Trinity Laban ensures that appropriate governance procedures and mechanisms are in place to oversee research involving human participants.
The ethical principles of integrity, honesty, confidentiality, voluntary participation, impartiality and the avoidance of personal risk to individuals or social groups characterise research that is conducted in a professional and ethical manner. The key concept of informed consent needs to be understood by both researchers and Trinity Laban’s Research Ethics Committees in light of the context, aims and objectives.
Ethical principles for conducting research with human participants
In all circumstances, researchers (which by definition, includes individuals also undertaking postgraduate research) must consider the ethical implications and psychological consequences for the participants in their research. The essential principle is that the investigation should be considered from the standpoint of all participants; foreseeable threats to their psychological well-being, health, values or dignity should be eliminated.
Researchers should recognise that, in our multi-cultural and multi-ethnic society and where investigations involve individuals of different ages, gender and social background, the researchers may not have sufficient knowledge of the implications of any investigation for the participants. It should be borne in mind that the best judge of whether an investigation will cause offence may be members of the population from which the participants in the research are to be drawn.
All activities that have a potential ethical implication should be forwarded to the Trinity Laban Research Ethics Committee for consideration. The Secretary for this Committee is Eden Longson: e.longson@trinitylaban.ac.uk.
Code of Best Practice for Research
- Research should be designed, reviewed and undertaken in a way that ensures its integrity and quality.
- Research staff and participants must be informed fully about the purpose, methods and intended possible uses of the research, what their participation in the research entails and what risks, if any, are involved. Informed consent entails giving as much information as possible about the research so that prospective participants can make an informed decision on their possible involvement.
- The confidentiality of information supplied by research participants and the anonymity of respondents must be respected.
- Research participants must participate in a voluntary way, free from any coercion.
- Harm to research participants must be avoided.
- Parental/guardian consent must be sought for research participants under the age of eighteen.
- The independence and impartiality of researchers must be clear, and any conflicts of interest or partiality must be explicit.
- Participants in collaborative research should at all times follow best practice as regards the accreditation of the work of others.
Documents
Applications to the Trinity Laban Research Ethics Committee for Ethical Approval: Introduction
Guidelines for Ethical Approval Application, Research Involving Human Participants
Conducting research using the internet raises additional ethical considerations. You may find the British Psychological Society Ethics guidelines useful.
If you are an external researcher considering a request to involve Trinity Laban staff or students in your research, please read the document Research Ethics information for external researchers.
If you undertake research involving the participation of other people at any CUK institution, please refer to the CUK ethics guidance.
For Trinity Laban staff and students, these documents as well as important further guidance on research ethics are available on Moodle.