Obtaining ethics approval for your research

It is important to determine what permissions and approvals are necessary for your research project at an early stage so that you can submit the necessary applications as soon as possible

Ethics approval is a fundamental component of research activity but it can be complicated by the variety of ethics approval bodies, and by factors such as the characteristics of the research participants and where the research is taking place.  Identifying the most appropriate process to follow is not necessarily straightforward and, given the individual nature of most research projects, there is no simple ‘one size fits all’ recommendation.  It is also important to note that under the Mental Capacity Act (2005) and the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act (2000), any research involving adults who lack capacity requires ethics approval from a Research Ethics Committee recognised by the Secretary of State as an Appropriate Body for this purpose.
 
It is not usually possible to receive funding/grant payments or begin data collection until all the necessary permissions and approvals have been obtained.  Please note that this process can take time, and this should be reflected in your project timetable.
 
Briefing 82, Applying for Ethics Approval for Research, has been developed for researchers who are seeking to determine what ethics approvals are required for their proposed research activity, and to provide practical guidance relating to the process of applying for research ethics approval.  Researchers should also be familiar with the Governance Arrangements for Research Ethics Committees.
 
Download Briefing 82: Applying for Ethics Approval for Research
 
Download: Governance arrangements for research ethics committees