Ethical Reviews
Does your research require ethical review? As a junior researcher, you are expected to consider any ethical concerns raised by your research, and take the necessary steps needed to address these.
Every academic discipline has its own code of ethics, which function as a set of norms indicating what researchers should and should not do. Following best ethical practice will maximise the value and impact of your research.
The purpose of ethics is not to stop or halt your research but rather to ensure that all research is undertaken responsibly, with the utmost care and caution shown to those potentially affected by it.
Neglecting to consider ethical implications will not only affect the value of your findings but, crucially, could also cause significant harm to your subjects, and to the larger public your research might potentially impact. Undertaking research without ethical approval will be considered as misconduct, and the University will take no responsibility for your study, so it's important that you take all the necessary precautions.
The Code of Practice for Research sets out the standards that the University expects of all of its researchers and what it considers to be research misconduct.
Below are some key questions regarding ethics.
- Does my research require ethical review?
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If your research requires ethical review, it is important that you start the process as soon as possible, giving yourself enough time to submit a review application and to make any revisions that might be requested. Some research will require a minimum of 6-8 weeks to gain ethics approval. Being prepared through seeking advice will allow you to commence your project on time. Students may apply for ethical review in anticipation of submitting an application for a JRA award- this is recommended- however you must have the support of a supervisor to go through the ethical review process.
If you are planning to conduct research overseas, it is essential that you obtain ethical approval before you travel.
The first thing to do is to take a look at Sussex's 5-step self-assessment checklist. If you answer 'yes' to any of the questions on this checklist, some form of ethical review will be needed, and you must not commence your research until have you have been granted ethical approval.
If, after reading the checklist, you are still uncertain as to whether your project requires ethical review, you can contact your Supervisor, your School Research Ethics Officer (SREO) or the Research Governance Office (rgoffice@sussex.ac.uk) for further advice.
- What type of ethical review do I need?
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Research at Sussex is subject to two types of ethical review - School level and C-REC level - depending whether your project is classified as 'low risk' or 'higher risk'.
The risk level is determined by answers to the initial checklist on the Online Ethical Review application system. To determine whether your project will be 'low risk' or 'higher risk', you should refer to the nine-point checklist on Sussex's 'Overview of ethical review processes' page.
Once you know the risk level of your product, you can begin to fill in Sussex's Online Ethical Review Application.
If you are able to answer 'yes' to all nine questions in the nine-point checklist, then the project is assumed to be low risk. In this case, you will need to submit SECTION B of Sussex's Online Ethical Review Application form (along with supporting documents).
If you are unable to answer 'yes' to all nine questions in the checklist, then your project is regarded as being higher risk. In this case, you will need to submit SECTION C of Sussex's Online Ethical Review Application form (along with supporting documents).
In some instances, researchers can make a case that a project with one or more ‘yes’ responses is in fact low risk. This should be discussed with your supervisor.
- Applying for ethical review
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You can access the online ethical review application system via Sussex Direct. (When you have logged into Sussex Direct, click on the 'Research' tab, and then navigate to 'Ethical Reviews'.)
You can also download Guidance for Completing the Ethical Review Process [PDF 420.16KB] to help you prepare your application for research ethics review. An overview of the online ethical review system's functionality can be found in the User Guide for Online Ethical Review System[PDF 1.62MB]. You can find extensive guidance, along with helpful downloadble resources, on our online Research Governance and Integrity pages.
For further information, please consult our Ethics A-Z which includes additional guidance on Research Ethics, as well as links to our template forms and SREIO contact details for each C-REC
If you have any further questions, contact undergraduate-research@sussex.ac.uk and we'll try to point you in the right direction.