Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on Ethics Review

1. What is an ethics review?

An ethics review is a formal process to ensure that research is conducted responsibly, safely, and in accordance with ethical principles. It aims to protect the rights, dignity, safety, and well-being of participants (human or animal), as well as the researcher and the institution.

2. Do all research projects require ethics approval?

Not all activities require ethics approval. Ethics approval is required for:

• Research involving human participants

• Collection or analysis of identifiable human data or biological samples

• Studies that pose any physical, psychological, social, or legal risk

Ethics approval may not be required for activities such as literature reviews or certain audits (see Question 7), but confirmation from the School/ethics committee is still recommended.

3. When should I apply for ethics approval?

You must apply before starting any data collection or recruitment. Retrospective ethics approval is not permitted. Research must not begin until written approval has been formally granted.

4. Who is responsible for submitting the ethics application?

The student is responsible for preparing and submitting the application, in close collaboration with their supervisor. The supervisor must review and approve the application before it is forwarded through the ethics review system.

5. What documents are usually required for an ethics application?

Commonly required documents include:

• Ethics application form

• Participant Information Sheet

• Consent form

• Questionnaires or interview guides

• Recruitment materials

• Permission or access letters

• Risk assessment (if applicable)

Incomplete submissions may delay approval.

6. What is informed consent and when is it required?

Informed consent means participants voluntarily agree to take part after receiving clear information about the study, including risks, benefits, and their right to withdraw.

Informed consent is normally required for all human research.
If consent will not be obtained, this must be clearly justified (e.g. use of anonymised secondary data or certain observational studies) and approved by the ethics committee.

7. Do clinical audits or service evaluations require ethics approval?

Clinical audits and service evaluations are generally conducted to assess or improve existing practice rather than to generate new generalisable knowledge.

• Ethics approval may not be required if the activity is strictly an audit or service evaluation.

• However, if the findings will be published, presented externally, or used as research (e.g. dissertation), ethics approval may be required.

• Students must seek confirmation from the School or ethics committee before proceeding.

8. How long does the ethics review process take?

Processing times vary depending on the level of review required.
While applications may be reviewed within approximately 10 working days, approval is not guaranteed on first submission. Applicants should allow sufficient time for revisions.

9. What happens if my application requires revisions?

If reviewers request amendments, you must address all comments and resubmit the revised application. Research activities must not begin until final approval is confirmed in writing.

10. Can I make changes to my approved ethics application?

Yes, but all changes must be formally approved before implementation. This includes:

• Changes to methodology

• Recruitment procedures

• Participant groups

• Data collection tools

• Study duration

• Research team members

An ethics amendment or variation form must be submitted for review.

11. What happens if I conduct research without ethics approval?

Conducting research without ethics approval is a serious breach of academic and institutional policy. Consequences may include:

• Invalidation of research data

• Inability to submit or publish findings

• Disciplinary or academic action

12. How is confidentiality and data protection handled?

Researchers must comply with data protection and institutional policies. This includes:

• Secure storage of data

• Limiting access to authorised individuals only

• Clearly informing participants how their data will be used, stored, and retained

Promises of anonymity or confidentiality must be realistic and clearly explained.

13. Can ethics-approved data be used for future research?

Data may only be reused if:

• Participants were informed and consented to future use, or

• The data are fully anonymised and secondary use is ethically justified

Future use must be declared in the original ethics application whenever possible.

15. Where can I get further guidance or support?

Students should first consult their supervisor. Additional guidance is available from the Faculty’s Ethical Review Committee (ERC), particularly for complex studies involving vulnerable participants and clinical settings.