Research Ethics in the School of Education

Trinity College is now using a new Research Ethics Application Management System (REAMS) as its main platform for processing research ethics applications. All staff and students in the School of Education should submit their applications through REAMS.

All of the information including the link to start an application, is available on the REAMS website: https://www.tcd.ie/research/support/ethics-approval.php.

The application deadlines are: 

02/02/2023

02/03/2023

06/04/2023

04/05/2023

As the School adapts to this new system over the months ahead, the information on this page (which is now largely obsolete) will gradually be updated. The template documents at the bottom of the page are still invaluable for creating your application in REAMS but in general any guidance that is needed on ethics applications should be taken first and foremost from the REAMS website.

The School of Education is the site for a large number of research projects carried out by staff and students and is aware of the responsibilities and duties that such work involves. The School is committed to the conduct of high-quality research that is guided by the latest understandings of research ethics and their place in all research design. In its research activity, the School is committed to ethical principles that include:

• a commitment to the well-being, protection and safety of participants
• organisation of cultural and educational visits/exchanges with groups of school-going pupils and teachers, students, academics and visiting scholars
• a duty to respect the rights and wishes of participants
• an evaluation of the relative benefits of any research to groups and individuals
• a responsibility to conduct rigorous, academic research
• a commitment to disseminate the results of research in an honest and truthful manner to all who may be affected by the research or those who should be informed about the research

There are a number of concepts that all research in the School must address. These include:

• minimising risk of harm
• informed consent and freedom to withdraw
• avoidance of disclosure of non-processed data and anonymity
• data storage, access, retention and destruction
• awareness and recognition of power relations in asymmetrical educational relationships
• Some research in the School is also conducted with children and members of vulnerable groups and in these cases further ethical demands must be met.
  
  These include:
1. child protection principles
2. legal obligations and policy commitments in relation to children and members of vulnerable groups
3. an inclusive approach to research

In order to ensure the highest level of ethical research, the School has a University-approved Research Ethics Committee (REC). This is an ad hoc committee that comprises the Director of Research, and other academic staff members. This committee may also call upon the services of a lay member, or expert members in certain cases.

In the case of staff research that requires ethical approval, and where ethical approval has not been granted in another recognised institution or body, all such research must be approved by the School's REC. In the case of student research projects at all levels (undergraduate and postgraduate) it is the responsibility of the student to complete a Research Ethics Approval Application form in consultation with their supervisor and, following review by the supervisor, submit to the School's Research Ethics Committee.

*Garda Vetting for Researchers in the School of Education (See below)

The Procedure for Ethical Approval

Students are required to read carefully the guidance notes in the School of Education Research Ethics Committee (REC) code of practice. The code of practice, ethical approval application form, sample completed ethics applications and sample information and consent forms are available for download below.

The application for ethical approval form must be completed electronically, using as much space as needed to include all required information.

For student applications, the student must liaise with their supervisor in drafting the application to ensure that they are addressing all ethical issues adequately. The completed form MUST be checked and signed by the supervisor and the student prior to submission. Any unsigned forms will be returned. Electronic signatures are accepted but not typed names.

For all students, submissions are made through Blackboard following the instructions provided in the Research Ethics module ET7259. If you do not have access to this module on Blackboard, please contact [email protected].

All applications are reviewed by the School of Education's Research Ethics Committee according to their code of practice.

If an application is unsuccessful, required changes will be outlined for the applicant in a timely manner. For all students, feedback will be provided through Blackboard. Staff applications should be submitted to [email protected]. Feedback will be provided by email.

All appeals will be conducted in line with the code of practice.

All modifications which require ethics approval must be submitted to the REC and approved prior to implementation as specified in the code of practice. Annual reporting to REPC is standard procedure.

All modifications which require ethics approval must be submitted to the REC and approved prior to implementation. Annual reporting to REPC is standard procedure.

End of project reporting is mandatory for all students, who are required to complete the form below.

Relevant documents, templates and sample documents are available to download below:

The School of Education Research Ethics Committee also considers applications for ethical approval for School staff research and will also consider, in individual cases, applications for ethical approval for research projects in other Schools in the Faculty which do not have an Ethics Committee. Questions concerning the ethical conduct of research in the School of Education can be addressed to the Director of Research, School of Education, Trinity College Dublin.