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Research Ethics Approval Process

This Ethics guidance will need to evolve and will be reviewed regularly. If you have any comments you can send your views to: Ethics Administrator, Research Support Unit [RSU], RKTS ext. 3170, [l.d.nuttall@bradford.ac.uk]

For guidance on whether you will need NHS or University approval, please see website.

Research Ethics Approval Process
Stage 1  Principal Investigator [PI] or Principal Supervisor [PS] completes the Research Ethics Checklist Ethics Checklist (doc 87.5kb)  to ascertain whether full ethical approval is required. If no ethical implications are identified the checklist should be signed and sent to the Ethics Administrator in the Research Support Unit. [The appropriate Research Ethics Panel will receive a listing of all projects checked in this way.]
Stage 2

If the completion of the checklist highlights the project as requiring ethical approval, the Ethics Application Form (doc, 110kb) should be completed in consultation with the Guidance Notes for Ethics Application Form (pdf 95kb).  Once complete this form should be forwarded to the Ethics Administrator in the Research Support Unit of RKTS for consideration by two ethics reviewers, at least one of whom must be a member of a Research Ethics Panel.  

If you plan to submit an application for generic approval, i.e. Generic approval is required if you need an application that will cover several sufficiently similar research projects with similar methodology or projects where the difference between the tests involved is not ethically relevant, please contact the Chair of the appropriate Research Ethics Panel in the first instance.  You will need to complete an Application Form for Generic Approval

Stage 3 The Ethics Administrator in the Research Support Unit will check the form for completeness. If further detail is required the form will be returned and this will delay the process.
Stage 4 The Ethics Administrator in the Research Support Unit will identify two Ethics Reviewers in liaison with the Chair of the appropriate Research Ethics Panel [REP]. Reviewers will be members of the REP, they will be able to coopt expertise, as required, and one will be identified to 'lead' on discussion if/when the project goes to Panel. 
 Reviewer's Comments Form Guidance Notes (pdf 77kb)  are available for Reviewers.
Stage 5 The Ethics Administrator in the Research Support Unit receives Reviewer's Comments form (doc 66kb)  back [reviewers given a maximum of 2 weeks to complete and return the forms].
Stage 6 If both the Reviewers find the research uncontentious, the Chair can take action to approve the project without it having to go to a meeting of the REP.
Stage 7 Otherwise, the completed Application Form and Reviewers Forms will go to the next meeting of the appropriate REP. Meetings of each REP will be held monthly if necessary.
Stage 8 REP consider the project with the lead speaking in support of the application.
Stage 9  Ethics Administrator in the Research Support Unit will communicate the decision to PI/PS.
The decision will be 1 of 4:
  • Approved;
  • Rejected [with reasons given];
  • Approval subject to specified changes [Panel does not need to see again];
  • Approved subject to specified changes [amended Application Form to be resubmitted to the Panel for further consideration].

Contact us

Research & Knowledge Transfer Support
University of Bradford
Bradford
West Yorkshire
BD7 1DP

E: rkts@bradford.ac.uk

T: + 44 (0)1274 236000

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