Hosted by @SimonRainesOT1 & @AAMNOT_
We are two OT students conducting a research project titled “Factors influencing the lack of Occupational Therapists in the research field. – A comparative study of OT Academics, Clinicians, and Pre- Registration students “. In light of the barriers and challenges we’ve faced in our research journey in seeking ethical approval, we’ve decided to base this week’s #OTalk topic on gaining ethical approval to undertake research. This blog showcases our first-hand experience with acquiring ethics approval so far and our opinions about how this process can be improved.
Research is a vital aspect of advancing knowledge and improving various fields, but it must be conducted with a strong ethical foundation. In this blog post, we will talk about the significance of ethics in research, focusing on the credibility it lends to studies and the importance of compliance with established standards and guidelines. Additionally, we will explore the barriers researchers may face in obtaining ethical approvals and reflect on the need for improvements in the process.
Ethics serves as the backbone of credible research ensuring the trustworthiness and reliability of findings, strengthening the overall credibility of the research outcomes (CAHPR, nd). Ethically conducted studies are conducted by researchers with integrity who adhere to established guidelines and regulations set by organizations such as the Medical Research Council (MRC, 2023) and World Health Organization (WHO, 2023). These organizations provide comprehensive standards to safeguard the rights and well-being of research participants, including aspects such as confidentiality, anonymity, risk management, dignity, and welfare. Informed consent from participants is also a critical component to ensure ethical research practices.
In our own experience, we found the ethical approval process to be more complex than anticipated, leading to long waiting times. Additionally, we have experienced delays in our quest for ethical approval due to a lack of available members on the ethics board with authority to grant the approval when the chairperson was on annual leave. These experiences highlight the need for flexibility, adaptability, and a need for more people on the ethics board.
Moving forward, it is important to consider ways to improve the ethical approval process. This could involve increasing the availability of experts to streamline the review process, making it less time-consuming, and establishing a prioritization system for lower-risk research projects. By making the process accessible and straightforward, we can encourage occupational therapists and researchers from various disciplines to actively engage in research endeavors.
Despite the barriers researchers may face, it is important to reflect on experiences and work towards improvements. By fostering a collaborative approach and seeking input from individuals who have gone through the ethical approval process, we can create a more accessible and straightforward path for researchers, promoting the advancement of knowledge and the well-being of research participants.
This #OTalk gives you opportunities to tell us about your experiences of gaining ethical approval to undertake research and if you haven’t sought ethical approval previously, we want to hear about your opinion towards the idea of the process. As well as identifying what can be done to help the process become more efficient.
References
Council for Allied Health Professions Research. (nd). Seeking ethical approval. Council for Allied Health Professions Research. https://cahpr.csp.org.uk/system/files/documents/2018-10/11_seeking_ethical_approval_1.pdf
United Kingdom Research and Innovation. (2023). Good research practice policies and guidance. United Kingdom Research and Innovation. https://www.ukri.org/about-us/mrc/our-policies-and-standards/research/
World Health Organisation. (2023). Ensuring ethical standards and procedures for research with human beings. World Health Organisation. https://www.who.int/activities/ensuring-ethical-standards-and-procedures-for-research-with-human-beings
Questions:
- How does the process of obtaining ethical approval for research projects impact your interest and motivation to engage in research, particularly if you are new to the research field?
- Could you share your previous experience in seeking ethical approval and provide insights into the duration of the process? / If you have not sought ethical approval previously what are your opinions towards the idea of the process?
- Is there a need for increased representation of occupational therapists on ethics committee boards and why?
- If you have gained ethical approval for a research project previously what advice and guidance would you give to others who have not and are just beginning their research journey?
- What are some changes you think can be made in order to improve the process of acquiring ethical approval?
OTalk 