University Research Ethics Committee
FACULTY/DEPARTMENTAL SUB-COMMITTEES
Application for Ethics Review of Undergraduate and
Taught Postgraduate Programme
Dissertations/Projects
For student dissertations/projects that involve
human participants, their tissue and/or their data
Section 1: Self-Certification (For Supervisor Use Only)
tick () as appropriate
Yes
No
Have you received University Training in Research
Ethics?
Will the project involve only healthy adult participants
completing a questionnaire or participating in an interview
/ discussion group on a non-sensitive subject?
If your answer to both questions above is ‘YES’ then you may
be able to ’ Self-Certify’ this research.
If your answer to either question above is ‘NO’ then you cannot
‘Self-Certify’ this research.
This application is for an undergraduate project.
This application is for an MSc/MA project.
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Section 2: Project Details (To Be Completed by Student)
Faculty/Department
Project Title
Name of Supervisor
Supervisor’s email
address
Name of student
Project Start Date

Insert the date when
you expect to start data
collection
Project End Date

Insert the submission
deadline for your final
Dissertation/Project
Report
Project Aims

Provide a brief
summary of your
research topic and the
aims of your study
(max. 150 words).
Please make sure that this
section is written so that nonexperts in your academic
discipline can understand what
your project is about.
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Project Description

Describe the methods
you will use in your
study including study
material and task(s).
Attach questionnaires and/or
examples of any other material
to this form so that the Ethics
Committee can see what your
participants will be requested to
work on.




Describe your
participant sample
including any
inclusion/exclusion
criteria.
Describe how and
where you are going to
recruit your participants.
If your project is likely to
raise any ethical issues
or requires any
particular ethical
considerations, state
here what they are and
how you are going to
deal with them.
Provide an explanation
here if the study title on
your participant
information leaflet and
consent form is different
from the project title on
this ethics application
form.
Where will the project
take place?
State where data collection will
take place.
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Gatekeeper’s
permission?
tick () as appropriate
If data collection takes place off
campus, e.g., in schools, public
buildings or business premises,
you may need gatekeeper’s
permission.
 Not applicable
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 I confirm that written gatekeeper’s permission will be
obtained.
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Section 3: Project & Participant Information (To Be Completed by Supervisor &
Student)
tick () as appropriate
Yes
No
Will the project use human cells, tissues or fluids?
If the answer is ‘Yes’ you will need to consider the ‘Human Tissue
Act’.
Will the project use live animals, animal cells, tissues or
fluids?
If the answer is ‘Yes’ you will need to consider the ‘Scientific
Procedures Act’.
Will the project genetically modify cells?
If the answer is ‘Yes’ you will need to consider the Safety
Regulations in this area of work.
Will the project involve any other methodologies than
questionnaires, interviews or focus groups?
If the answer is ‘Yes’ you will need to obtain UoS
faculty/departmental research ethics subcommittee approval.
Does the project address any sensitive topics?
If the answer is ‘Yes’ you will need to obtain UoS
faculty/departmental research ethics subcommittee approval.
Will all research participants be ‘healthy’ adults?
If the answer is ‘No’ you will need to obtain UoS faculty/departmental
research ethics subcommittee approval.
Will the project involve participants under the age of 16
yrs?
If the answer is ‘Yes’ you will need to obtain UoS
faculty/departmental research ethics subcommittee approval.
Will any of the participants be classified as vulnerable
adults?
If the answer is ‘Yes’ you will need to obtain UoS
faculty/departmental research ethics subcommittee approval.
Will participants be likely to lack mental capacity to
consent to taking part in the project?
If the answer is ‘Yes’ you may also need ethical review from an NHS
research ethics committee.
Will any of the participants be NHS patients?
If the answer is ‘Yes’ you may also need ethical review from an NHS
research ethics committee.
Will any of the participants undergo an invasive
procedure?
If the answer is ‘Yes’ you may also need ethical review from an NHS
research ethics committee.
Will data collection take place via the internet?
If the answer is ‘Yes’ you should conduct your study in compliance
with the British Psychological Society (2013). Ethics Guidelines for
Internet-mediated Research.
http://www.bps.org.uk/system/files/Public%20files/inf206-guidelines-forinternet-mediated-research.pdf
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Yes
No
I confirm that I have considered the professional research
ethics code relevant to my academic discipline.
Please insert title of the document below
……………………………………………………………………….
I confirm that I shall conduct my study in compliance with
the professional ‘Ethics Code’ named above and the
‘University of Sunderland Research Ethics Principles’
http://www.sunderland.ac.uk/images/Research%20Ethics%20Principles.pdf
I have attached copies of


Participant Information Leaflet
Study Material
e.g., questionnaires, examples of interview themes, sample
questions of a self-developed questionnaire, examples of any
material presented to participants

Consent Form(s)
If applicable
Student’s signature:
Date:
Supervisor’s signature:
Date:
Important to Note:
 Applications must be submitted electronically by
project supervisors.
o Details and deadlines for submission can be obtained from
the University Research Ethics Committee web site
www.sunderland.ac.uk/research/researchservices/governanc
e/researchethics/#d.en.51507
 Students are not allowed to start data collection
before ethics approval has been obtained.
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