Ethics Application: Nursing Students' Well-being During COVID-19

This ethics application explores the psychological well-being of nursing students during the COVID-19 pandemic. It outlines the background, rationale, and specific research aims, focusing on identifying factors contributing to stress among students. The study employs a quantitative cross-sectional survey design with a sample population of nursing students at Buckinghamshire University. Data collection involves a self-reported questionnaire, and analysis will be conducted using SPSS V. 23. The application details ethical considerations, including participant recruitment, consent procedures, confidentiality, and data management, ensuring compliance with UK Data Protection legislation. Supporting documentation, such as a participant information sheet, is included to provide potential participants with comprehensive information about the project. Desklib offers a range of solved assignments and past papers for students.

Student Ethics Application Form – NS506
Section 1: Approval
● Completed application forms will be approved by the module team
Module tutor: Date:
Section 2: Researcher details
Names of student team members (please do not include student ID)
Section 3: Project details
Project title and timescale (add this information in week 6 of the module)
Title: Psychological well-being of nursing students during COVID-19
pandemic
Proposed start date
of data collection:
Proposed end date
of data collection:
Topic area to be explored in the project
Please state briefly the general topic to be explored in the project.
Psychological well-being of nursing students during COVID-19 pandemic
Background and rationale for the project

The information in this section will provide an introduction to your project. This would
normally start with general observations about the topic of interest, then use information from
published sources to explain the background to the project and the rationale for undertaking
it. It should be clear how the specific research aim(s) (next section) emerge from this
discussion.
Stress is an everyday experience during nursing studentship. The COVID-19 pandemic and
associated lockdowns and restrictions exacerbated it due to interruption in education, delayed clinical
practice, delayed career advancement and professional status, increased fear of contracting the
virus, fear of diminishing personal health and poor work-life balance. Understanding the COVID-19
factors causing nursing students’ stress is essential to developing healthy stress-coping strategies
and improving psychological wellbeing. Also, it will be helpful to reduce burnout and occupational
stress, enhance students’ morale to pursue a nursing career and reduce staff turnover and staff
shortage in NHS, especially during successive waves of COVID-19 or similar public health issues.
Preserving their health and wellbeing is important because today’s students are tomorrow’s vital
resources for the UK’s health system (Hamadi et al., 2021; Aslan and Pekince, 2020)
Specific research aims
Please state the specific aim(s) of your project. This specific research question will be
investigated in your project.
Aims and objectives
• To identify the factors that contributed to stress among nursing students during COVID-19.
• To lay a foundation to develop coping strategies, especially during successive waves of
COVID-19 or similar public health issues.
Research question
Did the COVID-19 pandemic increase the stress level and affect the psychological wellbeing of
university nursing students?
Methodology & research design
Describe and justify the methodology and research design you intend to use.
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Epistemological position: The researchers believe in positivism (deductive), a philosophical
construct which argues that truth is objective and can be found only through quantitative measures
(Gray and Grove, 2020).
Study setting: Buckinghamshire University (The UK).
Study design: Quantitative cross-sectional survey.
Sample population: The target population is student nurses at Bucks University. A population size
of 50 and a confidence interval of 95% (5% of margin of error) were used to determine the sample
size (n=45). The self-reported questionnaire will be distributed to these participants to assess their
wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Reliability/Internal consistency: The tool was tested using SPSS V. 23. A Cronbach's Alpha score of
0.73 was found, which means satisfactory inter-item correlation (Gerrish and Lathlean, 2015).
Data analysis: The completed responses will be analysed using SPSS V. 23. The results will be
analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson's r, cross-tabulation, Point-Biserial correlation, Pre
and Post analysis (Paired t-test) etc. The results will be presented using pie charts, graphs,
histograms and box plots.
Participants and Recruitment
***In addition to explaining how participants will be recruited, information in this
section is important for protecting the rights of participants.***
Participants
Describe who you are looking to recruit into the project and why. This should include
information on how many participants will be recruited and any criteria for inclusion /
exclusion.
Vulnerability
Are any vulnerable people allowed to take part in your study? Yes No
☐ ☐
If Answered YES:
▪ If vulnerable people are allowed to take part in this study, give details and please indicate any
necessary checks required by the researchers (e.g. Disclosure and Barring Service checks).
▪ Please refer to the Bucks New University Safeguarding Policy if required:
https://bucks.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/13132/Safeguarding-Under-18s-and-Adults-at-Risk-
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Policy.pdf
Data collection methods
Please check boxes for all data collection methods that you plan to use.
A Questionnaire/Survey ☐
B Semi-structured interviews ☐
C Unstructured interviews ☐
D Focus groups ☐
E Participant Observation ☐
F Non-Participant Observation ☐
G Quantitative Experiment ☐
H Analysis of pre-existing data from human participants (where this data is
sensitive or could be identifiable) ☐
I Other method - Please give details: ☐
Describe and justify the data collection methods you will use.
● Please provide specific details of proposed data collection methods. For example, how
interviews will be conducted, the type of questionnaire that will be used, etc.
Data collection: The study will utilise a self-reported questionnaire containing 16 questions.
Questions 1 to 3 are demographics questions. The remaining questions will be a 5-point Likert scale.
Ethical implications
Briefly outline any ethical implications of your research and how you propose to minimise
these risks
▪ Please note that it is not acceptable to simply state that there are no ethical implications
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▪ It is possible that participants may be affected by topics being discussed during data collection,
so a note should be included here about what will happen in these circumstances. Data collection
will stop and participants will be referred to University counselling services.
https://www.bucks.ac.uk/counselling
Risks to researcher
Briefly outline any risks of physical or mental harm to those conducting the research and how
you propose to minimise these risks.
Recruitment method(s)
Provide a brief outline of how potential participants will be approached and recruited into the
research project (any recruitment materials should be included with the application).● You can include the text for any emails you intend to send, or notices you will post in the
module area in Blackboard, inviting other students to be participants in your project.
Section 5.4: Gatekeepers / Permission
Does your study require the use of gatekeepers to access participants?
***This should not be necessary for your project, but has been left in here
to demonstrate the type of permission normally required for research
projects***
Yes No
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☐ ☐
If Answered YES:
▪ Please give details if permission is required for initial contact with participants or to access data
(e.g. Headmaster, NHS R&D committee, Company manager, Head of School, HR).
▪ If recruiting participants online, consideration should be given to any permission required from
website, social media page, or online forum moderators/administrators
▪ Any documents for seeking permission or where permission has already been granted should be
included.
Consent procedure
***All participants will be students on the module and should be aware of most issues relating
to this project work. However, each project is different and personal data will be collected.
Informed consent will be required from participants prior to commencing data collection as
outlined in this section.***
This section will demonstrate how you will obtain informed consent from the participants.
Please answer YES, NO or NOT APPLICABLE (N/A) to each of the following:
Yes No N/A
6.1 All respondents will be given an Information Sheet and enough time to
read it before being asked to agree to participate.
☐ ☐ ☐
6.2 All participants taking part in an interview, focus group, observation (or
other activity which is not questionnaire-based) will be asked to sign a
consent form.
☐ ☐ ☐
6.3 All participants completing a questionnaire will be informed on the
Information Sheet that returning the completed questionnaire implies
consent to participate.
☐ ☐ ☐
6.4 All participants being asked to provide personal data will have the
following statement on the consent form or on the bottom of their
questionnaire “I consent to the processing of my personal information
for the purposes of this research study. I understand that such
information will be treated as strictly confidential and handled in
accordance with current UK Data Protection legislation’’. A tick box
should be included to allow participants to give explicit consent for the
collection and use of such data.
☐ ☐ ☐
6.5 All respondents will be told that they can withdraw at any time, ask for
their interview tape to be destroyed and/or their data removed from the
project until it is no longer practical to do so (e.g. when the report has
been written up).
☐ ☐ ☐
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6.6 Where full information cannot be given prior to participation (because it
could influence outcomes) participants will be fully de-briefed after
participation.
☐ ☐ ☐
6.7 If you answered NO to any of the above (or think more information could be useful to the
reviewer) please state why here:
Confidentiality, anonymity, data and records management
This section will show how participants can expect confidentiality and/or anonymity and will show
how any research data collected will be managed during and after the study.
***Confidential data is not disclosed to other people;
Anonymous data cannot be linked to the participant’s personal details.***
Please answer YES, NO or NOT APPLICABLE (N/A) to each of the following:
Yes No N/A
7.1 Questionnaires will be returned anonymously and indirectly. Please
note that questionnaire data cannot then be followed up/clarified.
☐ ☐ ☐
7.2 Questionnaires and/or interview transcripts will only be identifiable by a
unique identifier (e.g. code/pseudonym)
☐ ☐ ☐
7.3 Lists of identity number or pseudonyms linked to names and/or
addresses will be stored securely and separately from research data
☐ ☐ ☐
7.4 All place names and institutions which could lead to the identification
of individuals or organisations will be changed
☐ ☐ ☐
7.5 I confirm that all processing of personal information related to the
study will be in full compliance with UK Data Protection legislation
(including the Data Protection Principles)
☐ ☐ ☐
7.6 Consideration has been given to the limitations of confidentiality e.g.
disclosure of illegal behaviour or unsafe practice.
☐ ☐ ☐
7.7 I confirm that processing of all security sensitive information will be in
full compliance with the “Oversight of security - sensitive research
material in UK universities: guidance (October 2012)” (Universities UK,
recommended by the Association of Chief Police Officers)
☐ ☐ ☐
7.8 If you answered NO to any of the above (or think more information could be useful to the
reviewer) please state why here:
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Supporting Documentation
***Example documents below can be adapted to provide information and obtain consent from
participants.***
▪ For any boxes checked in the section 1 checklist, the relevant supporting documents must be
supplied below; e.g. Participant information sheet, participant debrief sheet, participant consent
form, questionnaire or interview schedule.
▪ Any missing documentation is likely to result in a delay in the approval of your ethics application
or a rejection of your ethics application
▪ Please delete any of the documents below that are not appropriate to your research and
ethics application
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PARTICIPANT INFORMATION SHEET
You are being invited to take part in a research project. Before you decide whether you want to
take part it is important for you to understand why the research is being done and what it will
involve. Please take the time to read the following information carefully.
Project Title: (non-technical name for the project)
Principal Researcher:
Supervisor:
Researcher contact details:
INFORMATION TO POTENTIAL PARTICIPANTS
1. What is the purpose of the project?
[INSERT a short paragraph that indicates what the study is about and why it is being done].
2. Why have I been selected to take part?
[You have been invited to take part as you are [INSERT details such as age, occupation, gender, etc.
that form your inclusion criteria].
3. What will I have to do?
[INSERT one paragraph describing as fully as possible what participants will be asked to do as part of
your study. Give as much information as you can to allow participants to decide if they want to take part.
You should also indicate how long it is likely to take].
Also include… It is up to you to decide whether to take part as participation is entirely voluntary. If you do
decide to take part you will be asked to document your consent to take part.
4. Will there be any negative effects of taking part in the study?
No risks are anticipated in taking part in this study.
[Please note: If your study involves any anticipated risks for participants, please discuss with your
supervisor how to acknowledge this here. An example is: However, should you become upset or
anxious, we can take a break for a few minutes or stop the study entirely, if necessary. You will also be
provided with the names of some organisations that you might find supportive]
5. What benefits will the study have to the participants?
Benefits of taking part in this study include aiding research into the understanding of [INSERT the topic
of your study here]. The main beneficiary of the study is the researcher, who will use the data for an
undergraduate dissertation.
6. How will confidentiality be assured?
You will not be asked to give your name or any identification on any of the materials used during this
study, so all the information you give will be anonymous and confidential. [Note that confidentiality can
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not always be guaranteed, therefore, if your study involves sensitive topics, which may cause you to
break confidentiality, this should also be noted here]
7. Who will have access to the information that I provide?
Only the researcher and her/his [DELETE as appropriate] supervisor will have access to the data, which
will be stored by the researcher in accordance with the Buckinghamshire New University policy on data
security.
8. How will my information be stored / used in the future?
The anonymised data will be used for an undergraduate dissertation and may form part of a published
article and/or conference/seminar paper. The data generated in the course of the research will be
destroyed once the dissertation has been marked, or if the data is likely to be used for a publication
and/or conference/seminar paper, it will be transferred to the supervisor and kept for a period of ten
years after the completion of the research project
9. Has this project received appropriate ethical clearance?
This study has been approved by the appropriate Research Ethics Committee [insert reference number
once approval is granted].
10. Will I receive any financial rewards / travel expenses for taking part?
[Insert a paragraph stating whether there are any financial incentives. However, students are advised not
to offer incentives and travel expenses unless there is a strong rationale for doing so and the student can
cover the cost).
11. How can I withdraw from the project?
[Insert a paragraph explaining how the participants can withdraw their data (i.e., emailing the researcher
with their participant ID, DOB if provided) and how long they have until, to withdraw their data]
For example: You are still free to withdraw at any time, before the data are analysed [INSERT data
analysis starting date] and without giving a reason.
Please note that for research using questionnaires/surveys it will normally not be possible for participants
to withdraw once their completed questionnaire has been returned to the researcher due to the difficulty
identifying their data.
12. If I require further information who should I contact and how?
[Insert paragraph here outlining how the participants can contact you and your supervisor (i.e., via email,
phone)
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PARTICIPANT DEBRIEF SHEET
Project Title: (non-technical name for the project)
Principal Researcher:
Supervisor:
Researcher contact details:
1. What was the purpose of the project?
Thank you very much for taking the time to participate in this study. The purpose of this study was to
[INSERT a few lines about the true purpose of the study, bearing in mind that you may have had to be
vague in the Participant Information Sheet]. It is hoped that the findings may [INSERT a few lines about
how the study may contribute to the existing body of knowledge and/or practical/therapeutic
applications].
2. How will I find out about the results?
[Insert a paragraph about how and when the participant can contact you to find out about the results]
3. Will I receive any individual feedback?
Yes, you should contact the researcher if you wish to request feedback/No, you will not be able to
receive individual feedback or results, as the study is anonymous.
4. What will happen to the information provided?
[Insert a paragraph outlining that the information will be collated and analysed for the dissertation, how
and when the information will be destroyed and if the data is going to be published, it will be transferred
to the supervisor to keep for 10 years].
5. How will the results be circulated?
[Insert a paragraph explaining that the results will be published as part of a third year dissertation and if
participants want a copy of the results, to email the researcher – noting that dissertations cannot be
circulated until after they have passed through the external exam board]
6. Have I been deceived in any way during the project?
[Insert a paragraph about whether the participants were deceived and if so, elaborate why and provide
full detail of the study]
[Where relevant, insert a paragraph about the organisations participants can contact if they are
distressed as a result of taking part of the study].
7. If I change my mind and wish to withdraw the information I have provided, how do I do this?
[Insert a paragraph outlining when (i.e., date), how participants can withdraw (i.e., via email, phone etc.,)
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and what details they need to provide to withdraw (i.e., DOB, participant ID). Also note that the
participants can withdraw without penalty and judgement].
If you have any concerns or worries concerning the way in which this research has been
conducted, or if you have requested, but did not receive feedback from the principal investigator
concerning the general outcomes of the study within a few weeks after the study has
concluded, then please contact the supervisor of the study via email at ADD SUPERVISOR EMAIL
Informed Consent Form
Title of Project: (non-technical):
Name of Researcher:
Researcher’s email address:
1. I have read and understood the attached information sheet giving me the details of the study to
be undertaken by XXX
2. I have had the opportunity to ask XXX any questions that I had about the research and my
involvement in it, and I understand my role as a participant
3. My decision to take part (consent) is entirely voluntary and I understand that I am free to withdraw
at any time until XXX without giving a reason or being penalised
4. I understand that data gathered in this study may form the basis of a report or other form of
publication or presentation in the future
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5. I understand that my name will not be used in any subsequent literature, publication or
presentation, and that every effort will be made to protect my anonymity
Participant’s name (In Capitals): Participant’s signature:
Researchers Name: Researchers signature:
Date:
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Research Ethics Committee
RISK ASSESSMENT FORM
(Low Risk, Student Version)
To be completed by research project students as appropriate. Please note that students should also follow the
advice/procedures set out in the Guidelines for Safe Working Off-Campus document.
Use this form to risk-assess:
● Off-campus activities (research, fieldwork, educational visits etc) in LOW RISK environments such as
schools, offices, shops and other public places.
● All activities involving LOW RISK procedures or equipment, including common electrical goods (TVs,
videos, tape recorders etc).
For higher risk locations (e.g. factories, farms, prisons, remote areas), procedures or specialist equipment, use
the appropriate high risk form. Note that hospital work MAY be treated as low risk, depending on the exact
location: A&E Depts or psychiatric wards should be treated as higher risk.
Some common hazards are already listed below. Delete any that do not apply and add any additional ones that
do. Remember to consider any hazards that may arise due to individual characteristics of the student or
participant (e.g. disability).
Risk Assessment For: Assessed By: (Researcher)
Name of Student(s): Name:
Activity: Date:
Note: Risk Assessment is valid for one year from the date given above. Risk Assessments for activities lasting
longer than one year should be reviewed annually.
Location of Activity: Signed:
List significant hazards here: List existing controls, or refer
to safety procedures etc.
For any risks that are not
adequately controlled, list the
action needed.
Risks to personal safety
Normal emergency situations
(e.g. fire)
Exposure to crowd disturbance
or unruly/aggressive persons
Researcher has read attached
safety guidelines
Researcher will familiarise
themselves with fire drill and any
other relevant emergency
procedures at the activity
location
Researcher will comply with
stadium safety management and
control
Continue on another sheet if necessary
EXAMPLE INTERVIEW SCHEDULE
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Complete / delete as required
This example interview schedule template outlines the essential information and the type of structure that
should be used in an interview schedule. Please note that the example is for illustrative purposes only and the
content should be amended to accurately reflect your own research.
TITLE OF RESEARCH PROJECT
Introduction to the Research Project
▪ As part of my undergraduate research, I am carrying out face-to-face interviews with [x].
▪ The information gathered today will be used to help write my final year dissertation.
▪ Please be assured that no organization/ individual will be named in my dissertation and nothing will be
linked back to the interviewee. Therefore, everything you tell me will be treated as confidential.
▪ However, should you mention something that leads me to believe that you and/or someone else is at risk
of serious physical and/or emotional harm, I will have to pass this information on to my supervisor.
▪ The interview should take around [x] minutes.
▪ Are you happy to take part in the interview today?
▪ You are free to withdraw from the interview at any point if you wish to.
▪ Do you have any questions before we start?
▪ Just to help me with my notes is it OK to record our conversation?
Before asking the first question, let the interviewee know the main topics that will be covered during the interview.
You may wish to indicate the questions that are essential (i.e. you definitely need to ask them) and the questions
that are desirable (i.e. you will ask them if there is time or if they are relevant).
INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
Include here if relevant to your research
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EXAMPLE QUESTIONNAIRE
Complete / Delete as required
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