Do I need ethics approval for my research?
The following checklist will help determine whether or not ethics review is needed for your research or research-related* project. The aim of the questions is to flag up any areas of potential risk to participants, you the researcher, or the environment. If you answer 'yes' to any of the questions, then some form of ethical review will be necessary. If you do need ethics approval, you MUST NOT start your research until you have the appropriate ethical approval and permissions in place
A full description of the criteria for ethics review is available in the University of Sussex Research Ethics Policy and Supporting Notes.
Collecting human participant data without ethics approval is a breach of the Code of Practice for Research and any breaches will be considered and investigated under the University’s Procedure for the Investigation of Allegations of Misconduct in Research (staff and PhD students), the Undergraduate Progression and Award Regulations, and Postgraduate Progressions and Award Regulations, together with the staff and student disciplinary procedures where appropriate.
| (printable version in Word) | Y/N |
|---|---|
| 1. Will the research project involve human participants? | |
| 2. Will the research project involve the collection and/or use of material derived from humans? | |
| 3. Will the project involve access to, collection or use of personal data or property, including mass data collected online (including from social media platforms)? | |
| 4. Will the project involve access to, collection of or use of non-personal sensitive or confidential data? | |
| 5. Could the research have the potential to expose any person, whether participating in the research or not, to physical or psychological harm? | |
| 6. Could the research have the potential to cause a significant negative impact or damage to the environment? | |
| 7. Does the research involve animals, including both research covered by the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (ASPA) and non-ASPA governed research involving animals; and when relevant frameworks exist, to include research involving material derived from live or deceased animals? | |
| 8. Does the research involve genetic material and the local or traditional knowledge relating to the genetic material? | |
| 9. Does the research explore or involve illegal activities, requiring access to or handling of materials related to illegal activities and/or research that could lead to the disclosure of information that could facilitate illegal activities? |
If you answered 'yes' to any of the above questions, then some form of ethical review will be necessary. The above checklist is not list is not exhaustive. If you are unsure whether you might need ethics review, please contact the Research Ethics, Integrity and Governance team rgoffice@sussex.ac.uk
RESEARCH MUST NOT COMMENCE BEFORE ETHICAL APPROVAL HAS BEEN GRANTED. RETROSPECTIVE APPROVAL CANNOT BE GIVEN.
More detailed guidance can be found in the:
- University of Sussex Research Ethics Policy
- University of Sussex Research Ethics Policy Supporting Notes
Secondary data sets – if you have access to secondary data sets, you may or may not need ethics review depending on various factors including anonymity, permissions and prior ethical approval. Please check the latest guidance and use the decision tree to check if you need ethics approval for your dataset:
How to apply for ethics review - http://www.sussex.ac.uk/staff/research/governance/apply
*What are ‘research-related activities’?
Research-related activities undertaken at the University that may pose ethical questions include audit, service evaluation, professional practice, research impact activities and knowledge exchange activities. Approval for these activities must be sought and obtained by staff and PGRs if they are deemed to be more than low risk; in accordance with the policy guidance notes, they will be managed as high risk. For UG and PGT students, research-related activities involving human or animal participation must still receive ethical approval even if they do not meet the threshold of high risk, unless they are taking place within the NHS and comply with local NHS governance arrangements.
Please check the University of Sussex Research Ethics Policy and Supporting Notes for detailed guidance and the definitions of research-related activities.
Sponsorship
Research requiring sponsorship and external approvals, such as from the Health Research Authority, NHS Research Ethics Committee, Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Services (HMPPS) National Research Committee, Ministry of Defence Research Ethics Committee (MOD REC), must follow the appropriate approval route - the University Health and Social Care Sponsorship Sub-Committee (HSC SSC) will review these applications. Please contact researchsponsorship@sussex.ac.uk and review the research sponsorship webpages for more information . Please note that applications to the HRA and/or NHS REC will need to be submitted to the Pre-Sponsorship Review Panel for recommendation to the sponsor before being scrutinised by the HSC SSC.