Deadline dates for academic year 2024/25
Block 1 and 2
Screening form deadline: 07/07/2024
Worktribe app deadline: 21/07/2024
Worktribe application approval: 02/09/2024
Block 3 and 4
Screening form deadline: 10/11/2024
Worktribe app deadline: 24/11/2024
Worktribe application approval: 31/01/2025
Block 5 and 6
Screening form deadline: 16/03/2025
Worktribe app deadline: 30/03/2025
Worktribe application approval: 30/04/2025
Research Ethics Screening Questions Form
In the first instance, the module/programme leader should have a discussion with the Faculty Head of Research Ethics, Prof Kathleen Richardson (kathleen.richardson@dmu.ac.uk) to determine if the study meets the criteria for Block Approval.
Following criteria approval by the Faculty Head of Research Ethics, in order to determine if a full ethical application is required, please complete a Research Ethics Screening Questions Form, which should also include a brief project description. This should be emailed to ethics.cem@dmu.ac.uk. Following an assessment, you will be advised if:
- additional information is required;
- a full Worktribe application is required (go to the Ethics Application Procedures below); or
- no further action necessary.
Ethics Application Procedures
Whilst ethical review is normally done on a project‐by‐project basis, it is recognised that, for UG/PGT level, there are occasions where students may complete very similar or identical low risk projects. In such cases, it may be proportionate to approve research at a programme or module level, rather than individually for each student.
Such cases will be typified by, for the most part, a consistency in research processes and methods. This will include projects where pedagogic research might be involved, and where students are engaged as co‐producers of knowledge through the undertaking of research in their capacity as consultants.
Please note that Block Approval:
- is not judged appropriate for Dissertation Modules;
- applies where basic research is undertaken by students as part of a taught module on a routine basis;
- is where the research is part of a programme of work assessed to be of extremely low risk. For ease of reference please refer to the Faculty Guidance on low risk research for UG PGT students;
- applications must be submitted by the module leader or programme leader via the Worktribe System.
Please see the Block ethics approval for UG and PGT levels – guidance and form.
Block Approval Applications must be submitted by the module leader or programme leader via the Worktribe System. At the front of the application’s title, please include the wording “Block Approval”. As you are submitting a block application as a student project in Worktribe, you will be listed as the applicant and supervisor. After you submit your application, make sure to approve it for review as supervisor. Following submission approval, the application will sit under status “Triage”.
Please be aware that the ethics review will be carried out by 3 FREC members and it can take a minimum of 2-3 weeks to process (excluding unforeseen circumstances, e.g. holidays, strike action, etc.). This applies each time the student and supervisor resubmit an amended application.
Supporting Document Templates
If your study involves human participants, then participant forms (Information Sheet/Consent Forms, etc.) may need to be uploaded to the “Documents” section of the Worktribe application. Please use the editable participant form templates available below.
DMU Research Ethics Code of Practice
The university’s Research Ethics Code of Practice must be read and referred to by all applicants, supervisors, module/programme leaders and reviewers when completing/assessing an ethics application or screening form.
DMU Policies and Guidance
All other DMU Policies and Ethical guidance can be found at the DMU Policies and Resources web page. This includes lone worker, considerations for research involving children and young people, general data protection regulations and good research practice.
Sensitive Research
All information on the processes and provisions relating to sensitive research can be found in the links below:
Sensitive Research Guidance
Sensitive Research Form
Faculty Ethics Committee Chair
Professor Kathleen Richardson
Faculty Head of Research Ethics
Chair of CEM Research Ethics Committee
kathleen.richardson@dmu.ac.uk
Checklist
Please ensure that you have included the following in your application:
- project start and finish dates;
- your document checklist (please go to the “Help” tab, “Document Repository”);
- attachments;
- applications must be submitted by the module leader or programme leader;
- following submission approval, the application should now sit under status “Triage”.
For information purposes please note that, within Worktribe, applications should be reassigned to CEM Ethics Officer Group.