Frequently Asked Questions

What research is covered by the Faculty Ethics Committee?

Research for the undergraduate, masters and Psych D courses.

What do I need to do as a member of staff undertaking research?

You will need to apply to the University Ethics Committee for an opinion if this is appropriate

When I supervise a student/trainee project what do I need to do about an ethical opinion?

The responsibility lies with you to opt in to a formal ethical process if you consider this necessary. This could be an external ethical committee such as the NHS, the University Committee or the Faculty committee.

What criteria informs me about which route to take?

Basically, if you are supervising a desk study, secondary analysis or a meta analysis you normally are exempt from seeking a formal ethical approval. If the study involves a group such as patients or prisoners you are likely to require the appropriate external committee and a parallel application to University of Surrey ethics committee. If the study involves primary data collection and where deception is part of the research design, sampling involves vulnerable participants, payment to participants or samples are drawn from staff associated with the investigators, if there are any foreseeable risks to the participants or investigator or there are any questions arising from the anonymity or confidentiality of participants the default is to seek an ethical opinions from the Faculty ethics committee.

How do I submit the research proposal to FAHS EC?

Complete the FAHS EC this form (available on the documents page) and submit to Julie Earl in the Faculty office (J.Earl@surrey.ac.uk)

If the research has received a FAHS ethical opinion and the student changes their procedure or topic, do I need to submit an updated or new form?

As the supervisor, it is your judgement that dictates what constitutes a significant change to the original proposal that warrants a resubmission. If the topic changes entirely, then yes a new form needs to be submitted.

If students are collecting data as part of a lab class do I need to fill in a FAHS ethics form?

Normally no unless the data you are collecting is dealing with a sensitive topic which may require some follow up if participants experience any discomfort, or if the potential respondents are a vulnerable group such as children.

As a supervisor, what are my responsibilities?

Dean of Faculty and Heads of Departments are responsible for teaching and research carried out within their Faculty/departments and under the supervision of their staff. It is the responsibility of all supervisors to ensure any student involved as researchers or in conducting experiments are aware of the Faculty’s ethical guidelines and that these guidelines are observed.
The generation of the research topic , soundness of the research design and management of the student during the period that the research is conducted as primarily the responsibility of the supervisor. The supervisor in consultation with the student also makes the decision whether to seek a formal ethical opinion.
There is a checklist on this site to provide an aide memoire for completion of a satisfactory research proposal.

What happens if I want the Faculty Ethics Committee to consider a research proposal?

The proposal must be completed on documentation at:

(http://portal.surrey.ac.uk/registry/ethics) and sent to Choi Tsang (C.Tsang @surrey.ac.uk)

When can I submit my application?

The completed application and 4 copies (keeping 1 copy for yourself) should be submitted to Julie Earl in the Faculty Office. These will then be circulated to members of the Ethics Committee for their response. Unless serious concerns are expressed, the Committee does not meet to discuss the application. Returned comments are collated and included in a letter from the Chair, Dr Adrian Coyle. If conditions for approval are required, the amended application (with guidance from the supervisor) should be resubmitted to Julie Earl. Dr Coyle will normally take ‘Chair’s Action’ on consideration of the amended documentation.

What contact details should be included in my application?

Please supply University contact details only. No personal phone numbers (including mobiles) or addresses should be given out.