All research, except for those exclusively based on publicly available secondary data and published literature, requires ethical review.
Whilst normally this review is done on a projectbyproject basis, it is recognised that for UG/PGT level (BA, BSc, MA, MSc) there are occasions where students may complete very similar or identical projects that are low-risk. In such cases, it may be proportionate to approve research at a programme or module level, rather than individually for each student, for instance based on a consistency in research processes and methods.
Read more: Block Ethics Approval: Taught students only
Block Approval is not judged appropriate for standard year long Dissertation Modules. Block approval may be suitable for dissertations in programmes which are delivering Dissertations in ED2030 Block teaching but please see section below on ED2030 teaching and then speak to the FREC in the first instance to discuss.
In the first instance, the module leader or the programme leader should have a discussion with the FREC to determine if the study meets the criteria for Exceptional Block Approval.
If the project is deemed suitable for block approval, all documentation must be included with the application, including the completed block approval form, the participant facing materials (if appropriate) and all the data collection tools as they plan to be used. We cannot approve applications for Block approval where the materials will be developed during the project. Any block approval applications require provision annually of all the students who have completed projects under the block approval- these must be submitted as an amendment to your block approval application on Worktribe via the amendments process. Approval of this amendment will indicate FREC approval of your data submission. The form for submission is at the back of the block approval form.
Exceptional Block Approval Applications must be submitted by the module leader or programme leader via the Worktribe System. Please note, you must not submit block approval applications for module level Worktribe approval, they must be assigned to the HLS Ethics officer group for approval via the FREC.
module, exceptional, block approval,