Make sure you complete all four (4) parts of the research proposal and ethical approval form.
Section 1 Research Proposal
Research Proposal Summary
Address the following questions in sufficient detail:
What have you chosen to research?
Why did you choose to research this topic (your rationale)?
Give a brief description of your proposed project and discuss your aims.
Research questions
Key literature
Discuss the main body of literature and theory that you are going to apply to your research. Remember to use UoEO Harvard referencing.
Sample group and place of research
Discuss how you intend to choose your participants with reference to research methods theory.
Where is the research going to take place?
Methodology
What approach are you intending to take in your research and why?
What research methods/procedures do you intend to use and why?
How do your methods/procedures address your research questions?
Do you foresee any problems/issues with your data collection?
Remember to reference the research methods literature in discussing your choices.
Section 2 Ethical approval
Use the following headings to describe and discuss how you intend to deal with ethical issues in relation to your research.
You should consult the relevant version of the BERA guidelines and any university guidelines to help you to do this. Acknowledge how you propose to address the issues if your research or part of your research is going to take place online.
Consent
How do you intend to seek informed consent from participants?
Right to withdraw
How do you intend to inform participants of their right to withdraw?
Confidentiality
How do you intend to maintain confidentiality?
Harm
How do you intend to protect participants from harm?
Data access, storage and security
Confirm that all personal data will be stored and processed in compliance with the General Data Protection Registration (GDPR).
Describe the arrangements for storing and maintaining the security of any personal data collected as part of the project.
Other issues
Identify any specific ethical issues relating to this research, for example if your research involves vulnerable groups like young children, or pupils who have SEND (special educational needs/disability).
Section 3 Risk Assessment
Are there any potential risks, for example physical, psychological, social, legal or economic, to participants or subjects associated with the proposed research?
YES / NO
Provide full details of the potential risks and explain what risk management procedures will be put in place to minimise the risks:
Are there any potential risks to researchers as a consequence of undertaking this proposal?
YES / NO
Provide details and explain what risk management procedures will be put in place to minimise this.
Are there any potential reputational risks to the University of Essex Online as a consequence of undertaking this proposal?
YES / NO
Provide full details and explain what risk management procedures will be put in place to minimise this.
Will the research involve individuals below the age of 18 or individuals of 18 years and over with a limited capacity to give informed consent?
YES / NO
(If yes, a Disclosure and Barring Service disclosure (DBS check) may be required. Attach as part of your application). Give further details of participants below.
Are there any other ethical issues that have not been addressed, which you would wish to bring to our attention?
YES / NO
