Roehampton Business School Ethics Application Form for Undergraduates

This document is an ethics application form submitted by an undergraduate student at Roehampton Business School for a research project exploring the barriers to women taking up management positions in the UK hospitality industry. The form covers various aspects of ethical research, including personal details, project details, ethical issues, health and safety considerations, research involving participants (consent, recruitment, incentives, and vulnerable participants), and data protection. The student confirms adherence to the University Code of Conduct, provides details about the research methodology (qualitative research using interviews), and attaches the necessary research instruments and consent forms. The form addresses potential ethical issues such as participant consent, confidentiality, and anonymity, and confirms the absence of health and safety risks. The student also addresses data protection measures, including anonymization of data and secure storage, and confirms that personal data will not be transferred outside the University. The form requires supervisor approval and includes sections for both the student and the supervisor to confirm their agreement with the ethical considerations of the research.

ETHICS
APPLICATION FORM
Undergraduate Students
Roehampton Business
School
(QA Higher Education March 2019 update
29.05.19)
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.
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:
SECTION 2: 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 3: PROJECT DETAILS
Title of project: "A study to explore the main
barriers to women taking up
management positions in the
hospitality industry in the
UK". A case study on Premier
Inn.”

Proposed start date:
Duration:
Purpose of the proposed investigation
This section should include the material which 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 investigation into consideration is based on exploring the main barriers to women taking up
management positions in the hospitality industry in the UK. This is a wide area of academic research
which is significant in developing the idea and knowledge base of individual learner and researcher
towards the chosen subject area. This major reason for choosing this specified topic is the personal
interest of the researcher as the investigator wants to explore own knowledge and skills towards the
chosen subject area and also get a significant way to implement their future projects in more
effective manner. The another major reason for choosing this study is that it is the most common
issue in today's business environment which has direct impact over the operations and progression of
the business. The present investigation is effective in providing detailed analysis over the issues
faced by the women in achieving position within higher department. Therefore, this study provides
appropriate analysis over the approaches implemented by the businesses for reducing the issues
faced by the worm within hospitality industry. This study has personal as well as professional
benefits for the individual who are having interest within the similar area of study, therefore, this
study is effective for the individual's who are seeking for their career development within the
hospitality industry. This present investigation explores the basic obstacles faced by the women in
getting management position. This study provides basic understanding how the issue faced by
women staffs can be reduces and overcomes through implementation of specific approaches. The
accessibility of study can be attained through gathering information from the most authentic sources,
therefore, it is important for the researcher to use reliable and authentic sources to gather valid and
reliable information to complete the work in right manner to reaching at the potential outcome.
Outline of the project:
This section should include the details of the research 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.
The suitable selection of research methodology is the fundamental obligation of the researcher,
therefore, the present investigation into consideration is based over qualitative research as it is
effective in providing detailed analysis over the area of exploring the main barriers to women taking
up management positions in the hospitality industry in the UK. In this descriptive analysis is
supportive in providing in-depth evaluation via the support of theories and hypothesis. In addition to
this, in this present investigation work interview is implemented by the researcher as the source of
data analysis, therefore, in this present investigation primary investigation is executed via the support
of interview in which questions are being asked by the stakeholders of the firm. In this stakeholders
are taken into consideration as they are more liable in providing appropriate information in regards to
the internal and external performance of the firm.

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 confirm that
1) you have attached all research instruments you intend to use, and
2) you will notify your supervisor of any major changes.
YES

SECTION 4: ETHICS ISSUES
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.
In the execution of an investigator researcher has facing multiple issues which are requires to be
addressed by the researcher in respect to completion of the work in right manner. Research requires
to follow the research ethics as to assisting the work in right manner. The major issues faces by the
researcher is the participant consent, confidentiality and anonymity and permission from
organisation involved etc. therefore these are requires to be resolved by the researcher in respect to
effective completion of the work.
SECTION 5: HEALTH & SAFETY ISSUES
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, who should contact the Head of Health & Safety if
necessary.

There is no safety risk as there is no need for health and safety aspects.
SECTION 6: RESEARCH INVOLVING PARTICIPANTS
 You should amend the attached Participant Consent Form template to be given to
participants as required 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.
Please confirm that
1) you have attached the amended consent form and information sheet (if applicable) to be
given to participants, and
2) you will notify your supervisor of any major changes.
YES
Give details of 1) the method of recruitment, and 2) potential benefits or incentives to
participants if any (include any financial benefits where appropriate).
(NB: Please remember that written permission 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 will require NHS approval)
1)

2)
Please confirm that you have attached written permission from any organisations where
recruitment is carried out or posters placed
YES
Will your research involve participants who are aged under 18?
YES NO
Will you be approaching participants who might be considered to be vulnerable (please give
details if not addressed elsewhere on this form)?
YES NO
If you have answered Yes please refer to the Ethics Guidelines (especially section 3.4.j if
your research involves participants who are aged under 18) and highlight the particular
issues raised by working with these participants and how these issues have been
addressed.
If you have answered yes to either of the above you will need to obtain DBS clearance.
Please contact your supervisor.
(Please note: if you are unsure whether DBS clearance is required, please discuss it with
your supervisor)
Please tick the box to confirm that the appropriate DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service)
check has been applied for.
If you have already obtained DBS clearance, please provide details of DBS check (date,
disclosure number, issuing organisation (if applicable) and place of issue).
If issued by another organisation please advise if you have registered this with the DBS
Update Service and provide reference number and date.
SECTION 7: 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 students to ensure that they comply
with the University’s policies and procedures regarding data protection.
All research data must also be processed in line with the University’s IT Policy, which
states,
You must not create, download, store or transmit unlawful material, or material that is
indecent, offensive, threatening or discriminatory or extremist.
ETHICS FORM COMPLETION AND APPROVAL
Before starting data collection for the dissertation:
After ethics form completion and agreement with your supervisor (that you and your
supervisor sign). Please send the completed Ethics form and attachments (e.g.
consent/access/survey forms and letters) for approval to:
[e-mail]
SAFE STORAGE: OF YOUR RESEARCH MATERIAL/DATA COLLECTION
DOCUMENTS
Safely saving your research material during data collection and after dissertation
submission on Turnit In:
Keep a copy of the dissertation documents with your data collection instruments and all of
the electronic data collection/analysis files (all participant related/anonymised documents
and ‘personal data’ (also see the definition below): questionnaires, interview forms,
interview transcripts, focus group data, survey data and observation records etc.) within
your QAHE Roehampton account document folder or in another secure storage area, laptop

or personal computer that is password protected – not in USB sticks that can get easily lost.
Questions relating to personal data processing:
‘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
Will the research project involve collecting, storing or processing personal data relating to
research participants?
YES NO
If yes, other than signed consent forms, what types of personal data will be collected/
stored/ processed as part of the research project?
Please give details of how this data will be anonymised:
Will you be storing your research data (both raw and processed data) and documents
containing personal details of any participants using University IT facilities?
YES NO

If no, please specify the storage medium you intend to use, e.g. personal laptop, USB stick,
etc.
Please give details of how they will be kept secure (please ensure that all electronic data is
password protected, and also encrypted if on personal devices):
Please confirm that personal data will NOT be transferred to any party or organisation
outside of the University.
YES
All research participants should be provided with information about how their personal data
will be used. The attached Data Privacy Notice for Research Participants document should
be given to participants along the Participant Consent Form.
Please confirm that the Data Privacy Notice for Research Participants will be handed out as
a hard copy along with the consent form (unless using an online questionnaire etc). (Please
include the Privacy Notice along with your other documentation when submitting your
ethics application).
YES

PARTICIPANT CONSENT FORM (and Privacy Notice)
Title of Research Project: "A study to explore the main barriers to women taking up
management positions in the hospitality industry in the UK". A case study on Premier
Inn.”
Brief Description of Research Project, and What Participation Involves:
Note: Please include what participation involves (if appropriate), where it will take place, how
long it will take and how many participants there are likely to be.
For interview based studies: State any limits on confidentiality
Please use wording along the lines of:
The interview will be tape recorded, and transcribed with any identifying details removed. The
transcript, or extracts from, may appear in my report and in publications arising from it. The
tapes may be heard by my supervisor and others who might be involved in examining the
report.
Everything you say will be treated confidentiality, but there is a limit to this: if you disclose a risk
of serious harm then I may need to take appropriate action (this adheres to the ethical
guidelines of the …………).
For questionnaire based studies:
State that the data will be collected in a way that makes it fully anonymous.
Please use wording along the lines of:
No identifying details will be recorded on your questionnaire response so that your data will be
completely anonymous and it will therefore not be possible to link your consent form to your
questionnaire response or to the data arising from it. You will be asked to assign a code number

to your data which only you will know, so if you wish to withdraw your data you will be able to do
this by providing the research with your code number.
Investigator Contact Details:
Name
Department
University Address
Postcode
Email
Telephone
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, although if I do so I understand that my data might still be used in a
collated form. I understand that the information I provide will be treated in confidence by the
investigator and that my identity will be protected in the publication of any findings.
By signing this form, you are confirming that you have read, understood and agree with the
University’s Data Privacy Notice for Research Participants.
Name ………………………………….
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 the Supervisor. However, if you would like to contact an
independent party please contact the Head of Department.
Supervisor Contact Details: Head of Department Contact Details:
Name Name
Department Department
QAHE University Address QAHE University Address
Postcode Postcode
Email Email
Telephone Telephone

*** Form to be used if appropriate ***
Participant Number: __________
PARTICIPANT DEBRIEF
Title of Research Project:
Thank you very much for taking part in our study, we greatly appreciate your contribution.
This study is designed to examine the factors that might … Brief Description of Research
Project, and your participation is extremely valuable.
All data gathered during this study will be held securely and anonymously. If you wish to
withdraw from the study, contact us with your participant number (above) and your information
will be deleted from our files.
Should you have any concern about any aspect of your participation in this study, please raise it
with the investigator in the first instance or with the Project Supervisor or Head of Department.
Investigator Project Supervisor Head of Department
Name Name Name
Department Department Department
Address Address Address
Email: Email: Email:
Tel: Tel: Tel :

If you are a student at QAHE (Roehampton University partnership) and are troubled or worried
about any aspect of the study, or issues it may have raised, you may find it helpful to contact the
following. The Welfare Service will be able to advise you on agencies that can deal with your
particular concern or if you feel your concerns are more serious:
Student Welfare Officers:
THE WELFARE SERVICE (LOCATED ON THE 1ST FLOOR)
QA Higher Education, St James House, 10 Rosebery Avenue, London, EC1R 4TF.
CONTACT TELEPHONE NUMBER
EMAIL:
If you are a non-student you may find it helpful to contact your GP or The Welfare Services
above who will be able to advise you on agencies that can deal with your particular concern.
:
[Agree with Student Welfare on appropriate agencies]

DATA PRIVACY NOTICE FOR RESEARCH PARTICIPANTS
Research Participants - How the University uses your personal data
Why have I been directed here?
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 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 QA Higher Education and 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. https://www.roehampton.ac.uk/corporate-information/policies/. 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, via the researcher’s supervisor at QA Higher Education.
How do I complain?

If you have any concerns about the University’s handling of your personal data, you have the right to
make a complaint about to the Information Commissioner’s Office and can do so at
http://ico.org.uk/concerns/.

*** Attach your research instruments, written permission from organisations and
any other information to be given to participants HERE ***