Research Governance, Integrity & Ethics: Key things you need to know in 5 minutes! Isla-Kate Morris, Research Gov

1. Research Governance, Integrity & Ethics: Key things you need to know in 5 minutes! Isla-Kate Morris, Research Governance Officer E: i.morris@sussex.ac.uk rgoffice@sussex.ac.uk Tel: 01273 872748

2. Ethics • The researcher • Morals • Human participants • Research involving animals • Environment • Wider society • Potential future use Governance The institution Regulations Principles Standards Research quality and integrity

3. Research Integrity • Being responsible for your research practice • Follow the University Research Governance Code of Practice • Follow your professional body’s ethical code • Make yourself aware of the research misconduct policy and the whistle-blower policy

4. Getting ethical approval isn’t…. …an impediment to research, but a learning opportunity and an important part of your training …a box ticking exercise, but a way of exploring ethical concerns during your research design

5. Do I need ethical approval? • Use the self-assessment checklist on webpages (http://www.sussex.ac.uk/staff/research/spg/researchgovernance/checklist) • Discuss ethical concerns/research design/if you need ethics approval with your supervisor, SREO or me • It is required for all research that involves: • human participants (adults or children) • human tissue or materials • personally identifiable data • non-human animal subjects • fieldwork or observation (includes online) • research that raises other ethical issues (e.g. research with potential social or environmental impact) • surveys, questionnaires, interviews (even if the individuals are known to you)

6. What to consider early on • Discuss ethical concerns, evaluate anticipated risks and benefits with your supervisor or SREO • Take time to consider if you need ethical approval • If your research requires ethics approval you CANNOT begin research until approval has been issued • If research is carried out without approval, if it needs it, it can be considered to be research misconduct. • Start early if you plan to research: • Overseas (University ethics approval – requires Overseas Travel Safety and Security Risk Assessment form) • In the NHS, with people who lack capacity or using human tissues/materials (Consult me or your supervisor, you may need NRES or SCREC and NHS R&D approval with University sponsorship) • With children (University ethics approval and informed consent from parent/carer/guardian) • With non-human subjects (University ethics approval and Home Office, consult me or your supervisor) • If collecting data think about how you intend to collect that information, include how you will store the data and arrangements around access and security • Consider how to: • protect the care and welfare of participants and researchers • minimise any risk of physical and mental discomfort, harm or danger to yourself, others and the environment • ensure confidentiality and anonymity of participants • get informed consent • provide participants with information about the research, how it will be used and their right to withdraw in everyday language.

7. Your ethical application form • Explain your methodology thoroughly • Put yourself in the reviewer(s) shoes – they want to understand your aims and objectives, how you want do it and that you’ve considered ethical concerns, ensure you include required supporting documents with your application • Ensure all supporting documents are attached (where applicable); • Information sheet and consent form in lay language • Recruitment materials e.g. poster or advert • Questionnaire / topic guide / interview questions • Overseas Travel Safety and Security Risk Assessment form • Permission letter from the gatekeeper organisation

8. Key contacts • Your Supervisor • Your School Research Ethics Officer • Research Governance Office <rgoffice@sussex.ac.uk> • Your Research Ethics Committee; • Medical School (BSMS) (has a specific form) <Caroline.Brooks@bsuh.nhs.uk> • Research involving animals - ask your supervisor or me (has a specific form) <rgoffice@sussex.ac.uk> • Science and Technology Cross-School Research Ethics Committee (Apply online on Sussex Direct) <crecscitec@sussex.ac.uk> • Arts and Social Sciences Cross-School Research Ethics Committee (Apply online on Sussex Direct) <c-recss@sussex.ac.uk>