Research at Sheffield Hallam
Research ethics and standards
Research ethics issues have received increasing attention in recent years. Sheffield Hallam has a dedicated research ethics policy which is constantly reviewed to ensure that the highest of standards are met.
Some research at Sheffield Hallam involves the participation of volunteers, often sourced from the general public. Our ethics policy ensures that their interests are put first at all times and that researchers do everything possible to fully inform people who have consented to take part. Care is always taken to provide confidentiality and anonymity.
The Research Ethics Policy is also concerned with the quality of the research process. Maintaining the highest standards of integrity, impartiality and respect for data is essential. A risk assessment approach is encouraged to safeguard the physical and psychological wellbeing of participants and researchers.
The University's Research Ethics Committee is responsible for developing and implementing the policy. The Chair of this committee is Professor Ann Macaskill. Research project screening and record keeping are conducted by research ethics committees in the Faculties and their activity is closely monitored by the University committee.
Research involving the NHS is conducted in line with the NHS Research Governance Framework and this still applies to research that does not fit the traditional 'clinical' model or have an immediate health impact. It covers both staff and students undertaking research involving NHS
- patients
- staff
- data
- tissue samples
- premises
The University Research Ethics Committee is working to ensure that everyone is aware of ethics requirements and research continues to develop safely and legally within the new framework.
Links with health and safety
Procedures for ethics approval of research offer an opportunity to consider the effectiveness of the arrangements for managing health and safety risk. The formality of these arrangements is dependent on the hazards and risk, the competence of the researchers and their supervisors and the nature of the relevant legal obligations.
The benefits of reducing health and safety risk go beyond legal compliance, and include the protection of human, social, and economic assets. Increasingly, it is recognised that effective health and safety arrangements are likely to make a positive contribution to the research and strengthen partnerships. The key principles are that risks must be assessed in advance of any significant exposure to them, that control measures are fit-for-purpose, and that all aspects of the arrangements are subject to routine monitoring and review.
Download the research ethics policies and procedures
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Download the research ethics policy (PDF 43KB)
Download the research ethics procedures (PDF 291KB)
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