Research Ethics
Liverpool John Moores University is committed to maintaining high ethical standards in studies undertaken by its staff and students. Research ethics ensures the safety, dignity and rights of research participants whilst providing assurance that studies are conducted within an ethical framework as outlined in LJMU Code of Practice for Research.
It is a fundamental requirement of LJMU that all studies undertaken by University staff or students using human subjects as participants (including audits and service evaluations) receive approval from an appropriate LJMU Research Ethics Committee (REC) or a NHS REC before any recruitment commences. If the requisite approval is not secured, your study may not be covered under the University's insurance policies.
LJMU REC and Terms of Reference
Research Ethics Guidebook for Social Scientists
ESRC Research Ethics Framework
Obtaining Informed Consent for Research Participation
Mental Capacity Act
From 1 October 2007, research covered by the Mental Capacity Act cannot include any person who lacks the capacity to consent to the research unless:
- the research has the approval of a research ethics committee recognised by either the Secretary of State or the Welsh Assembly Government, as appropriate
- the researcher considers the views of carers and other relevant people
- the research treats the person’s interests as more important than those of science and society
- the researcher respects any advance decisions or expressed preferences of a person who lacks capacity and any objections the person makes during the research
The following documents provide further information about the implications of the Mental Capacity Act and research:
A Simple Guide to the Mental Capacity Act 2005 - NHS Research and Development Forum
The Mental Capacity Act - Fact Sheet for Social Scientists
The Mental Capacity Act Code of Practice
Teaching Practices
Where teaching practices involve invasive (physiological or psychological) procedures on human participants e.g. blood sampling, videoing, administration of personal questionnaires or use of equipment to measure physiological responses, JMU REC will provide an ethical opinion on the teaching procedure and associated consent process. Responsible staff e.g. the relevant programme or module leader should submit the following documentation to the ethics committee secretary for consideration by the REC:
- An outline of the procedure in question including its purpose, typical use and information regarding storage of any personal data/information collected during the procedure.
- A code of practice for staff/students.
- A sample participant information sheet.
- A sample consent form or, in the case of verbal consent, details of the consent process.
- A copy of any risk assessment undertaken.
- A list of all staff wishing to be approved to supervise or perform the procedure.
The code of practice should ideally describe the procedure in question and address the need for the procedure in the context of the teaching programme, any associated risks and how they will be mitigated, the consent process and what will happen to any personal data which is generated by the procedure.
Following successful review approval for the Code of Practice for teaching purposes will be issued for a maximum period of three years.
During the three year approval period the named individual for the procedure will be required to notify the REC of:
- any substantial changes to the procedure
- the addition or removal of named staff to the approved list
- any adverse events which occur in relation to the named procedure