Research Ethics
At Warwick, all research proposals require ethical scrutiny that involve "direct contact with participants, through their physical participation in research activities (invasive and non-invasive participation), that indirectly involves participants through their provision of data or tissue and that involves people on behalf of others (e.g. parents on behalf of children)."
The main ethical responsibility of researchers is "to protect participants from any harm arising from research. Harm to participants may arise from undue stress through participation, loss of self esteem, psychological injury as well as physical harm." The issue of ethical approval will also arise if the research creates "potential risks to [the] safety of [the researcher and/or] their research team when conducting certain types of research; for example a researcher may be required to enter potentially dangerous environments to question certain participants."
Note that research does not require ethical scrutiny if it does not involve direct or indirect contact with participants. Most research involving previously existing datasets where individual-level information is not provided, or where individuals level data is provided but individuals cannot be identified (eg. British Household Panel, General Social Survey...), or when using historical data, does not require ethical scrutiny. However, it is good practice, when using an existing dataset that does not fit into the above specified categories, there should be a level of oversight of the work (see fruther detail on the routes to follow below) and this is likely to include most research conducted in the department. Research involving laboratory or field experiments, or the collection of new individual level survey data, always requires ethical scrutiny. If in doubt, you must consult their adviser or colleague. The burden of responsibility for seeking the necessary scrutiny and approval lies on the you.
The first point of reference is the University's Research Code of PracticeLink opens in a new window. The University's Research Support Services provide a fuller account of university policies and procedures for research integrity and ethical conductLink opens in a new window.
Below outlines the different pathways for ethics submissions and approvals.
MRes/Msc Students
Students' research proposals may require ethical scrutiny and approval, and this is done within the department under rules approved by the University ethical committee HSSRECLink opens in a new window. All MSc/MRes students should consult with their supervisors and, if appropriate, complete a form for ethical approval and submit the completed form to the postgraduate office by the deadline in their dissertation guidelines. All application forms will be scrutinised for approval and signed by the ethical approval officer.
PhD Students
PhD students should not contact HSSREC directly. Instead, they should submit their ethics request to Natalie Deven, Programme Officer (PGR), who will refer it to the Economics internal panel. The panel will review the application and either approve it or, where the proposal is considered sufficiently ethically complex, escalate it to HSSREC for further review.
Academic and Research Staff
Staff have several routes:
- Ethical approval under the DR@W umbrella (if they are DR@W members) has its own online formLink opens in a new window. More information on DR@W can be found hereLink opens in a new window.
- HSSREC external approval if the project already has approval elsewhere, requires a note of the existing approval to be made on WorkTribe - details in the “external approvals” section hereLink opens in a new window
- HSSREC light touch review for low-risk projects or updates to existing projects* More information can be found hereLink opens in a new window.
If none of the above apply the ethical approval proceeds through the full review process under the HSSREC “full review” hereLink opens in a new window:
HSSREC will allocate 2 of the 6-person Economics subpanel to review the project. They will make a judgment and pass this to the full committee for final approval.
Data Protection
Collection of data is covered by the General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018.
The University is committed to compliance with both. “Personal data” means any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person (“data subject”). A person will be identifiable if they can be identified, directly or indirectly, in particular by reference to an identifier such as a name, an identification number, location data, an online identifier or to one or more factors specific to the physical, physiological, genetic, mental, economic, cultural or social identity of that natural person. Opinions and inferences are also personal data if the individual can be identified from that data, either directly or indirectly, and the information relates to that individual.
Special protection applies to “special category data” which includes information about an individual's race; ethnic origin; religious or philosophical beliefs; political opinions; trade union membership; genetics; biometrics, health; sex life; or sexual orientation.
You have individual responsibility for the proper storage and disposal of data.
See more information hereLink opens in a new window.