Upload
kay-hack
View
215
Download
1
Tags:
Embed Size (px)
DESCRIPTION
Pedagogic research may require ethical review. This presentation identifies some of the ethical issues that may arise in pedagogic research and considers how to minimise them through research design. The specific processes /forms described in this presentation are directed at colleagues at the University of Ulster, however the underlying information is relevant to a wider audience.
Citation preview
Design and Approval of Ethical Pedagogical
Research
Dr Kay Hack@hack_kay
Ethical Approval of Pedagogical Research
Defining Pedagogical Research Seeking Ethical Approval Ethical Research Design
• Completion of RG1 forms• Creating / Developing your own research plan• Case study
It is University policy that all research involving human participants must be reviewed through the filter and ethics committee process as appropriate.
Studies covered by the University’s policy include interview, questionnaire and focus group research as well as research involving interventions of any kind.
THE GOVERNANCE OF RESEARCH INVOLVING HUMAN PARTICIPANTS
Students are Humans!
Reducing risk of harm; Protection of participants, researchers and the reputation
of the University; Maintenance of insurance cover/indemnity; Providing assurance to collaborating organisations,
funders and publishers; Maintaining and improving quality and standards
THE GOVERNANCE OF RESEARCH INVOLVING HUMAN PARTICIPANTS
Pedagogical research uses both quantitative and qualitative methods to carry out systematic analysis of [an aspect of] teaching or student learning, with a view to generating and sharing new knowledge.
It is not “intelligence gathering” or a description/evaluation of current teaching; typically module evaluations student surveys etc. can be considered ‘service evaluation’ rather than research.
What is research?
Defining Research The attempt to derive generalizable new
knowledge including studies that aim to generate hypotheses as well as studies that aim to test them.
Addresses clearly defined questions, aims and objectives.
Quantitative Research: Explaining phenomena by collecting numerical
data that are analysed using numerical methods (in particular statistics) (Aliaga and Gunderson, 2000).
• Perception is that results are more reliable• Remove external variables: change only one
variable at a time• Control groups• Random allocation of members to study
groups
(HEA Pedagogical Research Workshop)
Qualitative Research: Identifies/explores themes following established methodologycan include case studies, interviews, surveys analysis through: discourse/narrative analysis, grounded theory
(HEA Pedagogical Research Workshop)
Example: Audio Feedback“Will the provision of audio feedback improve student performance so they are more satisfied?”
Create a research questionThink about research design: what can be feasibly measured/how will you collect dataHow will you compare outcomes
Example: Audio FeedbackPossible research questions1.Do students find it more useful than previous forms of feedback?2.How many students played the audio file
• Technical barriers?• Lack of engagement?
1.Does student progress through the module improve following intervention?2.Do students think that receiving their FB in this format meets Ulster principles for FB&A?
Research Methods?
Question1. Do students find it more
useful than previous forms of feedback
2. How many students played the audio file
3. Does student progress through the module improves following intervention
4. Whether students think that receiving their FB in this format meets Ulster principles for FB&A
Method1. Survey/ Module
evaluation data2. Tracking tools/ survey
3. Data analysis
4. Survey
Example: Audio FeedbackFor each question (1-4):
Is it research?Does it require ethical approval?How would you design the study?
1. If students find Audio FB more useful than previous forms of feedback
2. The number of students that have played the audio file
3. Whether student progress through the module improves
4. Whether students think that Audio FB delivers Ulster principles of FB&A
Applying for Ethical Approval Ethics Filter Committee RG1
Ethics How to annoy the Ethics Committee……….
Ethical Issues:
Guidelines for RG1
Aims, Objectives and Study DesignWhat are the aims and objectives of the study? Does the study design allow for the objectives to be met whilst minimising risk of ‘harm’?Are there enough subjects to ensure statistically significant results? Do you think that recruitment or retention of subjects will be an issue?
Vulnerable Groups Under 18? Healthy volunteers who have a dependent or
subordinate relationship to investigators ?
If YES to any of the above, please specify and justify their inclusion
Guidelines for RG1
Inclusion and exclusion criteria:Usually whole cohort / class etc
Will any inducements be offered? What Inducements/ incentives are appropriate?Prize draw/ money/ free lunch/ engagement/
Guidelines for RG1
Recruitment : How are participants recruited? Consider all participant groups (students, other teaching
staff, admin staff, demonstrators) Is there any coercion (perceived or real). Do participants have enough time to make decision?
Guidelines for RG1
Please describe how and where recruitment will take place, for example
EmailClass announcement PostersBlackboard VLE
Guidelines for RG1
Care of personal information:Anonymise / Pseudo-anonymise research dataLinking performance to other confounding factors requires pseudo-anonymisationUse aggregate dataEnsure there is explicit permission to use direct quotes/audio and or video recordingFocus groups: confidentiality vs anonymity
How is confidentiality ensured?•If using anonymised data – who does the anonymisation?•How is data stored and shared?•How are results reported? Is there a possibility of identifying participants, e.g. if study is on small cohort, specific subject area•What demographic data is collected? e.g. in a Large predominantly homogeneous cohort (95% female 18-22 year olds) easy to identify data from male or mature students
Participant Information Sheet
Should follow guidelines / proforma at Research Office website
Is it clear?avoids use of over technical information
Is it informative? the participant knows what is required of them, what are the risks and benefits
Is it clear that they do not have to participate and can withdraw?
Distinguish elements that are research and those that are normal teaching practice.
Consent
Proforma on Research Office website Does participant explicitly consent to all aspects of the
research?• accessing personal data• audio or video recording
What happens if they want to withdraw? Implied consent is best practice when completing
anonymised questionnaires“ by completing this questionnaire I understand……..
Case studies
1. Does the study require ethical approval?2. How would you design the study to minimise ethical
issues whilst generating useful 3. What are the key ethical issues
Working individually or in groups: Case study – research design and ethics Create your own research idea Complete RG1 form for a planned study
Resources: Examples of completed RG1 forms Example of completed grant application Blank RG1forms Guide to creating your own research idea