Research Ethics

Ethics Requirements

All SETU Waterford researchers, students and staff,  have a personal responsibility for meeting the ethical requirements in the conduct of their research. All researchers should, in the first instance, refer to Chapter 11 of the PG Regulations, seek advice from the supervisor and seek approval from the School or Department authorities for their proposed research activities.

Students may find it useful to refer to the considerations listed in the SETU Ethical Approval Application Form  included as an appendix in the PG Regulations.

Following consultation with their School and Department researchers who intend to conduct research in any of the following areas will require clearance from the Ethics Advisory Committee:

1. Research that involves a direct physical intervention with a person or animal;
2. Research that involves the collection of tissue samples;
3. Research that involves contact with vulnerable groups - eg. Children; people from marginalised groups; ethnic groups etc.
4. Research that involves people's personal information, rights or freedoms (this includes internet-based research);
5. Research that involves students in SETU Waterford as the subject;
6. Research where there is a potential that subjects may feel under pressure to participate;
7. Research that may involve a risk to the researcher;
8. Research which may lead to the disclosure of acts on the part of subjects, either consciously or unconsciously, that are professionally or morally disapproved of or are against the law;
9. Research that involves potential stress or loss to subjects (psychological, physical, economic, reputational) beyond those of everyday life if the subjects had not participated in the study;
10. Research involving direct observations of people's activities (either open or covert observation).

Each researcher should also note that Garda Vetting clearance may also be required in cases where the research programme will involve placement in health or social care settings.

Ethical Approval Application

If a postgraduate student is required to present their research project to the SETU Waterford Ethics Committee for ethical approval, they should complete the SETU Ethical Approval Application Form  and submit it along with all other relevant documentation. Please see SETU Research Ethics Committee Operations and Guidance document for information on how to complete your application.

Data Protection

Please see the Data Protection Policy which all students should read prior to appearing before the Ethics Committee. If your research project is health-related, you should also read the Data Protection Guidelines on Research in the Health Sector .

Please contact [email protected] for further details.