# Roadmap for Ethical Approval

This roadmap outlines the steps for obtaining ethical approval for your project, based on the "Legal and Ethical Issues" presentation.

## Phase 1: Proposal Approval

1.  **Complete Your Project Proposal**: Before starting the ethical approval process, your main project proposal must be finalized and approved.

## Phase 2: Determine Research Type

1.  **Assess Human Involvement**: The next step is to determine whether your research will involve human participants. This includes activities like:
    *   Surveys or questionnaires
    *   Interviews
    *   Observing behavior
    *   User testing

## Phase 3: Follow the Correct Approval Path

### Path A: Research **DOES NOT** Involve Human Participants

If your project only uses existing datasets, literature, or other non-human subjects:

1.  **Complete Internal Form (Short)**: Fill out the first five questions of the internal approval form on Moodle.
2.  **Submit**: Submit the form.
3.  **Process Complete**: Your ethical approval process is now complete.

### Path B: Research **DOES** Involve Human Participants

If your project involves human participants in any way:

1.  **Complete Internal Form (Full)**: Answer all the questions in the internal approval process on Moodle.
2.  **Review Your Answers**:
    *   If you answered **YES** to all the initial screening questions, your project likely falls under the standard internal approval route.
    *   If you answered **NO** to any of the key screening questions, you must proceed to the next phase.

## Phase 4: Escalation to Full Ethical Review

This phase is necessary if your project does not meet the criteria for the simplified internal approval.

1.  **Consult Your Supervisor**: Immediately discuss the situation with your supervisor to explore your options.
2.  **Consider Modifications**: Determine if you can adjust your research methodology to fit the internal approval process.
    *   If **yes**, return to Phase 3 and update your application.
    *   If **no**, you must complete a full ethical approval application.
3.  **Complete "Form B"**:
    *   Download and fill out the "Ethical Approval Form B".
    *   This form requires detailed information about your research methods, participant recruitment, data management, and risk mitigation.
4.  **Get Signatures**:
    *   You must sign the form.
    *   Your supervisor must also review and sign the form.
5.  **Submit Form B**: Send the completed and signed form to the Module Leader.

## Key Deadlines & Reminders

*   **First Submission Deadline**: 30th November 2025
*   **Location**: Forms and submission portals are on Moodle.
*   **Supervisor Approval**: No application will be considered without the explicit approval and signature of your supervisor.
*   **Data Protection**: If you handle any personal data, you must comply with the Data Protection Act 2018. This includes secure storage and timely deletion of data.
*   **Informed Consent**: You must obtain signed consent from all research participants before they take part in your study. Consent form templates are available on Moodle.