Request for Ethics Approval of Research Project Form - Business Research Methods and Data Analysis

This is a request for ethics approval of a research project on the topic of analyzing strategies to improve employee motivation post-pandemic in the context of the retail industry, specifically focusing on Marks and Spencer. The research method being considered is qualitative study, and the data analysis includes the use of secondary sources. The study sample is secondary and will involve analysis of different articles, books, journals, and other secondary sources. No payments or rewards/incentives will be made to the participants. The ethical considerations of consent, confidentiality and data protection, and protection of participants are addressed. No further ethical implications are identified. No resources or study materials beyond secondary sources are required.

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Request for Ethics Approval of Research Project Form
This form is required to be completed by all students. It will assist in formulation of your
ideas and is necessary for your supervisor to approve the direction of your research from an
ethical viewpoint. You MUST also get your data collection tool approved before you start
data collection.
Name
Student ID
Programme name and code
Module name and code
Name of supervisor
1. Working Title of Study
To analyse the various strategies through which motivation among employees can be
improved post pandemic. A study in context to retail industry.
2. Please list five key words to describe your topic
Motivation
Post pandemic
Retail industry
Motivation strategy
Employees
3. Briefly describe what you aim to achieve by this study. What are the
objectives for your study?
Aim
To evaluate the use of different strategies through which motivation of employees can
be enhanced post pandemic. A study on Marks and Spencer.
Objectives

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To develop understanding relating to the concept of motivation and its significance.
To examine the role of motivation within Marks and spencer with respect to post
pandemic situation.
To outline the different strategies through which the motivation can be provided to
employees post pandemic with regard to M & S.
To discuss the different challenges which M & S faces while implementing the various
motivational schemes.
To recommend some of the ways to M & S for overcoming the challenges of
motivation.
4. Why does this research interest you? Explain the rationale for this study
(refer to relevant research literature in your response).
The rationale for the study was that the motivation is the most essential element for
the success of the company. the current pandemic has resulted in reducing the
motivation and morale of the employees. Hence, this was the major reason behind
the selection of topic to identify the different strategies of motivating employees to
increase operational efficiency of the business.
5. List at least 6 sources which you deem to be relevant to your research in
the topic (using Harvard Referencing).
Chang, D and et.al., 2021. Top-runner incentive scheme in China: a theoretical and
empirical study for industrial pollution control. Environmental Science and
Pollution Research. 28(23). pp.29344-29356.
Dongyang, Z., 2021. Does a green-designed fiscal policy optimal firm innovation
scheme on volatility? A firm level evidence in the Post-Covid-19
era. Resources Policy. 74. p.102428.
Javed, T., 2018. Employee Ownership and Financial Performance of State Owned
Entities: Mediating Role of Motivation. Journal of Management Information
and Decision Sciences, 21(1), pp.1-10.

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Jayawardena, N.S. and Jayawardena, D., 2020. The impact of extrinsic and intrinsic
rewarding system on employee motivation in the context of Sri Lankan apparel
sector. International Journal of Business Excellence. 20(1). pp.51-69.
MULAT, D., 2020. EFFECT OF MOTIVATION ON EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE:
THE CASE OF HAGBES PRIVATE LIMITED COMPANY (Doctoral
dissertation, ST. MARY’S UNIVERSITY).
Yost, E. and Cheng, Y., 2021. Customers’ risk perception and dine-out motivation
during a pandemic: Insight for the restaurant industry. International Journal of
Hospitality Management. 95. p.102889.
6. Briefly describe the research methods you are considering.
The research method being considered within the research is qualitative study.
this is being selected for the reason that this research topic involves a focus on
the various strategies for motivating the employees. Along with this the data
analysis includes the use of secondary sources as this is beneficial in
increasing the theoretical base for the research to be completed in successful
manner.
7. Provide a description of the expected study sample, covering selection,
sample profile, recruitment and if appropriate, inclusion and exclusion
criteria.
There is not study sample as the research is secondary and this will involve
analysis of different articles, books, journal and other secondary sources.
8. Are payments or rewards/incentives going to be made to the
participants?
Yes  No √
If yes, please give details below.

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9. Please indicate how you intend to address each of the following ethical
considerations in your study. If you consider that they do not relate to
your study please say so.
a. Consent
Informed consent must be obtained for all participants before they take part in your project. The form
should clearly state what they will be doing; drawing attention to anything they could conceivably object
to subsequently. It should be in language that the person signing it will understand. It should also state
that they can withdraw from the study at any time and the measures you are taking to ensure the
confidentiality of data. If children are recruited from schools you will require the permission, depending
on the school, of the head teacher, and of parents. Children over 14 years should also sign an individual
consent form themselves. If conducting research on children you will normally also require DBS
clearance. You will need to check with the school if they require you to obtain one of these. It is usually
necessary if working alone with children, however, some schools may request you have DBS clearance
for any type of research you want to conduct within the school. Research to be carried out in any
institution (prison, hospital, etc.) will require permission from the appropriate authority.Provide your
considerations for consent here
a. Covert or Deceptive Research
Research involving any form of deception can be particularly problematical, and you should provide a full
explanation of why a covert or deceptive approach is necessary, why there are no acceptable alternative
approaches not involving deception, and the scientific justification for deception.
Provide your considerations for covert or deceptive research here
b. Debriefing
Debriefing is a process of reflection once the research intervention is complete, for example at the end of
an interview session. How will participants be debriefed (written or spoken feedback)? If they will not be
debriefed, give reasons. Please attach the written debrief or transcript for the oral debrief. This can be
particularly important if covert or deceptive research methods are used.
Provide your considerations for debriefing here
c. Withdrawal from the Investigation
Participants should be told explicitly that they are free to leave the study at any time without jeopardy. It
is important that you clarify exactly how and when this will be explained to participants. Participants also
have the right to withdraw their data in retrospect, after you have received it. You will need to clarify how
they will do this and at what point they will not be able to withdraw (i.e. after the data has been analysed
and disseminated).
Provide your considerations for withdrawal here
d. Confidentiality and Data Protection
You must comply with GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) and the University's Good Practice
https://www.derby.ac.uk/research/about-our-research/ethics/research-ethics/policy-and-guidance/ This
means, amongst other things: It is very important that the Participant Information Sheet includes information on what the
research is for, who will conduct the research, how the personal information will be used, who
will have access to the information and how long the information will be kept for. This is known
as a 'fair processing statement.'

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 You must not do anything with the personal information you collect over and above that for
which you have consent.
 You can only make audio or visual recordings of participants with their consent (this should be
stated on the Participant Information sheet)
 Identifiable personal information should only be conveyed to others with the participant's
permission, although this is ill advised and should not be necessary within the expectations of
this module.
 You must store data securely. Consent forms and data should be stored separately
and securely.
 You should only collect data that is relevant to the study being undertaken.
 Data may be kept indefinitely providing its sole use is for research purposes and
meets the following conditions:
 The data is not being used to take decisions in respect of any living individual.
 The data is not being used in any which is, or is likely to, cause damage and/or distress to any
living individual.
 You should always protect a participant's anonymity unless they have given their permission to
be identified (if they do so, this should be stated on the Informed Consent Form).
 All data should be returned to participants or destroyed if consent is not given after the fact, or if
a participant withdraws.
Provide your considerations for data handling in line with GDPR and other legislation
e. Protection of participants
Are the participants at risk of physical, psychological or emotional harm greater than encountered
ordinary life? If yes, describe the nature of the risk and steps taken to minimise it.
Provide your considerations for protection of human participants here
f. Observational research
If observational research is to be conducted without prior consent, please describe the situations in
which observations will take place and say how local cultural values and privacy of individuals and/or
institutions will be taken into account.
Provide your considerations for observational research here
g. Giving advice
Students should not put themselves in a position of authority from which to provide advice and should in
all cases refer participants to suitably qualified and appropriate professionals.
Provide your considerations for giving advice here
h. Research undertaken in public places
You should pay particular attention to the implications of research undertaken in public places. The
impact on the social environment will be a key issue. You must observe the laws of obscenity and public
decency. You should also have due regard to religious and cultural sensitivities.
Provide your considerations for research in public places here
i. Animal Rights
Research which might involve the study of animals at the University is not likely to involve intrusive or
invasive procedures. However, you should avoid animal suffering of any kind and should ensure that
proper animal husbandry practices are followed. You should show respect for animals as fellow sentient
beings.
Provide your considerations for research in public places here

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j. Environmental protection
The negative impacts of your research on the natural environment and animal welfare must be
minimised and must be compliant to current legislation. Your research should appropriately weigh
longer-term research benefit against short-term environmental harm needed to achieve research goals.
Provide your considerations for environmental protection here
10. Are there any further ethical implications arising from your proposed
research? Yes √ No 
If your answer was no, please explain why.
11. Have / do you intend to request ethical approval from any other
body/organisation? Yes  No √
If ‘Yes’ – please give details
12. What resources will you require? (e.g. psychometric scales, IT
equipment, specialised software, access to specialist facilities, such as
microbiological containment laboratories).
For this no resources like the software or any other related thing will be
required. Only the secondary sources will be used like the articles, books,
journal and others.
13. What study materials will you use? (Please give full details here of
validated scales, bespoke questionnaires, interview schedules, focus
group schedules etc. and attach all materials to the application)
For the study material different books, articles, journal and other published data
relating to the research topic is being used.

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14. Which of the following have you appended to this application?
 Focus group questions  Psychometric scales
 Self-completion questionnaire  Interview questions
 Other debriefing material I  Covering letter for participants
 Information sheet about your
research study
II  Informed consent forms for
participants
 Other (please describe)
Signatures
The information supplied is, to the best of my knowledge and belief, accurate. I
clearly understand my obligations and the rights of the participants. I agree to
act at all times in accordance with University of Derby Research Ethics Policy
and Code of Practice:
https://www.derby.ac.uk/research/about-our-research/ethics/research-ethics/
Signature of applicant
Date of submission by applicant
Signature of supervisor
Date of signature by supervisor
For Committee Use
Reference Number (Subject area initials/year/ID number)………………….
Date received……………… Date approved …………….
Signed………………………
Supervisor Comments:
Are the ethical implications of the proposed
research adequately described in this
application?
Yes √ No 
Does the overall study have low, moderate
or high risk in terms of ethical implications?
Low √ Moderate  High 
Does the study method describe a process
of research that is ethically sound?
Yes √ No 

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