Ethical approval: resources for applicants
All research involving human participants, whether undertaken by the University's staff or students, must undergo an ethics review and ethical approval must be obtained before it commences. ‘Human participants’ are defined as including living human beings, human beings who have recently died (cadavers, human remains and body parts), embryos and foetuses, human tissue and bodily fluids, and personal data and records (such as, but not restricted to medical, genetic, financial, personnel, criminal or administrative records and test results including scholastic achievements).
All research involving animals other than humans where the animal is the subject of the research, whether undertaken by the University's staff or students, must undergo an ethics review and a favourable opinion must be obtained before it commences. For the purposes of ethics review of research, the University uses the broadest definition of animal.
Before you begin the application process please ensure you have consulted the guidelines for ethical approval.
- Guidelines for ethical approval of research involving human participants (.pdf)
This document sets out the University requirements, including the protection and rights of participants and our requirements for informed consent. The Moodle course Research Involving Human Participants provides an overview of the responsibilities researchers have when conducting research involving human participants. It also outlines the ethical considerations of such research. Completion of this course is recommended before commencing an application for ethical approval for the first time
Guidelines for ethical approval of research involving animals (.pdf).
This document sets out the University requirements, including the protection and rights of animal subjects and researchers. These guidelines should be read in conjunction with the published University Policy Statement on the Use of Animals in Research to which they link.Guidance for using human tissue for research (.pdf)
This document sets out the requirements for any research involving human tissue.
Research must not commence until written approval has been received. This should be borne in mind when setting a start date for the project. Ethical approval cannot be granted retrospectively and failure to obtain ethical approval prior to data collection will mean that this data cannot be used.
Application review processes
University ethics review and application
Applications for ethics approval are made via ERAMS (Ethics Review and Management System). On submission ERAMS will route your application to your departmental Ethics Officer. For students, ERAMS will route your application to your supervisor who is required to confirm that they have read and approved the quality of both the research proposal and the application.
- Introduction to Research Ethics (Moodle course)
- Guidance on how to use ERAMS (also accessible from within ERAMS)
- Participant information sheet guidance – October 2024 (.docx)
- Participant information sheet template – October 2024 (.docx)
- Consent form template (.docx)
- University of Essex Information Security Policy
- Complying with data protection laws
- Data protection and research activity
- University research data management policy (.pdf)
- Creating a research data management plan (.pdf)
- Research data and social media – some general principles (.pdf)
- How to write a privacy notice
- Guidance on filming and photographing people on campus
- Research risk assessment
- Lone Working - Risks and Responsibilities
- Science Media Centre: Advice for researchers experiencing harassment
HRA ethics review
If your project involves NHS participants it may require a review through the Health Research Authority (HRA). Any application to the HRA will need to be authorised by the Research Governance and Planning Manager so it is important that you contact the Research Governance Team as soon as possible so that we can provide you with help and advice about the process.
There are various bodies that may or may not need to review your application depending on the project to be undertaken and the participants involved. In addition, if your research requires a review by one of UK Health Departments’ Research Ethics Service Committees, you will not need to seek a full ethics review through the University’s review processes.
The following points may help you to get started:
- projects involving the NHS may be classified by the University as research but may not be classified as such by the HRA, e.g. service evaluations and audits. The HRA will only review a project defined as research by the HRA, please refer to the HRA Decision Tool. In cases where the project has not been defined as research by the HRA, ethical approval will need to be sought through the University’s ethics review processes (see University Ethics Review tab)
- whatever approvals are required through the HRA you will need to develop in the Integrated Research Application System (IRAS) and, once formally authorised, electronically submit the forms and supporting documents. There is comprehensive question-specific guidance available and it is essential that you follow this closely
- do not forget that you should not develop NHS applications until you have discussed them with the unit in which you wish to undertake the research
Resources
MoD ethics review
Does your research involve the Ministry of Defence or serving members of the military? If so, you will need to make an application to MoDREC.
Please contact the research governance team (reo-governance@essex.ac.uk) at an early stage if such an application is required.
