MBA International: Analyzing Senior Leadership in Higher Education

This document is a Stage 1 Research Ethics Application Form for an MBA International student's dissertation, focusing on the impacts of senior leadership management in higher education. The research employs a quantitative approach, utilizing positivism philosophy, a deductive approach, and questionnaires to gather primary data from a probability sample of 20 students within the UK higher education sector. The study explores the concept of senior leadership, effective leadership types, its significance, and its impact on student outcomes, while also addressing challenges and potential solutions. The research aims to provide valuable insights for both society and the economy by enhancing understanding of senior leadership's role and improving research skills. The application form includes a research ethics checklist, assessing potential risks and ethical considerations, and confirms that the research involves human participants and utilizes data that is not publically available.

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Stage 1 Research Ethics Application Form
Section 1: Details of the Researcher and their Research
N.B. If you are conducting research that involves ‘animals (dead or
alive) and significant habitats’, please use the Stage 1 Research Ethics
Application Form involving Animals and Habitats (s).
Applicants carrying out research with children or vulnerable adults may also
need to carry out an online Safeguarding course and submit the pass
certificate with their ethics application. Please refer to the Question
Specific Advice for the Stage 1 Research Ethics Application Form at the
above weblink.
Researcher details
First name
Family name
School/Faculty
Email address
Name of institution where you study or
work
N/A
Are you:
Please tick
◻ Undergraduate (UG) Student
 Postgraduate Taught (PGT) Student
◻Postgraduate Research (PGR) Student
◻ Member of ARU Staff
◻ Member of ARU staff carrying out Masters/Doctorate research
Students (including staff proposing research on a course/programme)
Your SID
Your course/programme title MBA International
Name of your First Supervisor (for PGR) or
Supervisor (for UG and PGT)
Research details
Title of your research project
N.B. For UG/PGT students, this is not the
title of your research module
ANALYSIS THE IMPACTS OF SENIOR LEADERSHIP
MANAGEMENT IN HIGHER EDUCATION
Name and institutional affiliation of any
research collaborators
N/A

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Date of application 15 March 2021
Start date of proposed research Trimester 3, 20-21
Brief Project Summary (up to 700
words) Please summarise your research
in non-specialist language.
Please describe where relevant:
Methodology (please describe
what you plan to do as opposed
to providing a background in your
chosen methodology)
Theoretical approaches
Research questions
Details of participant population
(recruitment, inclusion and
exclusion criteria
Current dissertation is based on the major impacts of senior
leadership management within higher education. For this topic,
there are different types of methodologies that will be used for
collecting accurate information about the topic.
Background of chosen methodology: There are different types of
methodologies that will be applied for conducting this dissertation
in systematic manner. These methodologies are positivism
philosophy, deductive approach, quantitative approach, probability
sampling, questionnaire, primary and secondary research and many
others. All these are main types of methodologies that are essential
for investigator in achievement of research aim and objectives in
successful manner. Main reason behind selection of quantitative
research is it provides numerical and valid information within less
time period. Questionnaire will be applied as a method of primary
and quantitative data collection because it helps in collecting and
analyzing of numerical data within minimum time, cost and
resources. All these methodologies along with their justification
will be described as below:
 Positivism philosophy: This is the process used by
investigator for collecting and evaluating quantitative
information regarding the topic.
 Deductive approach: This is the approach that will be
essential in analyzing of gathered quantitative data in
minimum time period.
 Quantitative research: This the process of gathering
information regarding the topic. Main purpose behind
selection of quantitative research is it provides numerical
data in minimum time, resources and cost.
 Questionnaire: This is a tool of collecting primary and
quantitative information regarding the topic. Main reason
regarding using of questionnaire as it supports in collecting
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of numerical data easily and systematically.
Theoretical approaches: A theoretical perspective that might
inform studies of teaching as well as learning is constructivism (or
one of its variants). From time to time a theoretical perspective
leads to a specific methodology being developed. So the construct
repertory test and repertory grid were developed from personal
construct theory. According to the current investigation, theoretical
framework will be developed in accordance to the major impacts of
senior leadership management within higher education.
Research questions:
 What is the concept of senior leadership management in
context of higher education?
 What are the effective types of senior leadership used
within higher education?
 What is the significance of senior leadership management
in higher education?
 What is the impact of senior leadership management on
student’s outcomes within higher education?
 What are the major challenges that would be face by higher
education without the use of senior leadership
management?
 What are the effective ways for overcoming the challenges
associated with lack of senior leadership management
within higher education?
Participants population: There are two methods of sampling
that are probability and non-probability. Both methods of
sampling are essential but for conducting dissertation according
to the existing title, probability is a chosen sampling method.
By using probability sampling 20 students studied within
higher education in education industry of UK will be recruited
randomly. Inclusion criteria is the 20 students studied within
higher education in education industry of UK. Exclusion
criteria is tutors and higher authorities.
Please explain the potential value of your This research is important for society and also economy by
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research to society and/or the economy
and its potential to improve knowledge and
understanding.
providing accurate data regarding the major impacts of senior
leadership management within higher education. For economic this
research helps in creating of job opportunities for people who are
interested and had experience within educational industry. As it
will help in improvement of economic growth. For society, this
research helps by providing education to all students with proper
guidance. Therefore, current research is highly important for
society and also economy.
This research helps an individual by improving their understanding
and knowledge regarding the significance of senior leadership
management within higher education. This research also helps by
enhancing different types of research skills that are communication,
time management, data collection and many others.
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Section 2: Research Ethics Checklist (Refer to Section 3
for an explanation of the colour coding.)
N.B. If you are conducting research that involves ‘animals and
significant habitats’, please use the Stage 1 Research Ethics
Application Form involving Animals and Habitats (
You must provide a response to ALL questions. Please refer to the Question Specific
Advice for completing the Stage 1 Research Ethics Application Form for guidance.
Will your r esearch (delete as appropriate):
1 Involve human participants? YES NO
2 Utilise data that is not publically available? YES NO
3 Create a risk that individuals and/or organisations could be identified in the outputs? YES NO
4 Involve participants whose responses could be influenced by your relationship with
them or by any perceived, or real, conflicts of interest?
YES NO
5 Involve the co-operation of a ‘gatekeeper’ to gain access to participants? YES NO
6 Offer financial or other forms of incentives to participants? YES NO
7 Involve the possibility that any incidental health issues relating to participants could be
identified?
YES NO
8 Involve the discussion of topics that participants may find distressing? YES NO
9 Take place outside of the country where you work and/or are enrolled to study? YES NO
10 Cause a negative impact on the environment (over and above that of normal daily
activity)?
YES NO
11 Involve genetic modification of human tissue, or use of genetically modified organisms
classified as Class One activities?1.
YES NO
12 Involve genetic modification of human tissue, or use of genetically modified organisms
above Class One activities?2.
YES NO
13 Collect, use or store any human tissue or DNA (including but not limited to, serum,
plasma, organs, saliva, urine, hair and nails)?3
YES NO
14 Involve medical research with humans, including clinical trials or medical devices? YES NO
15 Involve the administration of drugs, placebos or other substances (e.g. food, vitamins) to
humans?
YES NO
16 Cause (or have the potential to cause) pain, physical or psychological harm or negative
consequences to humans?
YES NO
1 Email [e-mail] for further information.
2 As above.
2
3 For any research involving human material you must contact [e-mail] for further guidance on how to proceed.
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17 Involve the collection of data without the consent of participants, or other forms of
deception?
YES NO
18 Involve interventions with people aged 16 years of age and under? YES NO
19 Relate to military sites, personnel, equipment, or the defence industry? YES NO
20 Risk damage/disturbance to culturally, spiritually or historically significant
artefacts/places, or human remains?
YES NO
21 Contain research methodologies you, or members of your team, require training to carry
out?
YES NO
22 Involve access to, or use (including internet use) of, material covered by the Counter
Terrorism and Security Act (2015), or the Terrorism Act (2006), or which could be
classified as security sensitive?4
YES
Yes
NO
23 Risk being construed as encouraging terrorism or inviting support for proscribed
organisations and/or contain extremist views that risk drawing people into terrorism or
are shared by extremist groups
YES NO
24 Involve you or participants in a) activities which may be illegal and/or b) the
observation, handling or storage (including export) of information or material which
may be regarded as illegal?
YES NO
25 Does your research involve the NHS (require Health Research Authority and/or NHS
REC and NHS R&D Office cost and capacity checks)?
YES NO
26 Require ethical approval from any recognised external agencies (Social Care,
Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Defence)?
YES NO
27 Involve individuals aged 16 years of age and over who lack ‘capacity to consent’ and
therefore fall under the Mental Capacity Act (2005)?
YES NO
28 Involve processing special category data5 and/or intend to recruit 100 or over
participants? (only answer if your research involves the EEA – see Section 5 for
further information).
YES NO
29 Pose any ethical issue not covered elsewhere in this checklist (excluding issues
relating to animals and significant habitats which are dealt with in a separate form)?
YES NO
Please note that the Faculty Research Ethics Panel (FREP) will refer to the Office of the Secretary
and Clerk any application where, in the view of the Chair, the proposed research poses a risk of a
legal or security related nature to Anglia Ruskin University. The Chair will seek guidance from the
Secretary and Clerk before the FREP decides if the proposed research can be granted ethical
approval and/or the nature of any special arrangements which need to be put in place.
4 The Counter Terrorism and Security Act (2015) and Terrorism Act (2006) outlaws web posting of material that encourages or endorses
terrorist acts, even terrorist acts that have occurred in the past. Sections of the Terrorism Act also create a risk of prosecution for those
who transmit material of this nature, including transmitting the material electronically. The storage of such material on a computer can, if
discovered, prompt a police investigation. Visits to websites related to terrorism and the downloading of material issued by terrorist
groups (even from open-access sites) may be subject to monitoring by the police. Storage of this material for research purposes may
also be subject to monitoring by the police. Therefore, research relating to terrorism, or any other research that could be classified as
security-sensitive (for example, Ministry of Defence-commissioned work on military equipment, IT encryption design for public bodies or
businesses) needs special treatment. If you have any doubts about whether your research could be classified as security-sensitive,
please speak to your FREP Chair.
5 Special category data is defined as personal data which reveals racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious or philosophical
beliefs, or trade union membership, and the processing of genetic data, biometric data for the purpose of uniquely identifying a person,
and data concerning health or data concerning a person’s sex life or sexual orientation.
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Section 3: Approval process
All student applications must be sent to your Supervisor for checking.
Your Supervisor must then forward the application to the SREP/FREP (as appropriate)
FREP = Faculty Research Ethics Panel
SREP = School Research Ethics Panel
NO answered to all
questions
Risk category Green
Complete Section 6 of this form
and then send it to your SREP.
You do not require ethical
approval from a committee.
You can start your research
immediately.
YES to any of Questions
1-11 and/or 29 but NO to
all other questions
Risk category Yellow
Complete Section 4 -6 of this form and
submit it, and the Participant Information
Sheet (PIS) and Participant Consent Form
(PCF), to your SREP. Your faculty may
require further documents.
You need to wait for ethical approval
before you start your research.
YES to any of Questions
12-24
Risk Category Red
Complete Section 5 and 6 of this form and
complete the Stage 2 Approval form. Submit
both, and any other documents required, to
your FREP.
If you answered YES to Question 23
you must also complete and submit
for consideration by the committee
the Stage 3 Approval form.
You need to wait for ethical approval
before you start your research.
YES to any of
Questions 25-27
Risk Category
Purple
Yes to Question 28
Risk Category Blue
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You need
external
approval(s)
which, if granted,
may be regarded
as equivalent to
approval from an
Anglia Ruskin
ethics
committee.
Refer to the
Question Specific
Advice for the
Stage 1 Research
Ethics Application
Form and Code
of Practice for
Applying for
Ethical Approval
for further
information
You need to
wait for ethical
and/or
governance
approval before
you start your
research.
You must also
complete the
Special Category
Data Questions
and submit
these with your
application (see
Section 5).
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Section 4: Project details
Management of Ethical Risk
For each of Questions 1-11 and Question 29, where you have responded ‘Yes’, please explain for the
panel how you justify and will manage the ethical risk created. Your research is in the Yellow risk
category.
Section 5: Data Protection
If your research involves personal data and will be in the European Economic Area (EEA), involve
transferring data in or out of the EEA (the EEA includes EU member states and also Iceland, Liechtenstein
and Norway) or accessing ARU servers within the UK.
1. You must complete the Research Checklist for Data Protection and confirm that you have done this in Section 6.
https://web.anglia.ac.uk/anet/staff/sec_clerk/Data%20Protection/guidance/research.phtml
2. If you have said ‘yes’ to Question 28, you must also complete the Further Data Protection Questions and follow
further instructions if applicable. You need to submit this document with your ethics application.
https://web.anglia.ac.uk/anet/staff/sec_clerk/Data%20Protection/guidance/research2.phtml
3. If your research will not involve the EEA, you need to confirm in Section 6 that you will comply with the data
legislation relating to the country you are carrying research out in or transferring data in or out of.
Section 6: Confirmation/Declaration statements
Confirmation Statements (delete as appropriate)
1 I have completed the relevant training in research ethics.6 Yes
2 I have consulted the Research Ethics Policy and the relevant sections of the Code of Practice for
Applying for Ethical Approval, available at www.aru.ac.uk/researchethics.
Yes
6 Where required, UG or PGT students must submit confirmation with this form that they have passed the on-line ethics training. Some courses have
exemption from this requirement. Please check with your supervisor.
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3 I have completed a Risk Assessment (Health and Safety) and had it approved by the appropriate person.7 Not applicable
4 Either
I have reviewed the Research Checklist for Data Protection and comply with its requirements. If I needed
to complete the Further Data Protection Questions, I obtained advice from our Data Protection Officer if
any of my responses were ‘no’ and submit the correspondence with this ethics application.
Or for research that does not involve the EEA, I will comply with any data protection legislation of the
country or countries that my research will involve.
Yes
5 For research funded externally where the funding was acquired via Anglia Ruskin, I have
completed a Project Risk Assessment.8
Not applicable
6 I have attached my confirmation of passing a Safeguarding course. Not applicable
7 If my research project involves a contract between Anglia Ruskin University and an external
party, I have had the contract approved by the Secretary and Clerks Office9
Not applicable
Applicant Declaration
By sending this form from my Anglia Ruskin e-mail account, I confirm that I will undertake the research as detailed here. I
understand that I must abide by the terms of my ethical approval and that I may not amend the research without further ethical
approval. I also confirm that the research will comply with all Anglia Ruskin ethical guidance, all relevant legislation and any
relevant professional or funding body ethical guidance.
Supervisor/First Supervisor Declaration
By sending this form from my Anglia e-mail account, I confirm the statements in the Applicant Declaration and that I will
supervise the research as detailed in the application.
Thank you for completing the Stage 1 Research Ethics Application Form.
Please submit it as follows:
Staff Researchers: Send form directly to the relevant committee.
Student Researchers (including staff carrying out research in a student capacity): Send form to
Supervisor/First Supervisor.
Supervisor/First Supervisor: Check application and forward to the relevant committee.
For FREP/SREP details please visit the Ethics website: l On this page you will also find links to each
Faculty’s website where more information on SREPS can be found.
Date
16 September 2019
7 For research conducted at ARU including University Centre Peterborough and College of West Anglia, go to
https://web.anglia.ac.uk/anet/staff/sec_clerk/ for the relevant guidance. Students at other institutions must follow local processes.
8 For details go to web.anglia.ac.uk/anet/rdcs/compliance/faqs.phtml
9 For details go to http://web.anglia.ac.uk/anet/staff/sec_clerk/
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