Updated guidance for all University researchers during COVID-19

October 2021

The Research Ethics Committee aims to provide guidance to all those involved in research activity at UoG. Whilst the Handbook of Principles and Procedures should form the basis of all research activity, during the current coronavirus pandemic, more specific guidance is required. 

REC recognises that difficult judgements need to be made in weighing up competing values and risks of harm but that a precautionary approach will limit the risk of harm to researchers and participants whilst still enabling good research to be conducted. 

On this basis, REC stipulates the following: 

• All researchers should follow the UK Government’s current COVID-19 regulations and the Government’s current guidance on conducting research. This also applies to researchers based outside the UK if they are conducting research in a UoG capacity unless the local advice is more restrictive and at a higher threshold, in which case any additional measures and restrictions should be followed. 
• Research should not take place using face-to-face methods if any other reasonable methods are feasible. 
• To assess whether other reasonable methods are feasible, discussion should take place with co-researchers / supervisors and School Research Ethics leads. The School Research Ethics lead will also be able to advise whether additional / further ethical approval at School or REC level is required. 
• If, following discussion with the School Research Ethics lead, face-to-face methods are necessary then researchers should carry out a Health and Safety Risk Assessment and submit this to the School Research Ethics Panel for approval along with a full ethics application if required. A useful document that provides further information about the risks of face-to-face interactions can be found in the BPS guidance for conducting research with human participants during COVID-19 
• If, after discussion with the School Research Ethics lead, there is still uncertainty around whether the research should be carried out face-to-face, the School Research Ethics lead should refer the case onto the University’s Research Ethics Committee for a decision from the Chair / Committee. 
• Researchers are reminded of the key ethical responsibility of all researchers (from the university’s Research Ethics Principles and Procedures Handbook): 
  
  2.1.1: The primary responsibility for the conduct of ethical research lies with the researcher. It is a fundamental principle that staff and students engaged in research adopt a continuing personal commitment to act ethically, to encourage ethical behaviour in those with whom they collaborate, and to consult where appropriate concerning ethical issues.

Dr Emily Ryall
REC Chair
October 2021