As well as completing the second Rapid Ideation task, we would also need to complete the weekly challenge task, which involved watching a video that outlines the University’s ethics approval process and then review 3 different scenarios. After completing this, I decided to look further into the University’s Research Integrity and Ethics Handbook to gain a greater understanding of what would be required for future research projects.
The handbook “provides guidance on the application of the principles outlined in the University’s Research and Innovation Integrity and Ethics Policy, which in turn reflects the University’s firm commitment to the five core principles of the Concordat to Support Research Integrity.”
The five core principles are:
1. underpin all of its work with common values of rigour and integrity;
2. conform to all ethical, legal and professional obligations incumbent on its work;
3. nurture a research environment that supports research of the highest standards of rigour and integrity;
4. use transparent, robust and fair processes to handle allegations of misconduct; and,
5. continue to monitor, and where necessary improve, the suitability and appropriateness of the mechanisms in place to provide assurances over the integrity of research.
These principles are expected to be upheld by the individual researcher, but at the same time they should be able to have the freedom to make their own academic decisions and have the responsibility to determine how their decisions could affect people, values and the environment. Alongside this the University is responsible. for ensuring that the researchers are trained and supported appropriately, as well ensuring that research activities are robustly scrutinised.
Some of the key points I’ve taken from the Handbook are that;
Informed consent is an extremely important part of ethics approval and that for consent to be legally valid participants have to be; of adequate age and have necessary mental capacity, free from coercion or undue influence and have been given adequate and appropriate information.
Researchers are expected to write any information and consent forms with appropriate language that avoids using jargon and that is accessible and can be clearly understood by the participants.
It is essential that the information clearly explains:
· the purpose of the research, expected duration, and procedures;
· what they are being asked to do;
· their right to decline to participate and to withdraw from the research once participation has begun;
· the foreseeable consequences of declining or withdrawing;
· reasonably foreseeable factors that may be expected to influence their willingness to participate such as potential risks, discomfort, or adverse effects;
· any prospective research benefits;
· limits of confidentiality;
· incentives for participation; and,
· who to contact for questions about the research.
Any data collected is expected to conform with the Data Protection Act, General Data Protection Regulation and the Freedom of Information Act (2000).
If a researcher intends to work with people under the age of 18, considered to a vulnerable adult or at risk (in England and Wales) they will be required to complete a DBS check before beginning any contact as part of their research. Scotland and Ireland have their own arrangements for criminal record checks and it is the responsibility of the researcher to meet the legal requirements.
The handbook also explains that “appropriate steps are taken from the planning stage onwards to minimize health and safety related risks to everybody involved in a research project.” Researchers are expected to attend compulsory health and safety training, as well as any other relevant training, undertake a risk assessment on behalf of their project and follow the University’s Health and Safety policy and Health and Safety at Work Act (1974).
Environmental impact is also expected to be taken into consideration when undertaking a research project and researchers are expected to “share the responsibility for implementing the actions and meeting targets as set out in the Environmental Sustainability Action Plan.”
The Prevent Strategy is part of the UK Government’s counter-terrorism strategy, CONTEST. Its aim is to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism.
The legislation holds the University accountable for fulfilling the obligations of the Statutory Duty and as such make all staff and researchers understand the risks involved to them in accessing and/or storing and/or disseminating material that may be regarded as promoting or endorsing terrorist acts.
Finally, any conflicts of interest must be fully disclosed on the ethics review application where necessary precautions will be taken to remove them. Any conflicts of interest after approval will be subject to further review(s).
After completing the challenge activity and absorbing all of the above information, it’s clear that any research that I undertake I am responsible for making sure that aim of the research is as clear as possible, including the research questions I seek to address, giving the participants all of the relevant information.
I would also need to consider the methodology that is most appropriate to the aims and/or hypothesis from an early stage and make sure that I have the relevant knowledge and training to achieve my research goals.
I believe it would also be important to spell out the methodology to potential participants, as some may be happy to undertake one form of research but not another.
Finally, it is important to note that data storage has become increasingly important over the last few years; I need a clear and transparent plan of data management, tying into the processes established by the university.
References:
Mcleod, S. (2019). Research Methods | Simply Psychology. [online] Simplypsychology.org. Available at: https://www.simplypsychology.org/research-methods.html.
Falmouth University (2019). Integrity and Ethics Handbook (for staff and PGR students). [online] Available at: https://www.falmouth.ac.uk/file/39643/download [Accessed 5 Dec. 2020].
Oskar Blakstad (2019). Ethics in Research - How Morals and Ethics Affect Research. [online] Explorable.com. Available at: https://explorable.com/ethics-in-research. [Accessed 5 Dec. 2020].
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