University Policy and Procedures
University Research Ethics Policy and Procedures
The Research ethics policy applies to all staff and students conducting research under the auspices of the University.
The University requires that all research which involves human participants, human material, personal data, animals, or research which may have an impact on the environment, must receive research ethics approval before it commences.
All Staff and Students at the University should be guided by the following Principles:
- Research should aim to maximise the benefits for individuals and society and minimise the potential risk and harm. All potential risks and harm should be mitigated by robust precautions and all participants involved must be warned before participating.
- Where possible, all participants in research must take part voluntarily, free from any coercion or undue influence, and their rights, dignity, and autonomy should be respected and appropriately protected.
- The confidentiality of the information supplied by research participants and the anonymity of respondents must be respected. Wherever possible, data should be anonymised and there should be full compliance with the principles of the Data Protection Act 2018. Personal data can only be disclosed when permission to disclose is part of the consent procedure.
- Independence of research should be maintained and where conflicts of interest cannot be avoided, they should be made explicit.
- Research should be designed, reviewed, and undertaken to ensure recognised standards of integrity are met, and quality and transparency are assured.
- The research must conform to all relevant statutory requirements, and to the requirements of the institution in which the research is undertaken.
University Procedures
The University has a number of procedures that should be read alongside the University Research Ethics Policy.
Research Conducted Outside the UK
Any research being conducted outside the UK, including EU and EEA countries, should where possible first secure research ethics approval from a local in-country research ethics committee before applying for Wrexham University Research Ethics approval.
This is because the view of what are ethically acceptable research methodologies depends on the cultural, political, and regulatory environment of the location in which the research is conducted. Ethical considerations of research, how we conceptualise the notions of individual rights in research, and the political and cultural sensitives within research vary across the world.
- University Research Ethics Approval procedure for Research Conducted outside the UK
- World Health Organisation list of International Research Ethics Committees
- The Office for Human Research Protections list annually of over 1,000 laws, regulations, and guidelines on human subject protections in over 100 countries.
- Guidance on completing a research ethics application for an overseas project
Research carried out with Animals
In the UK, the Animals Scientific Procedures Act 1986 (ASPA) regulates any experimentation or scientific procedure on a protected animal which may have an effect of causing the animal pain, suffering, distress, or lasting harm. Three licences are required by ASPA before any work with animals regulated under the act can commence and an Institutional Animal Welfare and Ethical Review Body (AWREB) must be in place; the three Home Office licences required are as followed:
- personal licence for each person carrying out procedures on animals
- project licence for the programme of work
- establishment licence for the place at which the work is carried out.
It is an offence under ASPA to carry out regulated procedures on a protected animal unless authorised by a personal licence, a project licence, and an establishment licence.
Wrexham University does not hold an establishment licence or have an AWERB in place; the majority of research on animals performed by our researchers and students involves observations in their natural environment.
- Research Ethics Procedure for work carried out with Animals
- Replacement, Reduction and Refinement
- ASPA Guidance
Potential Adverse Environmental Impact
In accordance with the University’s Research Ethics Policy, any research which has the potential for adverse environmental impact must be subject to review and approval from the relevant University research ethics committee. Research which involves adverse environmental impact can be defined as a change or activity which results in an adverse effect on the air, land, water, or inhabitants of an ecosystem. Both short-term and long-term effects are considered an environmental impact. If a researcher is unsure if the proposed research requires research ethics approval, they should seek advice from the Research Office rescadmin@glyndwr.ac.uk.
- Potential Adverse Environmental Impact Research Ethics Procedure
- University Sustainability Procedures
- Legislation Update Service
Work Carried out with Human Remains
‘Human Remains’ are defined as any full or partial human skeletons or biological material samples retained by museums and collections, or which emerge as a result of archaeological and other investigations, which are over 100 years old. Research being conducted under the auspices of Wrexham University which involves the handling, destructive analysis, or digital imaging of human remains must receive ethical approval before the research commences.
- Research Ethics Procedure for work carried out with Human Remains
- BABAO Code of Ethics
- BABAO guidance on digital imaging
- Guidance for Best Practice for the Treatment of Human Remains Excavated from Christian Burial Grounds in England
- Guidance for the Care of Human Remains in Museums
Reporting of Adverse Events on studies approved by Wrexham University Research Ethics Committee
The University acknowledges that certain studies involving human participants or personal data carry a risk of adverse events occurring. Legislation and governance frameworks exist to ensure that assessment, monitoring, and reporting of adverse events are clearly defined in order to prevent and mitigate adverse events and promote and protect participant safety. The University defines an adverse event (AE) as an untoward occurrence during a research study that led to or could have led to an unintended or unexpected harm, loss, or damage. The Principal Investigator or Supervisor should inform the University Research Ethics Committee within 10 days of an adverse incident occurring.
