Research ethics updates
24 Feb 2022
Please note these important updates from the University research ethics team. Our AMBS Covid policy for PGT dissertation projects is currently under review and will be communicated shortly.
1. Update on research in the COVID environment relevant to data collection in England: this includes several areas
• A COVID specific risk assessment will no longer be required (from 24th February) for face to face data collection. Risk assessments will still be required as part of an ethics application where this is necessary (usually in relation to the location of data collection or the methodology).
• The COVID addendum to the participant information sheet is still required for all studies (including where there is an ethical exemption).
• Researchers conducting face to face research on University premises, or on the premises of other organisations are expected to follow any guidance that applies to those premises.
Please note that for data collection in other UK nations, different requirements may be in place and local regulations and guidance must be followed.
Please see full details.*
2. Changes relating to use of electronic vouchers for research participants: important information for any researcher currently planning or conducting research where participants are given vouchers. Please read this update**.
For any research ethics queries, please contact Nadia Papamichail (PGT) or Julie Froud (PGR & staff).
Important update on research in the COVID environment
The Government have now announced that as of 24th February 2022 all restrictions imposed in relation to COVID-19 in England will be removed and that it is the responsibility of all individuals to take appropriate precautions and preventative measures to reduce the spread of the virus in the community. Based on this, the University has taken the following decisions in relation to research activities of staff and students:
1. A COVID specific risk assessment will no longer be required in order to undertake face-to-face (in person) data collection activities. However, researchers will still be required to submit completed risk assessments as part of their ethics applications should the specific methodology or location of the research make it necessary. This should be authorised by the appropriate individual within the School (i.e. supervisor, line manager or School Safety Officer).
2. The COVID addendum to the participant information sheet will remain a requirement for all research studies (i.e. both those requiring formal ethical approval as well as those classed as an ethical exemption) undertaking face-to-face (in person) data collection activities until further notice.
Please note, the above decisions have been taken in relation to research activities in England only. For research activities taking place in other UK nations (i.e. Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales) or in one of the Crown Dependencies, please refer to local guidance for more information about any remaining restrictions that may be in place. Research activities abroad must also continue to follow local regulation and guidance.
Researchers conducting face to face research on University premises, or on the premises of other organisations are expected to follow any guidance that applies to those premises. For guidance related to University of Manchester premises, please see the latest message on StaffNet Living with Covid.
It has come to our attention that the University’s Finance Department have recently updated their policy regarding the distribution of electronic vouchers (i.e. Amazon/high street) for research participants. You can read more about the changes here.
The changes have introduced an issue in relation to participant confidentiality and the use and storage of email addresses as these will now be processed and stored by individuals outside of the research team. As such, we will be speaking with relevant colleagues in Finance in order to attempt to resolve this issue and will keep you informed of the outcome of this discussion. Any solution is likely to require some change to PIS and Consent Form wordings, and we will communicate these to you in due course.
In the meantime, it is of great importance that research participants are provided with up to date and accurate information in relation to how their personal identifiable information is used, processed and stored. Therefore, if your research study currently provides research participants with an electronic voucher, you will need to take the following actions in relation to current or potential participants who have not yet received their voucher (there is no requirement to contact participants who have already had vouchers issued using the 'old' process):
1. Send them an informal communication/speak with them (e.g. email, verbal discussion or similar) to inform them of the change.
2. Amend your PIS for any future participants so that it is made clear how their email addresses will be used, processed and stored. Some suggested wording that you may find helpful:
So that we can provide the shopping/Amazon voucher as a thank you for your time, your email address will be shared with our Finance department who will send the voucher to you. Your email address will be securely retained by Finance for a period of up to 7 years for audit purposes only and then destroyed. It will not be used by them for any other purpose.
3. Amend your consent form to add the following point (or similar wording):
I understand that my email address will be passed to the University’s Finance team for the sole purpose of sending me the shopping/Amazon voucher.
There is no requirement to submit a formal amendment in the ERM for ongoing projects, but make sure that you retain copies of your amended documents for audit purposes.
If you are currently going through the ethical review process, please ensure you amend your documents prior to approval being granted to take into account this change.
Frans Berkhout, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Social Science & Public Policy and Professor of Environment, Society and Climate at King’s College London. Book Now."