Brussels School of International Studies
School of Politics and International Relations
Ethical Review Form
The University of Kent requires that each School has procedures in place to ensure that the ethical implications of research involving human participants have been considered and that ethical standards of conduct are achieved. All research proposals that involve any human participants should therefore be subjected to an ethical review prior to their commencement. Projects which involve interviews and surveys of staff, students and other groups are included in this category, alongside scientific interventional techniques and the use of non-anonymised primary source data.
The standardised format is to be used for the review process and it is the responsibility of staff to ensure that where appropriate their own research, and that of students they supervise, is submitted for ethical scrutiny.
An ethical review form should be completed and submitted toMaria Mälksooat .
The form is in four parts. Part I provides general information about the research project. Part II consists of an ethics checklist. Part III asks for more detailed answers to the ethical implications of your research. Part IV is your signature and date.
School of Politics and International Relations
Brussels School of International Studies
Ethical Review Form
Part I
1.1: Title of Project
1.2:Details of researchers and project organisers
a) Name of main researcher
b) Name of others involved and role (e.g. supervisor) including affiliation if not in the School of Politics and IR:
c) Which relevant research ethics guidelines have you consulted before completing this form? (One such set of guidelines is the ESRC’s Research Ethics Framework,
d) For students: please confirm that you have discussed this application with your supervisor.
e) For supervisors: What are your comments, if any, on this application?
f) Expected start date and duration of the research?
1.3: Research funding
a)Are you applying for, or have you received, funding from the following research councils and foundations for this research project: the ESRC or other members of Research Councils UK; The British Academy; the Leverhulme Trust; the Nuffield Foundation; the Rowntree Foundation; CORDIS (European Commission); Commonwealth, Chevening, Fullbright or Marshall Scholarships.
b)If you are seeking or receiving funding from different sources than above, please name the source(s). Please also discuss if there may be any conflicts of interest or possible impact on the independence of your research arising from this source of funding.
1.4:Purpose of Project/aims and Objectives
Provide a brief outline (one/two paragraphs) of the project written in lay-person’s language, assuming that the reader is unfamiliar with the subject. Include how the project fits with existing knowledge and what are its intended benefits (e.g. to conceptual knowledge, specific groups, services etc). Include also a short description of methodology.
Part II: Research Ethics Checklist
Please think carefully through the potential risks to research participants (including the researcher) before filling in this checklist. If you are unsure which box to tick for any of these questions, and if consulting the ethics guidelines listed above do not help, please discuss it with Dr Hammerstad.
Please answer each question by ticking the appropriate box / YES / NO1. Have you, before filling in this form, read a relevant research ethics guideline (e.g. from the ESRC)?
2. Does the study involve participants who are particularly vulnerable? (e.g. refugees, prisoners, victims of violence)
3. Does the study involve participants who are unable to give informed consent? (e.g. children, people with learning disabilities)
4. Will the study require the co-operation of a gatekeeper for initial access to the groups or individuals to be recruited (e.g. pupils at a school, prisoners, refugees in camps)
5. Will it be necessary for participants to take part in the study without their knowledge and consent at the time? (e.g. covert observation of people in non-public places)
6. Will the study involve discussion of sensitive topics (e.g. sexual activity, drug use)
7. Could the study induce embarrassment, psychological stress or anxiety or cause harm or negative consequences?
8. Will the study involve prolonged or repetitive testing?
9. Will financial inducements (other than reasonable expenses and compensation for time) be offered to participants?
10. Will the study involve recruitment of patients or staff through the NHS or Social Services?
11. Will the study involve the withholding of information from, or deliberate deception of, participants?
12. Will the study involve any potential risk to the researcher(s)?
Part III: Research ethical considerations
3.1: Conduct of project
a) Location of the research:
b) Brief description of participants, including location and number
c) Brief description of controls and number
d) Brief account of how the Data Protection Act will be complied with
(for an outline of the main issues raised by the Act, see:
e) Payment of participants (if any):
g) Source of funding (if any):
h) Brief account of methodology/techniques (a summarised account of measures to be used should be included as should examples of any questionnaires etc):
i) Brief account of how participants will be selected and any issues that arise relating to the selection of participants
3.2: Risk, harm and benefit
This section should address at least the following:
a) Any risks to the participants (including the researcher(s)): this might include all forms of harm, e.g. physical or psychological/emotional. Particular attention should be paid to the potential to cause distress and embarrassment. Measures to be taken where necessary to ensure the welfare and safety of participants.
b) Issues relating to confidentiality during the project and in subsequent data analysis, presentation and publication.
c) Anticipated difficulties, particularly those relating to power imbalances between researcher and participants, e.g. staff/students or where dependant relationships are involved.
d) Details of how the project meets the four main ethical principles of research i.e. non-maleficence (not causing harm), beneficence (doing good), autonomy (treating people with respect and enabling them to make their own choices), and justice (who will be advantaged and disadvantaged by the research).
e) Details of how the research will take account of cultural issues, including some understanding of the need to provide appropriate interpreters etc.
f) The rationale for the decision to pay, or not to pay, participants and the likely impact on participation. It should be noted that all incentives, whether monetary or otherwise may represent an unethical inducement to participation.
g) Issues relating to information to be provided to participants in advance of, or during the research. Issues relating to the intended feedback, or otherwise of research results to participants.
h) Information about other review procedures to which the research project has already been subjected, including management approval where staff are involved as subjects. Is further or alternative ethical review required?
3.3:Consent
It is essential that all those who participate in research should do so voluntarily, hence at a minimum this section should address:
a) Details of how it is intended that informed consent be obtained from the participants. Depending on the nature of the research, this can involve the production of a written information sheet that includes a mechanism for the participant to evidence that their consent has been obtained. Copies of any relevant documentation should be included.
b) Procedures for gaining permission from participants who are unable to give informed consent (materials should be attached).
c) A special case has to be made for any cases where it is not possible to obtain consent.
Part IV: Signature
This part must be signed and dated regardless of whether or not you need to fill in Part III. If you send the form by email, you do not need to sign (only date). It is enough that it is sent from your University of Kent email address.
Signature:Date:
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