“Ethics is central to everything we do whether in research or practice.”
The British Psychological Society
Research in Psychology can yield important findings for the understanding of the mental processes, human experience, social interaction and contribute to shaping healthier and better societies. Ethics are an essential part of the research process, and ethics reviews & approval of planned research studies enable mutual respect, effective communication, and trustworthiness between researchers, participants and other related stakeholders (e.g., funding bodies).
Finally, research findings are meaningless and questionable if research ethics guidelines are not followed, reminding us that good research, is also ethical research.
Our department expects that all research undertaken by staff or students to abide by the University of York Code of Practice and principles for Good Ethical Governance, the Code of Practice on Research Integrity, and the British Psychological Society Code of Human Research Ethics
CITY College’s main guiding principle for research with humans and personal data is to avoid any harm or distress to any individual directly or indirectly involved in the research activity. This guiding principle can be expanded into three further principles: 1. Respect for the participant’s dignity, rights, safety and well-being. 2. Respect for the safety and well-being of those carrying out the research. 3. Consideration of the impact of the research activity on the wider society, and the natural environment. Please download the CITY College Ethics in Research Policy for more details.
Additional Guidance on the interpretation of these principles can be sought in the following sources:
Research conducted outside Greece should take into consideration political, social and cultural sensitivities, and should as well comply with the statutory and regulatory requirements of the country/countries in question.
As social media have now become a necessary communication and research tool, York University provides Social Media Guidance for Researchers here and the BPS here.
To apply for Ethics approval you need to follow these steps:
1. Download CITY College Ethics Application Form, and any other relevant ethics document (e.g., information & consent forms).
2. Discuss with your supervisor in order to finalise the Ethics Application Form and complete all relevant documentations.
3. Once your supervisor has signed the CITY College Supervisor Approval Form, you submit your application and the relevant additional documentation.
The next steps taken by the Department are:
4. Your Ethics Application will be then reviewed by the department, and one of the following decisions will be communicated to you by the departmental Ethics Coordinator:
4.1. Approved: Nothing to do. Proceed with your project.
4.2. Compulsory Changes: You will have to revise your Application with the help of your supervisor, edit your original submission and re-submit (step 2 and 3 above).
4.3. Not Approved. In the rare event of your Research Project not being approved on ethics grounds, you will have to design a new study and submit a new Ethics Application Form (following steps 2 and 3).
The department will do its best to timely communicate to you the Ethics review decision, on average within 10 working days. However, delays can occur if a research ethics application form is not fully completed, if the ethics reviewers request more information or if an application is judged contentious. Finally, we would like to note that the department has the following specific fixed periods for Ethics application submissions: 1st – 15th December; 31st January – 27th February; 15th May – 15th June. Therefore, we strongly advise you to plan for Ethics submission well in advance.
Notice that failing to obtain Ethics approval before commencing any Research Project involving Human participants or/and personal data will constitute a breach of CITY College Ethics Policy, and it will be dealt with under CITY College Policy for malpractice, impropriety or wrongdoing, and CITY College, University of York Europe Campus, Regulations.
Download CITY College templates for additional Ethics application documents such as those relating to participants information and consent, debriefing and accessibility letter.
Special consideration should be given to research involving vulnerable groups, sensitive topics or deception. Potentially vulnerable groups may include, but are not limited to, children people with learning disabilities or with mental impairment due to health or lifestyle, ex-prisoners, migrants & ethnic minorities, and those unable to consent or understand the research. Potentially sensitive topics might include political views, sexual orientation, religion, trade union membership, drug use, etc.
The Department's Research Ethics Committee oversees the ethics procedures across all degree programmes for both students and staff. The Ethics for Research Coordinator, Research Project Coordinator (Dr Aristea Ladas: arladas
The CITY College Ethics in Research Policy that requires that all research involving human participants and personal data should be reviewed, and research ethics approval obtained, before any data collection commences.
The University provides Contingency Advice for Staff regarding matters of research and research-related activity. Relevant guidance on conducting research during the pandemic is also provided by the British Psychological Society and especially with human participants.