Ethics Application: Leadership Styles in Retail, Walmart Project

This ethics application, submitted by a student at the University of Roehampton, outlines a research project investigating leadership styles in managing teams within Walmart retail. The study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of these styles on customer and employee satisfaction. The application details the project's purpose, which is to understand how leadership impacts business growth and individual knowledge. The research methodology involves both primary and secondary research, including surveys with Walmart employees, and emphasizes ethical considerations such as participant consent, confidentiality, and the right to withdraw. The document also addresses health and safety risks and provides details on recruitment and potential benefits for participants. The student confirms adherence to ethical guidelines and seeks approval for data collection, ensuring that all conditions are met before commencing the project.

ETHICS APPLICATION FORM
Undergraduate Students
Introduction
An ethics application should be submitted for review and approval by anyone conducting
research at, or under the auspices of, the University of Roehampton that involves human
beings, animals or personal data relating to human beings.
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.
Please note that you should NOT begin your project or start any data collection until your
ethics application has been given final approval by your dissertation supervisor and it is
confirmed that all conditions have been met.
If you have any queries whilst completing this form, please get in contact with your dissertation
supervisor.
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:
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SECTION 1b: 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:
SECTION 2: PROJECT DETAILS
Title of project: Leadership styles in managing teams in Big retail and their
effectiveness for customers and employees. A study on Walmart Retail
Company.
Proposed start date (start
date of actual data
collection):
Please note that
supervisor’s approval can
take some time. Please
submit applications in a
timely manner. Reasons
should be given for late or
retrospective
submissions.
Duration:
2.1. Purpose of the proposed investigation (300 words maximum)
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This section should include the material which concisely 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.
The project into consideration is based on evaluating the Leadership styles in managing teams in Big
retail and their effectiveness for customers and employees. Therefore, it is a wide area of research
which is effectively be considered by the researcher to execute an analysis effectively. The major
purpose of selecting the research over the aspect of leadership style is that, it is a major issue which
is widely being faced by the businesses. However, a suitable selection of leadership style is
imperative for the business to increasing the satisfaction of the customers and employees at wider
level. Thus, the study is creating value for Walmart Retain Company is providing the suitable
leadership styles that are beneficial for the business to attain growth and advancement. This study is
also creating value for an individual in developing knowledge regarding the area of leadership and
how it creates value for the business in attaining growth. This research is also important in the
manner for the researcher as it provides academic value to the investigator via enhancing their skills
base with the area of leaders and its appropriateness for team working. In addition to this, the another
motive of executing the analysis is the personal interest of the researcher, as the investigator wants to
explore own knowledge and skills in relation to the aspect of similar subject as the study also helps
in enhancing personal as well as professional skills which create value in attempting future projects
effectively. Furthermore, the project is also creating value in enhancing idea about the suitable
leadership sytles and how these are beneficial in developing satisfaction among customers and
employees, therefore, the suitable leadership style helps for the business in systematically accessing
the business operations to generate significant profitability and progression.
2.2. Outline of the project (300 words maximum)
This section should include the details of the 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.
Research Methodology mainly refers as an essential aspect of research which is significant in
assisting the research in right manner to drawn valid and reliable results. Therefore, this section
mainly in-corporate over assorted applications which are significant to assist investigation based
over the area of examining leadership styles in managing teams in Big retail and their effectiveness
for customers and employees. Therefore, in this present research both primary and secondary
research are executed to gather information. Thus, secondary research is implemented to develop
theoretical perspective with the assistance of books, journals, articles and so on. On the other hand,
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primary research is imperative in executing survey with the assistance of questionnaire. In this
participants are select at random basis by applying probabilistic sampling tools, therefore, in this
participants are randomly picked to gather information. In this sample size of around 60 has been
taken in which information is gathered from the employees of Walmart, thus they are more liable I
providing authentic information from analysing the in-sight out information about the aspect of
leadership and how company implement leadership in managing teams to develop satisfaction of
customers and employees. In this present study, questionnaire is carried out and this has been send
by the help of email and for filling the questionnaire properly 1 day is being taken by the
participants. As it is enough to fill the questionnaire by their own recognition.
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 tick the boxes to confirm that
1) you have attached all research instruments you intend to use
2) you will notify your supervisor of any major changes
2.3. Ethical issues raised by the project and how these will be addressed (500 words
maximum)
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.
Please refer to the Ethics Guidelines for more information.
In the suitable execution of the project it is important for the researcher to follow all the ethics to aid
the project in right manner. Therefore, while executing of the study researcher have faces a lot issue
like participant’s consent form, confidentiality and anonymity, right to withdraw, deception,
permission from business involves, whether any vulnerable population are involving, therefore, these
are needs to be addressed by the researcher for completion of the project in right manner. For
avoiding such issues researcher needs to follow research ethics in respect to executing the
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investigation project in right manner. For overcoming the issue of participants consent it is important
for the researcher to provide consent to the participants at the starting of the project in the manner of
a form to receiving the approval from the participant’s side to taking effective participants ion in the
project. In addition to this, confidentiality and anonymity is the major issue of the project and for
resolving this particular issue it is important for the researcher to ensure their participants about
safety and security of their private data via approaching the suitable data protection sources. This
helps in reducing the risk among participants about leaking of their private information and aid the
participants to render specific data. In addition to this right to withdraw is also a major issue in the
project as it is important for the researcher to add a clause in the consent form in relation to taking
the consent back from the researcher as the participants re having the authority to taking their
consent back from the project whenever they are needed to quite. For addressing the issue of
Deception, it is important for the researcher to not asking any question that affects the emotion and
sentiment of their participants as they need to avoid asking personal questions which are not relevant
for the project. Furthermore, it is also imperative for the researcher to taking approval from the
business in which the entire project is carried out, therefore, approval from the business is imperative
to showcasing the authenticity of the project and the information accumulated for completion of the
project. However, researcher also ensure to not adding any vulnerable adult or the people who are
below than the age group of 18 as it is illegal to gather information from such group. Research also
needs to avoid illegal activities and should not take participation in any kind of crime.
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SECTION 3: RESEARCH INVOLVING PARTICIPANTS
 You should download the Participant Consent Form template and amend as required (you
can also find it at the end of this document).
 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.
3.1. Give details of 1) the method of recruitment and 2) potential benefits or
incentives to participants if any
Please mention whether there will be any financial benefits and give details of amounts involved.
(NB: Please remember that written permission – or in some cases ethics approval – 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 may require NHS approval)
1)
2)
Please tick the box to confirm that you have attached written permission from any organisations
where recruitment is carried out or posters placed
3.2. Under 18s and Vulnerable Participants – DBS
Students are NOT advised to carry any research that involves participants who are aged
under 18 or considered to be vulnerable.
Please tick the box to confirm that you understand that you should not carry out any research
involving participants who are aged under 18 or considered to be vulnerable ✔
Please note that you will need to apply for DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) clearance if you
decide to conduct research that involves participants who are aged under 18 or considered to be
vulnerable. Please seek advice from your supervisor.
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SECTION 4: HEALTH AND SAFETY
4.1. Please give a brief overview of the main risks involved in the project and what
will be done to mitigate them
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
Risks and mitigation:
1)
2)
3)
4.2. Research outside the UK
Students are NOT advised to carry out any travel to conduct research outside the UK.
If your dissertation will focus on a country outside the UK and employ qualitative research methods
(e.g. interviews), you are advised to use technology to collect your data, e.g. Skype or WhatsApp.
Please tick the box to confirm that you understand that you should not carry out any travel to
conduct research outside the UK
If you decide to travel outside the UK (including your home country or the country in which you
reside), please note that you will need to:
1) refer to the relevant section of the Ethics Guidelines
2) complete the Overseas Background Information form
3) consult with the Health & Safety office
4) adhere to the University’s Travel Safety Advice
5) submit an ATO (Authority to Travel Overseas) and ensure that travel assistance and medical
cover is in place.
Please seek advice from your supervisor.
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SECTION 5: PUBLICATION AND IMPACT OF RESEARCH
The research you are conducting should only be for undergraduate dissertation purposes. You
should not seek to publicly disseminate your research findings in any other way.
Please tick the box to confirm that you have read and understood the above
SECTION 6: 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 researchers to ensure that they comply with the
University’s policies and procedures regarding data protection.
Please confirm that you have read the Data Protection and Storage Guidance for Researchers,
including dissertation students ✔
All research data must also be processed in line with the University’s IT Policy, which states,
“You must not, unless exempted through the University’s ethics procedures, create, download,
store or transmit unlawful material, or material that is indecent, offensive, threatening or
discriminatory or extremist. Following such approval, the University of Roehampton has
procedures to enable staff and students to access and store downloaded research materials
and data into a specially provisioned university secure safe storage area.”
6.1. Personal data processing
1. Will the research project involve collecting, storing or processing personal data relating to
research participants? ‘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
 Age
 Address
 Job title
YES NO ✔ N/A (no human participants)
If yes, other than signed consent forms, please give details of the types of personal data to be
collected/ stored/ processed as part of the research project.
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2. Will the research project involve collecting, storing or processing special categories of personal
data or criminal convictions relating to research participants?
Special categories of personal data include the following: Racial or ethnic origin, Political opinions,
Religious or philosophical beliefs, Trade union membership, Health, Sex life, Sexual orientation,
Biometric data, Genetic data, Criminal convictions data (More information can be found in the
Guidance, section 7)
YES NO ✔
If yes please give details
Students are expected to anonymise personal data, or where this would be impractical they are
expected to use pseudonymisation as standard practice (see Section 16 of the Guidance).
3. Will the data you collect be Anonymised ✔ Pseudonymised Neither
(Please see the Guidance for definitions)
If anonymised or pseudonymised, please explain how exactly you will anonymise/pseudonymise
personal data?
If neither please give details:
Please note: If your participants do not wish to remain anonymous and thus waive their right to
anonymity you must obtain their written consent – perhaps by adding a tick box to the consent form.
Even in cases where anonymity has been waived, you must still ensure compliance with all relevant
data protection policies and legislation.
6.2. Information provided to research participants
All research participants should be provided with information about how their personal data will be
used. The Participant Consent Form template has been designed to include the necessary
information where personal data is collected directly from a research participant.
1. Will the Participant Consent form and Data Privacy Notice be handed out as a hard copy?
(You will also find the templates at the end of this document)
YES ✔ NO
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2. If no, please explain why not.
3. If your research is being conducted in any other language than English, will the Participant
Consent form and Data Privacy Notice be translated into the native language?
YES ✔ NO
4. If no, please explain why not.
6.3. Personal data transfers BY Roehampton students
Students should NOT transfer personal data to any party or organisation outside of the
University.
Please tick the box to confirm that you will NOT transfer personal data to any party or organisation
outside of the University
6.4. Record retention
1. Will the research data be stored and destroyed in line with the University’s Record Retention
Schedule (this states that data subject consent forms for trials and studies should be stored for 6
years after the completion of the project and that research data produced through the life of the
project (including audio files) should be stored for 10 years after the completion of the project.
Anonymised data can be kept indefinitely)?
YES ✔ NO
2. If no, please explain why.
6.5. Data storage and security
1. Will you be storing your research data using University IT facilities (see Section 17 of the
Guidance)?
YES ✔ NO
2. If no, please explain why and give details of the storage medium you intend to use. Please tick
the box to confirm that data will be backed up at Roehampton .
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3. Please give details of how and where data will be stored and how they will be kept secure. Please
tick the box to confirm that all electronic data will be password protected, and also encrypted if on
personal devices .
4. If using an online questionnaire/ survey, please give details of the survey platform, the
organisation hosting it and data protection implications associated with using an online survey.
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PARTICIPANT CONSENT FORM
Title of research project:
Brief description of research project:
This should include:
What participation involves
Where it will take place
How long it will take
How many participants there are likely to be (if appropriate)
How long any personal data will be kept for
Whether personal data will be kept indefinitely in an anonymised form
It should state that research findings will NOT be disseminated
It should state that no data will be shared with third parties
Student contact details: Name
Department
University Address
Email
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 by contacting Name of Student.
I understand that if I do withdraw, my data may not be erased but will only be
used in an anonymised form as part of an aggregated dataset. I understand
that the personal data collected from me during the course of the project will
be used for undergraduate dissertation purposes.
By signing this form you are confirming that you have been informed about
and understand the University’s Data Privacy Notice for Research
Participants.
The information you have provided will be treated in confidence by the student
and your identity will be protected in the publication of any findings. The
purpose of the research may change over time, and your data may be re-used
for research projects by the University in the future. If this is the case, you will
normally be provided with additional information about the new project.
Name ………………………………….
Signature ………………………………
Date ……………………………………
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Please note: if you have a concern about any aspect of your participation or any
other queries please raise this with the investigator (or if the researcher is a student
you can also contact the Director of Studies.) However, if you would like to contact an
independent party please contact the Head of Department/ Director of School.
Module convener contact details:
Name: Dr. Michal Izak
Department: Business School
University Address: Roehampton Lane,
SW15 5SL
Email: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]
Head of Department contact details:
Name: Prof. Sunitha Narendran
Department: Business School
University Address: Roehampton Lane,
SW15 5SL
Email: sunitha.narendran@ roehampton.ac.uk
Telephone: [phone]
Should the Head of Department change over the lifecycle of the research project the
new Head of Department will become the independent contact. Contact details for
the new Head of Department can be obtained from the investigator
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ORGANISATIONAL CONSENT FORM
Please note that this form is only required if the organisation itself is
taking part in the research – e.g. they are allowing observation of
their operations, they are acting as a case study. It is NOT required
if all you are doing is recruiting via them (in which case their
permission is required but not a formal consent form).
Title of research project:
Brief description of research project:
This should include:
What participation involves for the organisation itself and its staff
Where it will take place
How long it will take
How many participants there are likely to be (if appropriate)
How long any personal data will be kept for
That personal data will be kept indefinitely in an anonymised form
It should state that research findings will NOT be disseminated
It should state that no data will be shared with third parties
Student contact details: Name
Department
University Address
Email
Consent statement:
On behalf of …………… I agree for …………….. to take part in this research,
and am aware that the organisation is free to withdraw at any point without
giving a reason by contacting Name of Student. I understand that if we do
withdraw, the organisation’s data may not be erased but will only be used in
an anonymised form as part of an aggregated dataset. Data collected will be
used for the purposes outlined above in the public interest.
By signing this form you are confirming that you have been informed about
and understand the University’s Data Privacy Notice for Research
Participants.
The information you have provided will be treated in confidence by the
researcher and the identity of the organisation will be protected in the
publication of any findings. The purpose of the research may change over
time, and the organisations data may be re-used for research projects by the
University in the future. If this is the case, the organisation will normally be
provided with additional information about the new project.
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Name ………………………………….
Organisation Name ………………………………
Position in Organisation ………………………………
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 if the researcher is a student
you can also contact the Director of Studies.) However, if you would like to contact an
independent party please contact the Head of Department.
Should the Head of Department change over the lifecycle of the research project the
new Head of Department will become the independent contact. Contact details for
the new Head of Department can be obtained from the investigator
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DATA PRIVACY NOTICE FOR RESEARCH PARTICIPANTS
Research Participants - How the University of Roehampton uses
your personal data
Why have I been directed here or been given this form?
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
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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).
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 the 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.
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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, Alison Bainbridge, at
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