Ethics committee

The purpose of these webpages is to provide guidelines to individuals who may be undertaking research activities within the School of Medicine, Keele University. Download the S-SPEC flowchart decision tree flowchart describing the ethical application route. Any projects proposing to use human tissues should contact research.humantissue@keele.ac.uk for advice.

Applicants

Students (undergraduate or postgraduate taught, e.g. MMedEd) wishing to carry out a research project with the School of Medicine must first gain approval from S-SPEC using the guidance provided here.

Staff wishing to carry out a research project should apply to the ERP on central campus. The S-SPEC chair should be informed of any project that proposes to involve medical students so that we can advise on ‘access’ arrangements with the relevant year lead.

External applicants (to the School of Medicine or Keele University) that wish to recruit medical students as part of their research project should contact the S-SPEC chair for advice on who to contact to discuss ‘access’ arrangements. A copy of ethical approval from a relevant body would be required.

Guidelines for S-SPEC applicants

All applicants should read the S-SPEC application guidelines and complete the application form. This form should be submitted, together with the relevant supporting documents to S-SPEC via s-spec@keele.ac.uk. Typically the application will include:

• The application form
• Lay summary
• Participant information and consent forms
• Peer review
• Any other relevant documentation for the project (e.g. master’s project proposal form, questionnaires, interview schedules)

S-SPEC must be satisfied that the aims, design and analysis of the project reach an acceptable scientific standard. Projects will require independent peer review by a staff member who is not directly involved in the research project. This must be completed before any application for ethical review, and applicants should allow time for this in their project planning.

Please allow up to four weeks (20 working days) from submission of your application to get a committee response. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure full approval has been received before any research investigations commence.

Documents available to download

• S-SPEC Application Form
• S-SPEC peer review proforma
• S-SPEC masters dissertation proposal form
• S-SPEC information and consent form
• S-SPEC application guidelines
• S-SPEC terms of reference

Contacts

Dr Sarah Harrisson
Chair of School of Medicine Student Project Ethics Committee
Keele University
Staffs ST5 5BG
Email: s.a.harrisson@keele.ac.uk