Supervisor training and monitoring for ethics at the University ofWinchester

Bridget Egan

Supervisor training

Two forms:• An accredited programme for new

supervisors (and anyone who wishes to complete it

• Occasional sessions (within the programme) for experienced supervisors

• Ethics training is one of the sessions, and is kept up to date

Supervisor training

New supervisors are expected to• Enrol on the first module of the certificate in

doctoral supervision• Participate regularly in supervisor training

sessions• Develop their knowledge of procedures and

processes• Monitor their knowledge using on-line self-

tests

Supervisor training

All supervisors are expected to• Participate regularly in supervisor

training sessions• Update their knowledge of procedures

and processes• Monitor their updated knowledge using

the on-line self-tests

Research supervisor training for ethics

Principles:Research ethics is about understanding the

risks and knowing how to minimise them. It is not simply a matter of compliance with codes of practice and University procedures.

Ethical behaviour in research extends beyond care for living human participants, and includes care for non-human species, for fragile artefacts, and for the environment.

Research supervisor training for ethics

Discussion of 1. case studies and issues that have arisen in

supervision.

2. specific ethical considerations that arise in particular fields of research

3. how students should be advised to frame ethics discussion in their proposal and methodology sections of their work

4. how to fill in the forms – levels of risk, levels of approval, who scrutinises

Research supervisor training

Supervisors required to submit a form with their research report at the end of each academic year which tracks their participation in events that ensure that they are clear and up-to-date with the regulations.

Sanctions for not participating in Research supervisor training

1. In the worst case, supervisors barred from taking on new doctoral students until they can demonstrate participation.

2. Student proposals may take longer to reach approval if supervisor knowledge is out of date

Research students

• All PhD students participate in a short programme of on-line research training

• First module includes a discussion of research ethics.

Research students

• A student evaluation:This module has helped me to...

...focus and develop my ideas in relation to the MPhil/PhD through its series of exercises. […]I found the information relating to the Data Protection Act particularly helpful as this was something I had not come across before in so much detail. The course helps to expose students to such issues

This module has extended my thinking by... • ...making me consider the rights of interviewees, whilst

highlighting the importance of the Data Protection Act and the security it affords those involved in any such project.

Student Research Proposals

Proposals for Mphil/PhD EdD research go through a three-stage system of scrutiny.

1. Flags those proposals that are likely to require approval rather than release. Scrutiny by a faculty ethics representative prior to interview.

2. At interview, discussion of level of risk for those candidates who may be eligible for release (very low risk although human participants are involved) or who need full scrutiny and approval.

3. Full scrutiny of the proposal by the ethics panel for students whose proposals are higher risk.

Undergraduate and MA dissertation proposals

Where human research involved:

Staff trained in research ethics scrutiny

Supervisors scrutinise for ethics, and countersign the ethics form.

(we are currently considering the question of dual scrutiny for u/g and MA proposals)