PGR Essentials

What is Ethics in Research?

• Moral principles that govern how researchers should carry out their work
• Used to shape research regulations agreed by peers (university governing bodies, communities, funders, governments)
• Ethical compliance is a necessary condition of Trusted Scientific Research

What is Scientific Research? (for ethics screening)

• The use of new data or information to generate knowledge not yet in the public domain
• Uses the scientific method

Why is this important?

• Ethical compliance is a necessary condition of Trusted Scientific Research
• If your research is not ethical, or it has not been ethically screened, it cannot be published.

Online ethics system

Access via https://myapps.microsoft.com/

Select the ‘Ethics – Applicant’ tile

Two-stage process:

Stage 1 – A self-assessment to filter projects with little to no risk

Stage 2 – Committee review for applications which may carry a risk

COMMITTEE REVIEW

• Applications submitted to committee
• Review procedure usually takes 2-3 weeks
• Whole procedure, inc. revisions can take up to 6 weeks.

Decisions

• Proposals are either approved or returned and invited to resubmit once queries are addressed.
• Applications that are returned are typically because more information is required.
• Once the committee is satisfied with the information provided, the application is approved and a reputational risk statement is made.

STEPS TO FOLLOW ON THE RESEARCH ETHICS SYSTEM

Select ‘Create Project’

Give your project a meaningful title that reflects your proposed study

Select ‘Research ethics application form’

Read the Welcome & Instructions

Begin to build your ethics application by selecting, Main Applicant.

Depending on the details, more sections may appear.

Work through the initial ‘Yes/No’ questions

Info tab gives additional information/clarifications

Can move through the application by selecting ‘Next’

Navigate will take you back to the home screen

You can save at any time. Form automatically saves when you select ‘Next’

• You will need to sign the application, once complete and request a signature from your supervisor via the system
• Once your supervisor signs the application, you will either receive an approval (via email) or your form will be sent to a committee for review.
• The majority of applications in FSE will receive an automatic approval.
• Once you have received your approval, you may begin to collect your data.
• If you need to submit an amendment, do this via the ethics system as soon as possible.

All PGR students must complete a small amount of mandatory training within the first three months of study.  These courses are:

Ethical Research Training

This course consists of two modules called 'Becoming an Ethical Researcher' and 'Research Ethics in Practice'.  You must complete both modules and all quizzes.  There are four quizzes per module, eight in total.

• You need to work through each section of content and return to the assignment page to access each quiz.  You will get a score for the quiz but not for the course content.
• You will not be able to click on 'end of course quiz' within this course.  You can only access the quizzes via the assignments page.  When you click on Assignments, make sure you click 'view by type' in the top right corner of the screen so that you view the course content in the correct order. View more information on how to view your score and access the quizzes here.
• You don't need to download the certificate as your scores will be automatically recorded on Canvas.
• The pass mark for each module is 80% and you need to complete all the quizzes. 

GDPR Training (English) or GDPR Training (Cymraeg).  The pass mark is 80%. 

Diversity in the Workplace

The pass mark is 70%. 

Safeguarding and Prevent Awareness Training 

The pass mark is 80%. 

Development Needs Analysis

The Development Needs Analysis process is designed to help you reflect on and identify the key areas in which you need to develop, in line with the PGR Training Framework.

Students in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (FHSS) enrolling from October 2024 onwards must complete the Development Needs Analysis (DNA). Click here to access the DNA for FHSS students.

The DNA is optional for all other research students. If you are not a research student in FHSS, access the DNA here (English)  Download access the DNA here (English)or here (Cymraeg) Download here (Cymraeg).

Overseas Travel

If you are travelling overseas as part of your research, please follow the steps below on how to access Crisis24 Horizon and the Personal Security Awareness Training module which must be completed prior to travel. 

1. Go to crisis24horizon.com/umal Links to an external site.where you will be directed to create an account.
2. Enter your Swansea University address ending @swansea.ac.uk.
3. A verification email will be sent.  Click the link and create a password.

 Guidance and travel forms can be accessed on the postgraduate policies and procedures myuni pages here.

Additional Development and Training Opportunities for PGRs

• The PGR office runs a wide-ranging programme of development and training opportunities open to PGRs from all faculties. You can find out more and book campus/online workshops by visiting the Development and Training pages for PGRs.
• A wide range of resources to support your research and development are available on the Resources for Postgraduate Researchers Canvas Hub, including access to the popular online Research Skills Toolkit.

INTRODUCTION

The University is committed to ensuring that all activities undertaken students whether on campus, within our premises, or working off campus i.e. fieldwork, are conducted to the highest possible standards for health and safety.

The Heath and Safety Introduction course will provide you with:

• An overview of health and safety processes at the university, including emergency arrangements.
• An overview of your responsibilities for health and safety.
• Links to additional information, including policies, guidance, and additional training available.
• Key contacts for additional assistance.

There will be a compulsory test at the end of this course with a pass rate of 85%. 

LABORATORY ACCESS

If you require laboratory access to conduct your research, you are required to complete an additional course - Health, Safety and Sustainability Introduction to Laboratories.  This is an online course which you are required to complete before access to the laboratory is given by your faculty. 

Contact your Faculty Compliance Team for access to the course: FSE-Access@swansea.ac.uk

The course will provide you with:

• An understanding of the laboratory inductions required before you begin your work/ research in the laboratory.
• An understanding of the laboratory hazards and controls.
• An awareness of what to do in an emergency and the emergency facilities available.
• An understanding of waste requirements.
• An understanding of what a sustainable laboratory is.

There will be a compulsory test at the end of this course with a pass rate of 85%. 

Additional Health and Safety Training

Our Health, Safety and Resilience Team offer a wide range of training courses to staff and postgraduate students. 

Depending on your research, there may be several essesntial training courses available to help you in your day-to-day work and for your continuous professional development.

To view the courses available, see the Heath, Safety and Resilience PG MyUni page:

Training Courses - Swansea University

(https://myuni.swansea.ac.uk/living-in-swansea/health-and-safety/postgraduates/training-courses/)

If you need assistance, in the first instance speak with your supervisor

For further assistance, please contact FSE-ethics@swansea.ac.uk

If you encounter any problems with the content or resources in the Canvas course, please contact:

Sally Robb or Dr Teresa Phipps for support by emailing pgrtraining@swansea.ac.uk

If you have any queries regarding health and safety training, contact Nina Dicataldo: n.Dicataldo@swansea 

For the Faculty of Science and Engineering, our Health and Safety Advisors are:

• Lorraine Wild (Science): L.B.Wild@Swansea.ac.uk
• Will Finn-Lewis (Engineering): W.D.Finn-Lewis@Swansea.ac.uk

Alternatively, you can contact: healthandsafety@swansea.ac.uk