Research Ethics Approval Form: Ecommerce Consumer Behaviour Study

This document is a completed research ethics approval form submitted by a student for a research project exploring the impact of e-commerce on consumer buying behavior, specifically using a case study on Penny Black. The form covers essential aspects of ethical research practices, including participant recruitment, informed consent procedures, and data storage and security protocols. The student outlines the use of questionnaires, clarifies how informed consent will be obtained, and addresses the handling of participant data in compliance with the Data Protection Act of 1998. The form also acknowledges potential ethical considerations and confirms adherence to the institution's Research and Ethics Policy. The student declares that they have discussed the ethical issues with their unit tutor and confirms the accuracy of the information provided.

Research Ethics approval form
All students conducting research activity that involves human participants or the use of data
collected form human participants are required to gain ethical approval before commencing their
research. Please answer all relevant questions and note that your form may be returned if
incomplete.
Section 1: Basic details:
Project title: “To explore impact of e commerce on consumer buying behaviour: a case study on
Penny Black”.
Student name:
Student ID number:
Programme:
College Name:
Intended research start date:
Intended research end date:
Section 2 Project summary
Please select all research methods that you plan to use as a part of your project:
➢ Interviews No
➢ Questionnaires Yes
➢ Observations No
➢ Use of personal records No
➢ Data Analysis Yes
➢ Action Research No
➢ Focus Groups No
➢ ➢ Others (Please specify) :
1

Section 3: Participants
For further support and guidance please see your respective Unit Tutor:
Before completing this form, we advise that you discuss your proposed research fully with your
unit tutor. Please complete this form in good time before your research project is due to
commence.
2

Please answer the following questions, giving full details where necessary.
Will your research involve human participants? Who are
the participants? Tick all that apply:
Ages 12-16: Young people aged: 17-18 Adults: √
How will participants be recruited (identified an approached)?
Particiants were recruited by a face to face meeting.
Describe the processes you will use to inform participants about what you are doing:
Personal interaction with the participants as well as participant information sheets will be used for
communicating about research.
How will you obtain consent from participants? Will this be written? How will it be made clear to
participants that they may withdraw consent to participate at any time?
Written consent will be obtained.
Studies involving questionnaires: will participants be given the option of omitting questions that do not
wish to answer?
No
If no please explain why below and ensure that you cover any ethical issues arising from this
This is because all the questions in the questionnaire are important for attaining the aim of the study.
Studies involving observation: Confirm whether participants will be asked for their
informed consent to be observed.
Yes
Will you debrief participants at the end of their participation (i.e give them a brief explanation of the
study)?
Yes
Will participants be given information about the findings of your study?(This could be a brief summary
of your findings in general)
No
Section 4: Data Storage and Security
3

Confirm that all personal data will be stored and processed in compliance with the Data Protection Act
(1998)
Yes
Who will have access to the data and personal information?
Only the researcher and other authorized personnel.
During the research:
Where will the data be stored?
In electronic form.
Will mobile devices such as USB storage and laptops be used
Yes
If Yes, please provide further details:
Laptop will be used for collecting and storing information.
After the research:
Where will the data be stored?
In Laptop
How long will the data and records be kept for and in what format?
Till the research is over. It will be kept in electronic form.
Will data be kept for use by other researchers?
No
4

Section 5 : Ethical Issues
Are there any particular features of your proposed work, which may raise ethical concerns? If so,
please outline how you will deal with these:
No, there are no such features which may raise ethical concerns.
It is important that you demonstrate your awareness of potential risks that may arise because of your
research. Please consider/address all issues that may apply. Ethical concerns may include, but are not
limited to the following :
➢ Informed consent. – This will be obtained from the participants
➢ Potentially vulnerable participants- There are no such participants.
➢ Sensitive topics – No, the research does not involve sensitive topics.
➢ Risk to participants and /or researchers – No risk.
➢ Confidentiality/anonymity – This will be considered in the research.
➢ Disclosures/ limits to confidentiality
➢ Data storage and security, both during and after the research (including transfer, sharing,
encryption, protection). – This will be maintained.
➢ Reporting
➢ Dissemination and use of your findings.
Section 6: Declaration
I have read, understood and will abide by the institution’s Research and
Ethics Policy:
Yes No
I have discussed the ethical issues relating to my research with my Unit
Tutor:
Yes No
I confirm that to the best of my knowledge:
The above information is correct, and this is a full description of the
ethical issues that may arise in the course of my research
Name: Date:
Ple
a
onl
y
se submit your completed form to the Cohort Leader and a copy to
your supervisor
5