1. Dr. Niamh Lenahan November 2016
UL Research Ethics
Dr. Niamh Lenahan
November 2016

2. What is Research Ethics?
Research Ethics is defined as the ethics used in the planning, conducting and reporting of research. It should provide protection for the subjects of research, i.e., humans and animals.

3. Who requires ethics approval?
All students who are engaged in research which involves any of the following will require ethics approval
Human participants
Interviews, surveys or questionnaires administered to individuals
Use of data derived from individual records where individuals might be identified
Animal experimentation (UL Animal ethics, 3R’s, reduction, refinement & replacement)
Other areas include (e.g. high level biohazard, military technology research, nuclear reactions)
Exceptions: Research on patients (i.e. people who are receiving treatment as a result of an illness) should be referred to the Mid-Western Regional Hospital Research Ethics Committee.
For further information, please see

4. Research Ethics and Governance structure within UL

5. How to apply
Research Ethics application forms, submission dates and ethical approval guidelines are available within each Faculty:
Faculty of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences Research Ethics
Faculty of Education & Health Sciences Research Ethics
Kemmy Business School Research Ethics
Faculty of Science & Engineering Research Ethics
Animal Research Ethics Committee Code of Practice
Animal Research Ethics Application Form

6. Timeline
Submit applications 2 months before planned start date of this aspect of your research
Check your Faculty for Ethics meeting dates (once a month)
Many applications require minor revisions, build this into your project timeline
There is a typically 2-week turn-around time for minor amendments
You should carry out your research within 12 months of date approval otherwise you must resubmit another application

7. Route of FAHSS Ethics application

8. Considerations within your application
Anticipate ethical dilemmas likely to be encountered in the research and indicate how they will be surmounted
The application form must be discussed and reviewed with your supervisor(s)
Include an information letter for your informants and a consent form
If participants are under 18, consult UL’s child protection policy, Garda Clearance form
Include posters/ you may use for recruiting participants
Interview/surveys/questionnaires must be included if required
Safety issues likely to be encountered in the course of fieldwork
Project's data storage needs.

9. Information Letter
Explain in plain English what is required of the participants
A title of the study
Time involved, location of study & any risks involved
Rights to anonymity
Freedom to withdraw
Correct UL logo
Contact details of student & supervisor, (name & UL address)
Include – “This research study has received Ethics approval from (Faculty) ….”

10. Consent form Title of study
Space for both student and participant to sign
Space for name(s), date and location of the interview
Optional; offer transcript/recording of the interview
Inform the participants they may edit/amend the interview afterwards
They may withdraw their interview (up to the submission of the thesis)
Ask if anonymity is required?
Inform them of possible outcomes of the study, i.e. publications

11. Reasons for Provisionally approved
Application form not completed correctly
Insufficient information when describing what the participants will be required to do for the study
Required signatures not present
Paper or electronic copy not submitted
Required information not submitted – information letter/consent form/Garda clearance form
Incorrect UL logo, student address
Electronic and hardcopy does not contain the same information
Section 7, storage information insufficient.

12. Declined application Right to appeal In writing to the Chair of ULREG
Decision of ULREG is final