruments you are planning to use in your research, e.g.
interview questionnaire, online questionnaire template, etc. These should be checked by
your supervisor prior to Ethics application approval)
Please confirm that
1) you have attached all research instruments you intend to use, and
2) you will notify your supervisor of any major changes.
YES
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SECTION 4: ETHICS ISSUES
Ethical issues raised by the project and how these will be addressed:
Points that should be considered include:
 Participants and consent
 Confidentiality and anonymity
 Right to withdrawal
 Deception
 Permissions from organisations involved
 Whether any vulnerable populations are involved (including under 18s) (also see Section 6)
This section should have some comment and not left blank.
It is required for participants is to understand the main motive of research and its importance for
conducting investigation. This is necessary for an investigator is to provide them questionnaire sheet
for analyse their views or reviews regarding company goods and services. The main issues occurs
while conducting research which includes budget, cost, technology, resources and workers who help
them in developing appropriate report. The researcher require to make confidentiality at the time of
collecting and gathering data because they required to make fresh information which is not read by
anyone. In confidentiality, an investigator does not share data collection with others and its should be
kept private.
This is necessary for researcher is to kept personal all the major data and information in order to
develop appropriate research report effectively. Along with this, it is required for an investigator is to
make confidentiality of data while collecting and gathering accurate facts and figures in better
manner. There are various ethical issues are occurs while conducting this specific research such as do
not harm respondents, select suitable area where they are locate their business in better manner.
SECTION 5: HEALTH & SAFETY ISSUES
Health & safety issues raised by the project, including any risks to participants and/or
researcher and sole working. Think of hazards, who can be harmed, how can someone be
harmed, number of people affected, what are the consequences, what are the existing or
possible control measures.
You should clearly indicate how these H&S issues will be addressed. This section should
have some comment and not left blank.
 Please discuss these with your Supervisor, who should contact the Head of Health & Safety if
necessary.
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Health and safety are related to researcher and its respondents who are participated in this study. It is
main duty of researcher is to choose or select safe place where they are conduct investigation in
which they ask questions to the respondents regarding company goods and services. They required to
focus on their respondents regarding health and safety issues which involves security in the
workplace, keep distance from danger places and so more. This will remove and eliminate with the
help of using various techniques which reduces health issues and problems.
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SECTION 6: RESEARCH INVOLVING PARTICIPANTS
 You should amend the attached Participant Consent Form template to be given to
participants as required
 You should also attach any other information to be given to participants
You should consider carefully what information you provide to participants, e.g. scope of
study, number of participants, duration of study, risks/benefits of the project. It is
recommended that the participant has two copies of the consent form so they can retain one
for information.
 If images or anything else which might allow the identification of participants is to be
publicly accessible (e.g. on the web), further written consent must be secured.
A separate section regarding this should be included on the participant consent form.
Please confirm that
1) you have attached the amended consent form and information sheet (if applicable) to be
given to participants, and
2) you will notify your supervisor of any major changes.
YES
Give details of 1) the method of recruitment, and 2) potential benefits or incentives to
participants if any (include any financial benefits where appropriate).
(NB: Please remember that written permission will have to be sought from any organisations where
recruitment is carried out or posters placed (e.g. if you recruit in GP’s surgeries you will require NHS approval)
1) The method of recruitment is Random Sampling which is used to select small
number of group among large population. This will help them in selecting such
respondents who are under age of 18 and they are give their views and opinions
regarding company goods and services.
2) Sainsbury company offer potential benefits and incentives to their participants which
help them in reaching with desired goals. With the assistance of rewards, they are
motivated and encouraged to do work in better manner. Along with this, researchers
are perform business functions and activities in order to satisfy all needs and
demand of respondents.
Please confirm that you have attached written permission from any organisations where
recruitment is carried out or posters placed
YES
Will your research involve participants who are aged under 18?
YES NO
Will you be approaching participants who might be considered to be vulnerable (please give
details if not addressed elsewhere on this form)?
YES NO
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If you have answered Yes please refer to the Ethics Guidelines (especially section 3.4.j if
your research involves participants who are aged under 18) and highlight the particular
issues raised by working with these participants and how these issues have been
addressed.
If you have answered yes to either of the above you will need to obtain DBS clearance.
Please contact your supervisor.
(Please note: if you are unsure whether DBS clearance is required, please discuss it with
your supervisor)
Please tick the box to confirm that the appropriate DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service)
check has been applied for.
If you have already obtained DBS clearance, please provide details of DBS check (date,
disclosure number, issuing organisation (if applicable) and place of issue).
If issued by another organisation please advise if you have registered this with the DBS
Update Service and provide reference number and date.
SECTION 7: DATA PROTECTION
Before completing this section of the form, you should read the Data Protection and Storage
Guidance for Researchers. It is the responsibility of students to ensure that they comply with
the University’s policies and procedures regarding data protection.
All research data must also be processed in line with the University’s IT Policy, which
states,
You must not create, download, store or transmit unlawful material, or material that is
indecent, offensive, threatening or discriminatory or extremist.
QA Higher Education (University of Roehampton partnership) has procedures to enable
students to store downloaded research materials and data, electronically via email into a
specially provisioned university secure safe storage area
[e-mail].
SAFE STORAGE AREA – DOCUMENTS TO EMAIL
Before dissertation submission:
Please send the completed Ethics form and attachments (e.g. consent/access/survey forms
and letters) for approval to [e-mail].
After dissertation submission on Turnit In:
After submitting the final dissertation on Turnitin, please also email a copy of the
dissertation with your data collection instruments and attach all of the electronic data
collection/analysis files (all participant related/anonymised documents and ‘personal data’
(also see below): questionnaires, interview forms, interview transcripts, focus group data
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and observation records etc.) to [e-mail].
Questions relating to personal data processing:
‘Personal Data’ is defined as, “Any information relating to an identified or
identifiable person (a ‘data subject) or from which a person can be identified
either directly or indirectly.” Examples of personal data include:
 Name : John
 Age :21
 Address :14, Hadrow street, London
 Job title : Manager
Will the research project involve collecting, storing or processing personal data relating to
research participants?
YES NO
If yes, other than signed consent forms, what types of personal data will be collected/
stored/ processed as part of the research project?
Primary and secondary data are collected.
Please give details of how this data will be anonymised:
Such type of data are kept in the form of privacy storage.
Will you be storing your research data (both raw and processed data) and documents
containing personal details of any participants using University IT facilities?
YES NO
If no, please specify the storage medium you intend to use, e.g. personal laptop, USB stick,
etc.
In personal laptop
Please give details of how they will be kept secure (please ensure that all electronic data is
password protected, and also encrypted if on personal devices):
They are stored their data in computers and laptops.
Please confirm that personal data will NOT be transferred to any party or organisation
outside of the University.
YES
All research participants should be provided with information about how their personal data
will be used. The attached Data Privacy Notice for Research Participants document should
be given to participants along the Participant Consent Form.
Please confirm that the Data Privacy Notice for Research Participants will be handed out as
a hard copy along with the consent form (unless using an online questionnaire etc). (Please
include the Privacy Notice along with your other documentation when submitting your
ethics application).
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YES
PARTICIPANT CONSENT FORM (and Privacy Notice)
Title of Research Project: “To identify impact of performance based reward
system on satisfaction and motivation of employees”. A case study on Sainsbury.
Brief Description of Research Project, and What Participation Involves:
This research project analyse the impact of performance based reward
system for satisfying and motivating their employees in order to reach with desired
goals. It can be helpful in analysing performance of each and every employee on the
basis of their work which are performed in an organisation. In addition to this, for
collecting different reviews and opinions of respondents, researcher are select adults,
youngsters and specialists. An investigator select respondents through Random
Sampling method and there are around 40 participants who are share their views
regarding firm goods and services.
For interview based studies: State any limits on confidentiality
Please use wording along the lines of:
The interview will be tape recorded, and transcribed with any identifying details
removed. The transcript, or extracts from, may appear in my report and in
publications arising from it. The tapes may be heard by my supervisor and others
who might be involved in examining the report.
Everything you say will be treated confidentiality, but there is a limit to this: if you
disclose a risk of serious harm then I may need to take appropriate action (this
adheres to the ethical guidelines of the …………).
For questionnaire based studies:
State that the data will be collected in a way that makes it fully anonymous.
Please use wording along the lines of:
No identifying details will be recorded on your questionnaire response so that your
data will be completely anonymous and it will therefore not be possible to link your
consent form to your questionnaire response or to the data arising from it. You will be
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asked to assign a code number to your data which only you will know, so if you wish
to withdraw your data you will be able to do this by providing the research with your
code number.
Investigator Contact Details:
Name
Department
University Address
Postcode
Email
Telephone
Consent Statement:
I agree to take part in this research, and am aware that I am free to withdraw at any
point without giving a reason, although if I do so I understand that my data might still
be used in a collated form. I understand that the information I provide will be treated
in confidence by the investigator and that my identity will be protected in the
publication of any findings.
By signing this form, you are confirming that you have read, understood and agree
with the University’s Data Privacy Notice for Research Participants.
Name ………………………………….
Signature ………………………………
Date ……………………………………
Please note: if you have a concern about any aspect of your participation or any
other queries please raise this with the investigator or the Supervisor. However, if
you would like to contact an independent party please contact the Head of
Department.
Supervisor Contact Details: Head of Department Contact Details:
Name Name
Department Department
QAHE University Address QAHE University Address
Postcode Postcode
Email Email
Telephone Telephone
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*** Form to be used if appropriate ***
Participant Number: __________
PARTICIPANT DEBRIEF
Title of Research Project: “To identify impact of performance based reward
system on satisfaction and motivation of employees”. A case study on Sainsbury.
Thank you very much for taking part in our study, we greatly appreciate your
contribution.
This study is designed to examine the factors that might … Brief Description of
Research Project, and your participation is extremely valuable.
All data gathered during this study will be held securely and anonymously. If you wish
to withdraw from the study, contact us with your participant number (above) and your
information will be deleted from our files.
Should you have any concern about any aspect of your participation in this study,
please raise it with the investigator in the first instance or with the Project Supervisor
or Head of Department.
Investigator Project Supervisor Head of Department
Name Name Name
Department Department Department
Address Address Address
Email: Email: Email:
Tel: Tel: Tel :
If you are a student at QAHE (Roehampton University partnership) and are troubled
or worried about any aspect of the study, or issues it may have raised, you may find it
helpful to contact the following. The Welfare Service will be able to advise you on
agencies that can deal with your particular concern or if you feel your concerns are
more serious:
Student Welfare Officers:
THE WELFARE SERVICE (LOCATED ON THE 1ST FLOOR)
QA Higher Education, St James House, 10 Rosebery Avenue, London, EC1R
4TF.
CONTACT TELEPHONE NUMBER 0207 656 8443
EMAIL: [e-mail]
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If you are a non-student you may find it helpful to contact your GP or The Welfare
Services above who will be able to advise you on agencies that can deal with your
particular concern.
:
[Agree with Student Welfare on appropriate agencies]
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DATA PRIVACY NOTICE FOR RESEARCH PARTICIPANTS
Research Participants - How the University uses your personal data
Why have I been directed here?
This statement explains how the University of Roehampton handles and uses
personal data collected from research participants. This includes data collected
directly from research participants or where the data has been received from a third
party.
Who will process my personal data?
This statement applies to all research conducted by the University of Roehampton
and its members.
What is the purpose of the personal data processing?
You will have been informed about the specific types of personal data that will be
used in connection with the research project you are participating in, and the nature
and purpose of the research project. You will have been informed of any data sharing
with participating research institutions, transfers outside of the European Union, and
any automated decision making that affects you.
In some cases, your data may have been shared with the University by another
organisation for the purposes of conducting research. The University may also re-use
personal data it already holds for the purposes of conducting new research. The
University will only use personal data in this way where it is legally entitled to do so.
In all cases, the University will normally contact you to give you details of the
research unless this would be impossible or involve disproportionate effort, or would
significantly undermine the research objectives.
The University may in exceptional circumstances release personal data to
appropriate authorities without seeking the permission of or notifying the data
subject, but will only do so in compliance with its legal obligations.
What is the legal basis of the processing?
In the majority of cases, your personal data (including, where appropriate, sensitive
personal data) is used to carry out research, including scientific, historical and
statistical research, in the public interest. Where the research is commercial in nature
or funded by a private company, the legal basis for processing is likely to be
legitimate interests. If the personal data being used for research purposes falls into
one of the special categories of personal data, including criminal convictions data,
the lawful basis will usually be that the processing is necessary for archiving
purposes in the public interest, scientific or historical research purposes.
What are my rights as a data subject?
The General Data Protection Regulation and Data Protection Act 2018 provide
exemptions for personal data processing in relation to research activities.
You have the right to opt-out of any further processing. If you do opt-out, your
personal data may not be erased but will only be used in an anonymised form as part
of the dataset. (Please note that this is separate to withdrawing your participation
from the research project itself).
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In accordance with accepted ethical standards, you will not be named in any
published materials unless you have given your explicit permission for this to happen.
The University considers that other statutory rights held by personal data subjects do
not apply where the personal data is being processed for the purposes of research. If
you would like to request a copy of the personal data then you can contact the lead
researcher. Where practicable, they will provide you with a copy of this data.
However, they are under no obligation to do so.
How long is my information kept for?
Your data will be kept in accordance with QA Higher Education and University of
Roehampton’s Record Retention Schedule. Research data may be retained
indefinitely in an anonymised form by researchers. The University may also reuse
your personal data for a different research project. If it does, the University will make
reasonable attempts to inform you about this reuse and its impact on your rights as a
data subject.
Occasionally a researcher will leave the University and begin working for another
organisation. In this case, your personal data may be transferred to the new
organisation so that the research project can continue. If this happens, you should be
provided with updated privacy information by the new organisation.
The University is committed to protecting all personal data for which it acts as a
controller. Your information will be safely held on a secure system.
Who can I contact?
The University has a Data Protection Policy which sets out how personal data will be
used across the whole University. Further information about data protection can also
be found on the University’s website. https://www.roehampton.ac.uk/corporate-
information/policies/. If you would like to receive hard copies of any policies relating
to Data Protection please contact the University Data Protection Officer.
If you would like to make a general query about how your data is being used as part
of a research project, you should contact the researcher whose details you will
already have been provided with.
If you would like to make any further enquiries or raise any concerns with respect to
your personal data, or your rights as a data subject, you can contact the University’s
Data Protection Officer, via the researcher’s supervisor at QA Higher Education.
How do I complain?
If you have any concerns about the University’s handling of your personal data, you have the
right to make a complaint about to the Information Commissioner’s Office and can do so at
http://ico.org.uk/concerns/.
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*** Attach your research instruments, written permission from
organisations and any other information to be given to participants
HERE ***
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