A Guide

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.

Read form carefully before you do anything else! pproval/human_research_ethics pproval/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.

Long processing times: Check meeting times of ethics committee and other relevant institutions. thics_approval/human_research_ethics/human_research_ethics_c ommitte_meeting_dates thics_approval/human_research_ethics/human_research_ethics_c ommitte_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!

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

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..

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.

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!

Use simple but precise language. Repeat yourself. Use charts and tables to create a better overview.

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

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

Part 3: Recruitment of Participants 3.4: Personal approach with participants refers to any contact (phone, , 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.

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.

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