School Research Ethics Committee Application

This document provides information and instructions for completing the School Research Ethics Committee Application form for ethical approval for a research project. It includes details on the submission process, required documents, and ethical considerations. The document also includes a participant information letter and consent form.

School Research Ethics Committee Application Front Sheet
Business Department
Revised June 2016
Field Name Details to complete
Student Number(s)
Programme Tourism Management
Module Code TM6106
Project Title
Research Project
Project Supervisor/Tutor
Please confirm that you completed the form
based on your supervisor or tutor instructions
and recommendations.
I confirm that I have completed the form based on my
supervisor or tutor instructions and recommendations
What form of primary data collection will your
project involve? Use of questionnaire will be undertaken
Supervisor/TutorReview Decision (Not
completed by the student)
See the selected decision in Rubric
Supervisor/Tutor Review Comments and
Amendments Required for Resubmission (If
“Minor” or “Major”, Not completed by the
student)
See the amendments required in the Feedback
Summary of your submission.

Ethical Application for Undergraduate Projects and Postgraduate
Dissertations
 Submission process:
o All applications should be submitted online through the Moodle site – Business
Research Ethics- Undergraduates (if you find that you do not have access to this
site immediately contactIT Service Desk and copy your supervisor or module leader
and [e-mail].
o All applications should be uploaded to the SREC Moodle Site to be reviewed or re-
reviewed and approved by your supervisor or module tutor.
o All applications for ethical approval must include the following:
 A completed Application Form. This form includes five sections (A-E).
Please ensure that you answer all relevant questions and include the relevant
paperwork as requested.
 Participant Information Letter (Appendix 1)
 Relevant Consent/Assent Forms where appropriate (Appendix 2)
 Where relevant, a Letter of Permission from the Host
Organisation/Business (this must be signed and/or in an email with a
verifiable email address).In the case of research in the NHS you must first
have clearance for the NHS research and development
office:https://www.healthandcareresearch.gov.wales/nhs-research-and-
development-offices/
 If your project involves overseas travel it is also subject to ‘Overseas Travel
Approval’ and must be approved by the Head of Department or Head of
School. The student “Request to Travel” form is available on Moodle.
o Further details on UEL Research Ethics procedures can be found at:
https://uelac.sharepoint.com/ResearchInnovationandEnterprise/Pages/Research-
Ethics--Consent.aspx
NB: Please ensure that you have read the School Research Ethics Guidelines notes before
completing the form.
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Application for School Research Ethics Approval
Before completing this form, applicants should read the School Research Ethics Committee Guidance Notes. Sections A
to F of this form should not exceed 3 pages using 11pt font size.
1. Applicant Details
Student Name:
Student ID No:
Title of Course:Tourism Management
Dissertation/Project Module Code: TM6106 Research Project
Supervisor: Birte Schmitz
UEL Email address:
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2. Project Details
Dissertation/Project Title: TM6106 Research Project
Duration of Dissertation/Project:
From: 28th September 2020 to:6th May 2021
Project Rationale
Aim and objective
“To analyse the strategies for attracting consumers after COVID 19 in order to improve performance
and profitability of company. A study on Hilton.”
Objectives
• To understand the impact of COVID 19 over hospitality sector.
• To evaluate the various strategies with help of which Hilton can attract consumer after
COVID 19 pandemic.
• To examine the different challenges which Hilton might face at time of implementing and
attracting consumers.
• To recommend some of the measures which will be assistive for Hilton in attracting
consumers.
With respect to the current pandemic has affected the world economy to a great extent and especially
the hospitality sector. Hence, this is the major reason behind selection of the topic strategies for
attracting consumers as this will assist hotels in analysing ways to attract the consumers. This will in
turn assist hotel in increasing their knowledge relating to different types of the strategies which will
assist in improving sales of the company. also, the reason underlying the selection of this topic is
personal and academic interest of the researcher themselves.
Methodology
Research type- The researcher has made use of qualitative type of research because it will
develop in- depth knowledge of theories relating to research topic
Research approach- Inductive approach is used as by this researcher will frame aim and
objectives relating to research topic and then try to achieve it.
Research philosophy- Use of interpretivism was undertaken as it includes integration of
interest of human into the research and its outcome.
Data collection- Mix of primary and secondary data was used in order to gather assimilate the
data. For primary source data will be gathered with help of questionnaire and for secondary
sources use of books, articles, journal and other will be made.
Sampling- 30 employees of marketing department of Hilton is used for collecting data by
researcher.
Data analysis- The use of thematic analysis is undertaken by making charts, tables and graphs
and the result will be interpreted.
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3. Ethical Considerations
3.1 Informed Consent and Anonymity
For the informed consent the ethical approval form will be signed by the respondent also in addition
to this the dot collected will also be kept anonymous that is name of the person will not be revealed.
Along with this the adherence to data protection act will also be ensured.
3.2 Participant Confidentiality
For managing confidentiality of data it will be stored in hard disk and pendrive as well. Along with
the completion of the research the data will be destroyed.
3.3 Will the project/dissertation involve minors (participants under 18 years old) or other
ethically-sensitive methods/issues.
YES
/ NO
3.4 Participant Withdrawal/De-Briefing protocol. Please describe briefly the protocol for
participant withdrawal from the research and de-briefing of participants once the research is
completed.(will participants/participant organisations be given an opportunity to ask questions at the
end of the interview and/or request a copy of the final report?)
Yes, the participant will be de- briefed relating to the details of the project and if in case the
respondent wants to withdraw from the research then also they are allowed to leave the
research. Also, the respondent will be provided facility of withdrawing at any time from the
research.
3.5 Researcher/Participant Welfare. Will either the researcher or participants themselves be
exposed to any risks or distress as a consequence of this research?
YES / NO
If YES please provide details and complete a risk assessment form (see Appendices)
(http://www.uel.ac.uk/hrservices/hs/generaliskassessments/
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3.6 Will any inducement (e.g. monetary or ‘in kind’) be offered to participants?
YES / NO
If YES please provide details.
3.7 Will the research involve access to ‘commercially-sensitive’ or ‘restricted’ databases?
YES / NO
(You must ensure that you have the consent of any business/organisation, to access and publish
excerpts from any records or information that is not normally available to the public)
If YES please provide details.
3.8 Will the research involve travel away from UEL/overseas travel
YES / NO
If YES you will need to ensure that you have completed the Student “Permission to Travel” form
available on Moodle. This form must be approved signed by the Head of School or Head of
Department at the Royal Docks School of Business and Law. You may also be required to complete a
separate risk assessment form, which is available here: https://uelac.sharepoint.com/staff/pages/risk-
assessment.aspx
4. Data security and disposal
In order that the research is conducted in an ethical manner and that all information remain
confidential in line with the 2018 Data Protection Act, It is vital that participant confidentiality is
respected and ensured. Assurances must be given to participants that personal details will be securely
stored and remain anonymous.
Please confirm by ticking the relevant boxes:-
 Research data, codes and all identifying information to be kept in separate locked filing
cabinets.
 Access to computer files to be restricted to the research team (normally researcher and
supervisor) and accessible by password only
 There will be no transfer of data to or via a third party
 All electronic data will undergo secure disposal.
 All hardcopy data will undergo secure disposal.
 In line with the Data Protection Act (2018),personal data shall not be keptfor longer than is
necessary for that purpose or those purposes for which it was collected. In the case of UG and
PG dissertations or projects this is usually 1 year, unless otherwise specified.
Please state how long personal data will be retained for:________.
5. Other Documentation check-list:
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Please include the following documents with your application – please tick 
Where applicable:
Permission letter from host business/organisation 
Overseas Travel/Fieldwork Risk Assessment 
Interview schedule/Copy of questionnaire(s) 
Is ethical clearance required from any other ethics committee? YES / NO
If YES, please state the name of the relevant committee(s)/organisation.
Declaration:
 I have read the School guidance notes about application for ethical approval. I am aware of my
responsibilities and agree to abide by them.
 I agree to inform my project supervisor or module tutor and the School Research Ethics Committee
of any changes to the proposed programme.
 I undertake to abide by accepted ethical principles and appropriate code(s) of practice in carrying out
this research.
Student Name and ID No:
……………………………………………………………………………………………
Student Signature:
……………………………………………………………………………………
Date: 12th March 2021
……………………..
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LIST OF APPENDICES
Please complete/delete forms as necessary. Please submit as one document
with the application.
Appendix I Participant(s) Information Letter
Appendix II Consent Forms
 Consent form
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APPENDIX I
Participant Information Letter
Programme of Study: Tourism Management
Dissertation or Project Title: TM6106 Research Project
Module Code: TM6106
Dear Participant,
You are being invited to take part in a research study. Before you decide whether to participate, it is
important for you to understand why the research is being done and what it will involve. Please take
time to read the following information carefully and ask us if there is anything that is not clear or if
you would like more information. Take time to decide whether or not you wish to take part.
What is the purpose of the study?
The principal purpose of the study is to increase the knowledge relating to different strategies for
attracting consumers after the situation of pandemic in order to improve the performance of the
hospitality sector. The participant selected for the present study was employees of marketing
department. This has been selected because of the reason that strategies for attracting consumer will
be decided by marketing department employees only.
What will I have to do if I take part?
For collecting the data a questionnaire will be provided to all the marketing department employees
and then they will select the options that are more suitable for them. This will take place within the
company itself.
What are the possible disadvantages or risks of taking part?
There will not be any disadvantage or risk for the participant as the participant will only participate is
they agree with their personal interest. In addition to this there will not be any risk attached as the
participant are undertaking the research on their will only.
Do I have to take part?
You are under no obligation to participate in this study. If you do decide to take part, you are free to
withdraw at any time without giving a reason. If you do not take part or withdraw from the study at a
later date, it will not disadvantage you. Except in the case of partially completed, anonymous on-line
questionnaires, all data related to your responses will also be safely destroyed unless you state
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otherwise. Submission of a partially completed or fully completed questionnaire implies consent to
participate in the study and you will be unable to withdraw your data.
What will happen to the information?
Your participation in this study and all information collected will be kept strictly confidential in
accordance with the Data Protection Act (2018). Unless otherwise indicated, all personal information
and data collected will be coded and anonymised so that you cannot be recognised from it. The
collected data will be securely stored on a password protected computer and safely disposed of once
the project/dissertation has been completed.
The results of this study will be reported as part of my degree programme and may be further
disseminated for scientific benefit. The results will be available to you on request.
Who should I contact for further information or if I have any problems/concerns?
Include both student and supervisor details (Do not use personal phone or email details)
If you have any queries regarding the conduct of the programme in which you are being asked to
participate, please contact:
Interview question
1. Are you aware of the impact of COVID 19 over the economy of world?
2. According to you, which is the most affected industry because of
pandemic?
3. Is there any way through which the impact of COVID 19 can be
minimised over the hotels?
4. What are the major challenges, which will affect the implementation of
strategies for pandemic recovery by your hotel?
5. What will be the impact of using effective strategies of customer
retention over loyalty of consumers?
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CONSENT FORM
(To be used if participants are 18 or over)
Programme of Study:
Dissertation or Project Title:
Module Code:
Supervisor:
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i. I consent to the processing of my personal information for the purposes
explained to me. I understand that such information will be treated in
accordance with the terms of the Data Protection Act 2018’. (Please tick in
the case ofquestionnaires/interviewsinvolving the collection of data falling
under the Data Protection Act 2018 definition of ‘sensitive personal data’)
ii. (Please tick whereanonymous questionnairesare used) By taking part in
this study I fully understand that ‘Submission of a partially completed or
fully completed questionnaire implies consent to participate in the study and
that I will be unable to withdraw my data’.
iii. I confirm that I have read the participant information sheet for the above
study and I have been given a copy to keep.
iv. I understand what the study is about and I have had the opportunity to
discuss with the researcher and ask questions about the study.
v. The procedures involved have been explained to me. I know what my part
will be in the study and how the study may affect me.
vi. I understand that my involvement in this study and particular data from this
research will remain strictly confidential. Only researchers involved in the
study will have access to the data.
vii. It has been explained to me what will happen to the data once the study has
been completed.
viii. I understand that I have the right to stop taking part in the study at any time
without reason or prejudice to myself.
ix. I know who to contact if I have any questions/concerns about my
participation and I have their contact details.
x. I fully and freely consent to participate in the study.
✓
√
Please tick to agree
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓

Participant’s name:...............................................................................................................
Participant’s signature:…………………………………………………………………….
Date:……………………
Researcher’s Name:………………………………………………………………………...
Researcher’s Signature:…………………………………………………………………….
Date:…………………..
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