Research Project Ethics

The notes below are designed to assist you with completing the more detailed parts of the CU Ethics form. They contain suggestions and advice on how you may like to go about constructing and developing your answers. They are merely a starting point and for further assistance it is recommended that you talk with your supervisor, APT, or a tutor. An approximate word or character count is given in each box in order to provide a guide as to how full your answers need to be.

PROJECT SUMMARY

Project Title:

Your title should be no more than 15 words. It can be in the form of a statement or a question. If it is a question, try to make it an open-ended one (not a closed question which elicits a yes/no answer).

Brief Project Summary:

This should include your rationale for your project:

·         Why is it important and relevant now?

·         What you aim to argue (including any research questions you are looking into)?

·         A summary of your major themes / subtopics; and how you will go about your research (methodology).

·         If you make any claims about the importance/significance of your project please support with evidence and citations. For example, think about finding a verifiable and credible statistic that will lend weight to your argument. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is a good starting point.

1.       Project Details - What are the aims and objectives of the project?

Here, please outline your research questions and/or what you are aiming to achieve with this project. Think about having a central aim and then some objectives that will lead you to achieving that aim, quantifiable steps in the process. Remember to make the objectives SMART (three-four objectives is usually the norm). Think about using bullet points with command verbs followed by nouns. Possible responses could include the following:

• To determine… reliability…
• To examine… feasibility …
• To define… functionality …
• To construct…
• To develop…
• To produce…
• To analyse… stability…
• To (critically) appraise…
• To (critically) evaluate…

2.       Project Details - Explain your Research Design

What is ‘Primary Research’?

“Primary research is any type of research that you collect yourself. Examples include surveys, interviews, observations, and ethnographic research.” (Purdue 2020)

You need to consider what approach you will take. Most dissertations are usually based on qualitative or quantitative approaches, or a combination of both - mixed methods.

What do we mean by ‘qualitative’?

Expressed in words describing attitudes, feelings, opinions, customs and beliefs (It cannot be converted into numerical form).

What do we mean by ‘quantitative’?

Measurable empirical data expressed in numbers (The situation or event must be capable of being expressed in numbers).

This is where you will explain how you aim to answer your research questions / address your aims. What types of data will you need to access?

• Qualitative data from secondary sources?
• Quantitative data from secondary research?
• A combination of these?

Please make sure you address why you have made that choice.

It is highly likely that you will be analysing a mixture of both qualitative and quantitative data that has been gathered in previous research.

Your research design should also address what your research strategies are.

• How are you filtering information? Why have you selected this specific information over other areas within the same field?
• What are your key search terms? Included search terms and excluded search terms. A list here would be appropriate.

For example: Inclusion key search terms: risky play, outdoor play, …

What terms or ideas are you purposely leaving out? Why? (not mandatory) Exclusion key search terms: adolescents, classroom-based, indoor play …

3.       Project Details - Outline the principle methods you will use

Here please give an overview of the types of sources you will use.

Consider the physical methods you will employ. It is better to overestimate the resources you will need than to provide a minimal list.

What journals/books/websites are of primary interest to you? Why? Please include a mini reference list of preliminary research in CU Harvard format.

For example:

Administration for Children and Families (2012) Promoting social and emotional well-being for children and youth receiving child welfare services. [online] available from https://www.acf.hhs.gov/ [19 March 2019]

Bazalgette, L., Rahilly, T. and Trevelyan, G. (2015) Achieving emotional wellbeing for looked after children: a whole system approach. London: NSPCC

Bentovim, A. (2006) ‘Therapeutic interventions with children who have experienced sexual and physical abuse in the UK’. Enhancing the Well-Being of Children and Families through Effective Interventions 13 (1), 143-157

Biehal, N. (2014) Keeping children safe: allegations concerning the abuse or neglect of children in care: final report. London: NSPCC

Are there any areas of study that you are purposely leaving out? Why? (not mandatory)

*In all your answers, feel free to use in-text citations to substantiate your answers.