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Developing a Framework for Social Science Research Ethics Graham Lewis

Developing a Framework for Social Science Research Ethics Graham Lewis Science and Technology Studies Unit Department of Sociology University of York gl12@york.ac.uk www.york.ac.uk/res/ref. Ethical Frameworks for Research Conference Open University 4 November 2004.

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Developing a Framework for Social Science Research Ethics Graham Lewis

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  1. Developing a Framework for Social Science Research Ethics Graham Lewis Science and Technology Studies Unit Department of Sociology University of York gl12@york.ac.uk www.york.ac.uk/res/ref Ethical Frameworks for Research Conference Open University 4 November 2004

  2. Context within which REF developed European/international developments • New EU ethics code of practice • RESPECT Project as benchmark for social science ethics • EU Clinical Trials Directive • US/Canadian requirements for ethics review

  3. Context within which REF developed National developments • Department of Health’s Research Governance Framework • Wellcome Trust report on research governance and requirements relating to ethics review of grant proposals • Increased sensitivity to terms of Data Protection Act • Reviews and revisions of professional and institutional practice/guidance (SRA, GSR, Nuffield, RAGnet etc)

  4. Developments within social science Strategic Forum for the Social Sciences (SFSS) • SFSS agrees need to develop new framework for UK • Need to revisit, clarify and strengthen ethics review and research governance • And to do this in way that makes sense to domain of SSR

  5. ‘Organising principles’ of REF Key objectives • Build new guidelines that complement other frameworks • Secure their mutual recognition • Robust enough to act as custodian of good SSR in changing research context (especially growing cross–Council funding and inter-disciplinarity)

  6. Key features of REF development • Developed in close consultation with wide range of interests/organisations/HEIs • Focuses on the place of ethics within a social science paradigm – especially with regard to issues of risk • Provides a new set of guidelines and requirements for research organisations in receipt of ESRC funding, especially with regard to structure and role of RECs • Accompanied by 4 papers - on interdisciplinary research, international work, regulatory issues, and review of HEI practice

  7. The REF Web Site

  8. Types of research activity covered by Framework • Research conducted within each of the principal fields/disciplines of the social sciences • Interdisciplinary social science research • Interdisciplinary social/other science research • International social science research • Complementary to guidance provided for social research by other bodies (e.g. by SRA)

  9. What the Framework guidelines are not about • Providing a definition of social science research • Attempting to provide a precise formula or rules that seek to define the meaning of social science research • Producing new ethical codes of practice – primary focus will be on ethical scrutiny and research governance • Duplicating existing good practice – but will seek to articulate with other ethics–related guidance

  10. Themes and issues from consultation - 1 Regional meetings, interviews, online consultation • Appropriate scrutiny and mutual recognition of ethics framework • Meaning of informed consent and its place in different research fields • Place of the REF and wider responsibilities • Training in and resources for ethics review • Wider scope of the REF

  11. Themes and issues from consultation - 2 Interviews with senior university staff • Ethics review valuable in raising awareness, but focus on ethics (and not other matters!) is key • Expedited review essential • Research paradigms differ between disciplines • RECs should emphasise their educational, and not just a regulatory remit • Appropriate level of effort for anticipated (and not imagined) risk as key demand

  12. Structure of Framework Document The Social Science Paradigm The Role of the REF The Basic Principles Implementing the REF: Code and Guidelines Supporting Papers and Bibliography

  13. Some key issues for the future • Important to build a robust REF to negotiate recognition with other agencies/codes (such as RGF) • Where to locate the ethics scrutiny process within ROs? • What implications are there for the application process itself? • Does a ‘light review’ of research before submission to ESRC (or other agencies?) make sense? • How to ensure compliance with the REF?

  14. Overall message Ethics is integral to research work and not an ‘add on’ or a hurdle to overcome. It is perhaps better to include ethics as a substantive issue integral to the normal research process than leave it as an external event at the beginning of data collection.

  15. What’s happening now with REF? The future of REF - impressions and speculations • Internal discussion with SFSS/other parties underway • Broad acceptance of proposed REF • More discussion on implementation required • And even more discussion on ‘mutual recognition’… • Will REF be introduced – and if so, when?

  16. Project team Prof Mary Boulton, Oxford Brookes University Dr Nik Brown, SATSU, University of York Dr Graham Lewis, SATSU, University of York Prof Andrew Webster, SATSU, University of York Project website: www.york.ac.uk/res/ref

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