Receiving Ethics Approval

1. Receiving Ethics Approval A Guide

2. 1. Before Writing an Ethics Application Why is writing an ethics application NOT a waste of time? It helps you to... • clarify your research questions. • limit your research questions. • briefly formulate your theory. • check and test your methodology. • create and follow a timeline. • discuss your thesis with other people.

3. Ethics Application Form • Read form carefully before you do anything else! http://www.research.mq.edu.au/for/researchers/how_to_obtain_ethics_approval/human_research_ethics • What are the requirements in order to get ethics clearance? • Who can be contacted? • Get an overview • Check how many ethics/research approvals are required.

4. Prepare for... • Long processing times: Check meeting times of ethics committee and other relevant institutions. http://www.research.mq.edu.au/for/researchers/how_to_obtain_ethics_approval/human_research_ethics/human_research_ethics_committe_meeting_dates • Criticism: You will need to revise your application. • Discussion: Only modify aspects of your methodology if that is justified. • Motivating yourself: Without ethics, there is no thesis!

5. Timeline Setting a Date for Ethics Submission • Determine a (several) date(s) of data collection to find out by when you need ethics approval. • Calculate approximate processing time for your ethics application(s) (include revision time) - minimum 2 months. • Difference (today’s date + application submission date) = period of time to work towards the ethics approval

6. Timeline Period of Time to prepare Ethics Application • Calculate period of time that it takes to clarify Theory and Methodology. Background Backbone (not fully formulated (has to be ‘waterproof’) but clear) • Calculate time period to create/revise/modify test instrument. • Calculate the time that it takes to fill in application form, proposals to test group(s), information sheets, consent forms etc. .

7. 2. Preparing the Ethics Application • Write a short version of your theory. • Write a short version of your methodology. • Create the concrete instruments for your study, e.g. questionnaire, interview questions. • Create framework for the realisation of the study. • Write study proposals – contact potential participants. • Write information sheets, consent forms.

8. 3. Filling in the Ethics Application Form • Get appropriate “University paper” or “University logo” – usually from administration office • Contact Ethics Department if you have any questions! • Make sure to highlight that your participants are safe!

9. Filling in the Ethics Application FormSome Tips • Use simple but precise language. • Repeat yourself. • Use charts and tables to create a better overview.

10. Filling in the Ethics Application Form • Part 1: Project Summary and Administration • 1.3: Chief investigator – your supervisor • 1.3: all questions refer to your professional background (study and work related) – not your research you are applying for • 1.7: Funding/Plan Details – refers to funding related to this particular research

11. Filling in the Ethics Application Form • Part 2: 2.2 Description of the project • Create small paragraphs • Background of the study • Theory • Methodology: • phases of study if more than one • include nr, sex, age of participants • tasks of participants • security of participants

12. Filling in the Ethics Application Form • Part 3: Recruitment of Participants • 3.4: Personal approach with participants refers to any contact (phone, email, questions) with participants as well as third parties between researcher and direct participants • E.g.: Research in schools: Even if you do not contact students directly, you need to identify this. • 3.6: Be careful with promising financial benefit to participants.

13. 4. Review of your Ethics Application • Read comments carefully. • Clarify questions if you are not sure what the comments entail. • Make changes only if appropriate. • Potentially check with other institutions if advised changes will be recognised by them. • Contact member of ethics committee to discuss your changes before resubmitting.

14. End Having to receive ethics clearance is not a reason to avoid conducting studies!