Appendix for UNIMAS Research Policy

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Appendix 7: Ethics Review Checklist for Researchers
(Sourced from the London School of Economics and Political Science www.lse.ac.uk/collections/researchAndProjectDevelopmentDivision/pdf/researchEthicsGuidanceNotes.pdf )

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Researchers are requested to consider the following questions to assist them in preparing research proposals involving human participants, personal and/or medical data. While not all these questions may be relevant to all research, nonetheless these questions provide indicators to aid researchers thinking about the ethical dimensions of their research.


Consideration of risks to research participants versus benefits need to be weighed up by researchers. The likely impact of research data collection methods upon human participants needs to be considered carefully. Certain groups are vulnerable, or will be placed in vulnerable position in relation to research, and may succumb to pressure; e.g. children or people with learning disabilities, or students when they are participating in research as students. As well, some participants will have diminished capacity to give consent and are therefore less able to protect themselves and require specific consideration.


Ethics Review

1. Is the research method justified?

1.1 If the proposed research method involves vulnerable groups, can the information sought be obtained by other means?



2. Has the study been properly designed?

2.1 Has the objective(s) of the research been made clear to participants?

2.2 What arrangements have been made for ensuring that the proposed research will be conducted and reported appropriately?



3. Are there any implications arising from the source of sponsorship for the research?

3.1 Have any incentives to the researcher been declared?

3.2 Are there any restrictions on the freedom of the researcher(s) to publish the results of the research?



4. What are the implications of the research for the participants?

4.1 What arrangements have been made to preserve confidentiality for participants?

4.2 Are any incentives being offered to participants?

4.3 Are there any problems associated with a participant’s ability to give informed consent?



5. What arrangements have been made for seeking the cooperation of those who may be involved in the research?

5.1 Has the research been discussed or are there plans to discuss the research with those likely to be involved, including potential participants or those who may represent their views?

5.2 Has information (written and oral) about the research been prepared in appropriate form and language for potential participants? Will it be offered at the appropriate time?

5.3 Will potential participants be asked to give informed consent in writing? Will they be asked to confirm that they have received and read the information about the research?

5.4 Will potential participants be reassured that there will be no adverse consequences of a decision to participate, not to participate or to withdraw during the course of the research?

5.5 Has provision been made to respond to queries and problems raised by participants during the course of the research?



6. Dissemination

6.1 Will the results of the study be offered to those participants who wish to receive them?