Research Involving Human Participants

If a researcher is conducting any research that involves human participants, their data, or their tissue, they must obtain appropriate ethical approval from a Research Ethics Committee. Researchers should abide by the outcome of the ethical review throughout the project lifecycle. They should also ensure that their research projects have been approved by all applicable bodies, ethical, regulatory, or otherwise.

The dignity, rights, safety, and wellbeing of participants must be the primary consideration in any research study. Research should be begun and continued only if the anticipated benefits justify the risks involved.

Researchers must satisfy themselves that participants are enabled, by the provision of adequate accurate information in an appropriate form through suitable procedures, to give informed consent, having regard to the needs and capacities of vulnerable groups.

If researchers consider that human participants in research are subject to unreasonable risk or harm, they must suspend the activity that is deemed harmful and then report their concerns to the Head of Research Governance.

Research Involving the NHS or Social Care

If a researcher is conducting any research carried out within the NHS or social care, including using NHS or social care premises, facilities or equipment or involving NHS or social care patients or staff or their data, they will need to apply for Sponsorship.

Research Involving Human Tissue

All human samples for research must be stored and used in accordance with the Human Tissue Act. Researchers should follow University guidance on Working with Human Tissue, undertake appropriate training and familiarise themselves with the University’s SOPs and Quality Management System. Researchers must always treat all human samples with dignity and respect, and in accordance with the original consent of the donor, where appropriate.

Any researcher working with biological materials, including genetically modified samples, should follow guidance provided by Health & Safety on Biological Safety.

Research Involving Data relating to Human Participants

Researchers must always consider the confidentiality and security of personal data relating to human participants and follow the University's guidelines on research data, as well as complying with any legal requirements. Researchers should inform research participants that data gathered during research may be disseminated not only in a report but also in different forms for academic or other subsequent publications and meetings, albeit not in an identifiable form, unless previously agreed to, and subject to limitations imposed by legislation or any applicable bodies, ethical, regulatory, or otherwise.

Research Involving Social Media Data

Research involving data from social media users requires ethical review; this includes projects which use social media for recruiting participants, as a data source or a data collection tool, or for communication into focus groups, chat rooms, or interviews. Researchers should be aware of considerations of privacy and consent and the potential for their research to cause harm either to the research participants or to themselves.

Research Involving Animals

Any projects involving animals must seek guidance from AWERB and ensure that appropriate licences are in place where necessary. Researchers must have the necessary procedure training and maintain accurate record keeping. They should also ensure that such research projects have been approved by all applicable bodies, ethical, regulatory, or otherwise before starting the research.

If researchers consider that animals involved in research are subject to unreasonable risk, harm or licence infringement, they must suspend the activity that is deemed harmful and then report their concerns to the Head of Research Governance.

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