Enhancing Research Through Ethical Review

Debate, discussion and deliberation characterised the first ‘Inside the Research Ethics Committee’ workshop which took place recently and attracted researchers from across the University.

Part of ACTivator, LJMU’s Researcher Development programme, the workshop gives researchers the chance to reflect on the value of the ethical review process and provides an opportunity to meet and debate ethical issues with members of the University Research Ethics Committee (UREC).

Significantly, attendees are themselves asked to act as an ethics committee by reviewing real LJMU ethics applications which have been previously gone through the review process and compare their findings with those reached by UREC.

The aim of the workshop is to help researchers see the value of giving careful consideration to ethical issues when designing and throughout their research activity.  Feedback on this first workshop was positive:

“It broke down the barriers and dismissed the negative perceptions of the research ethics application process.”

“It was so helpful to discuss real LJMU research ethics applications and to have University Research Ethics Committee members in the room giving their views on particular discussion points.”

“It was an interesting, interactive session and the small group discussion worked well alongside the case studies.”

Mel Jones, Researcher Development Lead and workshop facilitator, commented: "We wanted to give researchers the experience of acting as a research ethics committee, scrutinising research ethics applications to ensure that all ethical considerations are taken into account.  The session stimulated lots of heated but good natured debate which was great to see. Feedback indicated that people left with a better understanding of the value of the ethical review process and how it can contribute to the quality of research."

The next ‘Inside the Research Ethics Committee’ workshop takes place on Wednesday 1st May, Redmonds Building 10am-1pm and can be booked here: https://inside-the-ethics-committee-01052019.eventbrite.co.uk

If you have any questions about this, or other workshops, contact Mel Jones, Reseacher Develoment Lead: M.Jones1@ljmu.ac.uk