Dissertations and research projects

Ethical approval

Securing ethical approval for your project is a key step in the research process and must be in place before you begin collecting data. Research ethics are a set of rules and criteria that your research project must adhere to in order to protect the welfare of your participants and to ensure the integrity of your data and results. Although it is easy to see ethical approval as a barrier to the research process, it is an important process that encourages you to recognise how your research may impact the welfare and privacy of those involved.

Visit the University’s Ethics and Integrity webpages for information and guidance on Sheffield Hallam’s research ethics policy and ethical approval.  There you can find a series of templates and forms to use during your research including participant information sheets, participant consent forms and documents related to risk assessment. As well as securing ethical approval from the University’s ethics committee, you will also need to think about how you will ensure the data you collect remains private and confidential, and that your participants are fully informed and consent to the terms of your research. 

Check with your supervisor which forms are required as some departments have their own versions of the generic forms above. Aim to start the process early – many projects are delayed while researchers wait for ethical approval; the Student Ethics checklist is a good supporting document to use when planning this aspect of your research.