You should only start the data collection or recruit participants after you have received a favourable response from the lead advisor.
This may include comments or additional requirements you should complete. These are intended to improve the quality and ethical standards of your project.
You will be told if you can proceed with the project from an ethical standpoint or whether you should do further work first. The response you receive will be in line with the outcomes explained below.
Possible outcomes
No amendments, favourable opinion is given
You can begin collecting data once all governance and ethical requirements are met, such as:
- information governance and communications requirements
- permissions from function areas
- safeguarding training
- lone worker policy compliance
Minor amendments, favourable opinion on condition amendments is made
Sponsors should oversee the required amendments being made. Data collection can be started once amendments have been made and all governance and ethical conditions have been met such as:
- information governance
- permissions from function areas
- safeguarding training
- lone worker policy compliance
Major amendments, unfavourable opinion is given
Do not start any data collection until you're advised that you can. Your plan and supporting documents will need amendments and sign-off or review.
You will be provided with an advisor to support you to improve your plan and supporting documents.
Sponsors should oversee that amendments have been made.
You can submit your plan by emailing research@essex.gov.uk. Standard timescales will apply.
Refused, unfavourable opinion is given
Unfavourable opinion is given (this is rare), do not start any data collection.
You will be provided with the reasons why it has been refused. This will be due to serious ethical issues such as:
- safety risks that cannot be mitigated
- legal risks
- advice which is not being taken on board
Appeal
You can appeal against the outcome. You should discuss this with the project sponsor before doing so.
You should:
- carefully review the comments you received about why your project has been refused and take these reasons into account when starting the appeal
- agree with the project sponsor your reasons for appealing the decision
To appeal, send an email with the subject line 'APPEAL [project title] [Our project reference number]' to research@essex.gov.uk. You will need to outline the reasons why your project should be reconsidered. We will find someone to independently review the project.
Timescales
A response will be provided within the timescales outlined in our Research Ethics Panel terms of reference (DOCX, 83KB), current capacity allowing.
Should your waiting time be exceeded, you can email research@essex.gov.uk to ask for an update. For high and medium complexity, you will receive a letter. For low complexity, this is available upon request.