Ethical considerations

Consider if and how these ethical issues are relevant to your initial proposal and at each stage of your project. Check off  once fully addressed. Put a line through any that do not apply.
I have given careful consideration to each of the following and taken due
measures to ensure that each is met.

Children and vulnerable people
■	The needs of any vulnerable participants
such as children (page 160)
■	Meeting ethical codes with respect to
working with vulnerable participants
■	Signed permission of the participants and/
or carers or gatekeepers (as relevant)
■	Any other required consents needed, such
as from employers, clients, etc.
Anonymity and confidentiality
■	Guaranteed anonymity
■	Guaranteed confidentiality
■	Guaranteed security of data
■	No false promises about anonymity,
confidentiality or security
Academic integrity and intellectual property
■	Acknowledgement of all sources
■	Necessary permissions and licences for use
of materials and sources
■	No material used if permission was refused
■	Respect for other people’s intellectual
property (in spirit as well as within the law)
Conflicts of interest
■	Full awareness of potential vested interests
■	Full awareness of potential conflicts of
interest
■	Declaration of vested interests (own or
those of family members)
■	Unbiased reporting of findings
■	
Careful consideration of the consequences for others (e.g. reputation of employer/ institution)
Conservation and Environment
■	Care of fragile and rare resources/materials
■	Consideration for animals, wildlife, natural
habitats, water, etc.
■	Consideration of environmental choices (environmental footprint; green miles; etc.)
■	Environmental impact
Health and safety
■	Health and safety issues thought through from the perspective of different stakeholders
■	Consequences of research thought
through from the perspective of different stakeholders
Signed informed consent
■	Participants receiving the information they need in order to give informed consent
■	Participants’ understanding of the purpose
and nature of the research
■	Participants’ understanding of what they
are required to do
■	Participants’ signed consent for taking part
■	Participants’ signed consent for use to be
made of their responses, data, images, etc.
Overall
■	The concept of ‘no harm’ is upheld.
■