Research ethics review

The main purpose of our ethics review procedures is to facilitate the research undertaken by SCHARR, in a way that protects both our members and research participants. University ethics approvals are granted via the SCHARR Research Ethics Committee (REC).

Do you need ethics approval?

The Research Ethics Policy stipulates that all research involving human participants, personal data or human tissue requires ethics approval.

Read the University's ethics approval procedure (login required)

Routes for obtaining ethics approval

There are four main routes for obtaining ethics approval for research at ScHARR.

View the different routes to approval

Health and social care research governance

Projects may be subject to additional research governance procedures.Use this page to determine the specific requirements for your projects.

View the University's research governance pages (login required)

Applying for University ethics approval

University ethics approval processes

View the different approval processes for staff, students and dissertation supervisors.

How to get ethics approval from the University

Ethics training requirements

All staff in the Division of Population Health are required to take mandatory ethics and online data security training before submitting an ethics application.

View the compulsory training

Review outcomes

On considering the ethical implications of a project, ethics reviewers decide on one of four possible outcomes.

View outcomes

Amendments

Ethics reviewers may decide that a project requires changes before it can be approved.

How to make amendments

Observing Ethics Committee meetings

The SCHARR Research Ethics Committee welcomes observers. This must be arranged in advance with the Ethics Administrators and is on a first come first served basis as we limit the number of observers.

Observing the Ethics Committee will not involve participating in discussions. Observers will be expected to respect the confidentiality of the proposals discussed and not discuss the details outside of the meeting.

Key contacts

Research Support Officers: Molly Girvan and Rosie Lynch

Book a 15-minute appointment with ethics lead Anju Keetharuth