Research Ethics and Governance
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Human participants in research and knowledge exchange projects
Liverpool John Moores University is committed to maintaining high ethical standards in studies undertaken by its staff and students. LJMU staff and PGR student requirements for research ethics and governance are summarised in the flow diagram below and details are provided via:
LJMU Research Ethics and Governance SharePoint
LJMU Research Ethics and Governance Standard Operating Procedures
A favourable ethics opinion from a Research Ethics Committee, obtaining LJMU Research Governance Approval and/or obtaining LJMU sponsorship must be obtained, if required, prior to recruiting participants (or collecting data for secondary analysis). Ethics review, governance approval or sponsorship cannot be obtained retrospectively.
Research ethics
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 and Knowledge Exchange. Unless deemed exempt by LJMU, all research or knowledge exchange projects (including pilot studies) led by LJMU staff and students involving human participants or the collections and/or use of their data requires a favourable ethical opinion from an appropriate Research Ethics Committee (REC). If the requisite favourable ethics opinion is not secured, your project may not be covered under the University's liability/indemnity policies. The process of research ethics at LJMU also covers LJMU Research Governance Approval. For projects exempt from LJMU ethics review, there are separate processes to obtain LJMU Research Governance Approval.
To submit an ethics application for a staff or PGR project, please first read the information on the UREC webpage. To submit an ethics application for an UG or PGT project, please contact the relevant School REC.
Research Governance
Research Governance includes regulations, principles and standards of good practice that exist to achieve and continuously improve research quality. Research governance includes LJMU Research Governance Approval and LJMU Sponsorship of research. If the requisite LJMU research governance approval or LJMU sponsorship is not secured, your project may not be covered under the University's liability/indemnity policies. The process of research ethics at LJMU also covers LJMU Research Governance Approval. For projects exempt from LJMU ethics review, there are separate processes to obtain LJMU Research Governance Approval. To obtain LJMU research governance or sponsorship approval, please follow the guidance on the LJMU Research Ethics and Governance SharePoint.
Text description of the flow diagram to summarise the LJMU staff and PGR student requirements for research ethics and governance.
Step One: Is the Research or Knowledge Exchange Project or Collaboration led by LJMU staff or a Postgraduate Research (PGR) student? If yes, go to Step Three. If no, go to Step Two.
Step Two: Obtain LJMU Research Governance Approval.
Step Three: Is the project exempt from University Research Ethics Committee (UREC) review? If yes, go to Step Six. If no, go to Step Four.
Step Four: Obtain a favourable ethics opinion from UREC & LJMU Research Governance Approval and Continue to Step Five.
Step Five: Is HRA approval required? If Yes, go to Step Nine.
Step Six: Is LJMU Sponsorship required? If yes, go to Step Seven. If no, go to Step Eight.
Step Seven: Obtain LJMU Sponsorship and a favourable ethics opinion from the relevant Research Ethics Committee (REC).
Step Eight: Obtain LJMU research Governance Approval.
Step Nine: Obtain LJMU Sponsorship.
References
LJMU Research Ethics and Governance Standard Operating Procedures
LJMU Research Ethics and Governance SharePoint
LJMU REC and Terms of Reference
ESRC Research Ethics Framework
Contact the Research Ethics and Governance team
Dr Dave Harriss - Research Ethics and Governance Manager
Email: D.Harriss@ljmu.ac.uk
Extension: 6236
As part of Dave’s part-time role as Research Ethics and Governance Manager, he chairs the University Research Ethics Committee and manages the processes that help to ensure standards of research. Additionally, he also is a part time senior lecturer in the School of Sport and Exercise Science.
Mandy Williams - Research Support Officer
Email: A.F.Williams@ljmu.ac.uk
Extension: 6467
Mandy assists the Research Governance Manager in the implementation of Research Ethics across the University ensuring the safety, dignity and rights of research participants whilst providing assurance that research is being conducted within an ethical framework. Mandy is secretary to UREC, administrating applications for full, proportionate and minimal risk review and is involved in developing the training provision and roll out of an online ethical system.