Humanities and Social Sciences Research Ethics Committee (HSSREC) April 2014

Ethics approval matters!

Scope and remit of the HSSRECHSSREC Reports directly to University’s Research Governance and Ethics Committee archethicscommittees/hssrec/ Professor Julian Webb, is the current Chair of HSSREC 4 Members - Faculty of Social Science 1 Member - Psychology Department 1 Member - Faculty of Arts 1 Member - Faculty of Medicine 2 Lay Members 1 Student Member Secretary Ex Officio – Head of Research Governance Potentially 12 members at one meeting Who we are

HSSREC WEB PAGES Where to find information

Remit 1.To ensure that all non-NHS Research is of the highest ethical standard, and is in line with legislation and guidance concerning ethical approval and governance. 2.To consider and monitor any issues related to external ethics committee processes. AIM

Currently (March 2014) all staff research from the Faculty of Social Sciences Faculty of Arts Department of Psychology A study that does not fall within the scope of NHS ethical approval and involves human participants, their data and/or tissue must be sent to the HSSREC for appropriate approval.

The HSSREC would not, however, normally expect to review studies/research involving: Literature/Systematic Reviews Documentary Analysis Personal accounts published in the public domain such as chat rooms or weblogs In addition, the HSSREC would not normally require ethical review for: Interviews/consultation with key informants/service users during the development of research proposals Stakeholder consultations during the developmental stage of research proposals

Application process The Committee will normally only accept applications for ethical approval: After funding has been awarded (in the instances where external funding is sought) Except when ethical approval forms part of the requirements of a grant application or where it is helpful to the applicant for the review to take place earlier Internally Funded Applications relating to internally funded or own account research should be submitted and approved before commencement of the study Application to HSSREC

If the University of Warwick is not the lead organisation for the research, an expedited application is requested - copies of the original ethics application and award letter must be attached.… For approval by the Chair

STUDENT RESEARCH Departments will be responsible for ensuring the ethical review of all student research in accordance with the following Guidelines for student research.Guidelines for student research. STUDENT RESEARCH Departments will be responsible for ensuring the ethical review of all student research in accordance with the following Guidelines for student research.Guidelines for student research. Any research which is deemed by the Chair of Department/Nominated Ethics Representative to require full ethical committee approval should be sent to HSSREC in accordance with procedures for staff research. If in doubt, researchers, student supervisors and students should discuss their research with Professor Julian Webb, Chair of the HSSREC or with the HSSREC Secretary.

Principal Investigators should apply. Applications for students must be made by the supervisor who acts as Principal Investigator using the HSSREC application form and all applications must be supported by the signature of the Chair of Department. Principal Investigators are advised to read the Guidelines before completing the application form.

Example of what was covered over the period of Two HSSREC meetings in 2013/14

Fully completed Applications should be sent in hard copy and format to Debra Bloxham in Research Support Services. Applications must be submitted at least 2 weeks in advance of the next Committee meeting to allow members appropriate time to review applications. An up to date schedule of meetings can be found here.here Applicants do not normally attend HSSREC Next meetings for2013 Committee Dates: 15th May th July 2014 Papers due by: 1st May nd July 2014

Applications Checklist (to be found at end of application form) FREQUENT OMISSIONS / ERRORS: 1.Failure to follow guidelines on RSS/HSSREC pages. 2.Bad grammar, spelling. 3.The Application form – please use LAY Language, we may come back to ask for the full protocol / proposal if we feel it would be helpful. 4.Participant Information Sheet which must be in Warwick Format – Headed paper! 5.Consent Form which must be in Warwick Format – Headed paper. 6.Copies of any relevant authorisations including HOD. 7.The complaints rubric.

Review Procedure a) Applications will be sent to all HSSREC members prior to the meeting and comments will be collected, discussed and recorded at the meeting. b) Applicants will be notified of the HSSREC’s decision as soon as possible after the meeting in writing.

OUTCOMES 1.Approved – no amendment. 2.Conditionally Approved – minor amendments required. 3.Resubmit – needs to be resubmitted with substantial amendments. 4.Rejected – ethically unsound. Once approved – any changes must be notified to the Chair via the HSSREC Secretary.

Chair’s Action Chair’s Action may be taken (with the advice of other Committee members if appropriate) to: 1.Determine whether or not an application falls within the remit of the committee; 2.Confirm the approval of conditionally-approved applications when the conditions have been met; 3.Approve application amendments which are typographical corrections, minor re-drafting or administrative points; 4.Note correspondence received for information only; 5.Approve expedited review applications according to approved process. 6.Urgent approval under exceptional circumstances.

Expedited review Can occur where the potential for risk of harm to participants and others affected by the proposed research is minimal. Please complete sections A and B of this form together with one of the annexes and return to the HSSREC Secretary along with a copy of the study protocol. 1.Annex A. Approval of minor amendments to projects that have already received ethical approval. 2.Annex B. Approval of research involving the review of secondary or historical data where there is no participant involvement. 3.Annex C. Approval of research where participant involvement is limited to consultancy/advisory input only.

The Registrar has overall responsibility for governance throughout the University. You are advised to see the University's Complaints and Feedback Procedure. Further information about the complaints procedure is available at: Complaints and Feedback Procedure Any complaints should be directed to: The Director of Delivery Assurance Registrar's Office University House University of Warwick Coventry CV4 8UW not to the Chief Investigator, research team member, Head of Department or anyone else involved in the study.

Useful Documents: Recently accessed by HSSREC applicants: UKRIO Code of Practice for Research. An electronic version of the publication is available from UKRIO’s website, ESRC Informed consent in Social Research Wiles et-al 2005, This paper comprises a literature review outlining the current issues and debates relating to informed consent in social research Ethical Approaches to gathering information from adolescents and children in social settings “Horizon's” WHO Casebook on ethical issues in international research Social Research Association ( GUIDELINESwww.the-sra.org.uk/Ethicals.htm British Sociological Association (BSA) British Education Research Association