Research Ethics
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Ethical review required?
Use the “Does a project require ethical?” decision tool to help guide your decision. Note: School RECs may require ethical review (or minimal ethical issues registration) on undergraduate or postgraduate taught (PGT) student projects irrespective of the outcome of the “Does a project require ethical review?” decision tool.
Research ethics training
LJMU research ethics training is mandatory for postgraduate research (PGR) students and optional for staff applying to UREC. School RECs may mandate LJMU research ethics training for LJMU undergraduate and PGT students.
Where and how to apply for ethical review
- Staff & PGR student projects: An ethics application is submitted to the University Research Ethics Committee (UREC). Visit the UREC webpage for instructions.
- Undergraduate & PGT projects. An ethics application is submitted to the relevant School REC. Visit the School REC webpage for contact details.
Some projects must be reviewed by an external REC and are therefore exempt from UREC or School REC review. For example, NHS/HSC REC review is required for research involving NHS/HSC patients or service users. MODREC review is required for Ministry of Defence-related research. Projects requiring NHS/HSC REC or MODREC review must also obtain LJMU sponsorship.
Please note:
Research involving NHS staff, NHS facilities or NHS data (but not patients or service users), must be reviewed by UREC review and not an NHS/HSC REC. However, LJMU sponsorship is still required via the IRAS system. For full details, refer to the LJMU Research Ethics and Governance Standard Operating Procedures.
The process for ethics review for LJMU staff and PGR students projects is summarised in the flow diagram below:
Text description of the flow diagram to summarise process of UREC review.
Step 1. LJMU staff/PGR led research/knowledge exchange project/collaboration? If yes, go to step 2.
Step 2. Is ethical review required? If yes, go to step 3.
Step 3. Complete the LJMU Research Ethics Training (mandatory for PGR students). Continue to step 4.
Step 4. Is the project exempt from UREC review? If yes, go to step 5. If no, go to step 7.
Step 5. Is LJMU Sponsorship required? If yes, go to step 6.
Step 6. Submit the LJMU sponsorship application and submit the IRAS/MODREC form.
Step 7. Complete the UREC ethics application form and submit the LJMU Research Ethics and Governance Decision Tool.
