Frequently Asked Questions

The new application form for research ethics has been available in the School of Psychology since December and has been piloted across the University.

The system launched on March 15^th, 2023, for all new applications for postgraduate students, postgraduate researchers, and staff.  All legacy systems will close for acceptance of new applications from postgraduate students, postgraduate researchers and staff at the end of April i.e. new applications only be accepted on the new system from 1^st May from these groups.

Final year undergraduate students will be invited to use the system from Autumn 2023 onwards.

All existing applications will be processed via the currently existing systems including amendments.

The exceptions will be amendments to high-risk applications, amendments to research that was approved prior to Jan 2021, or amendments from the former College of Engineering. These will be amended and processed via the new system. Guidance on making an amendment can be accessed through the “Help” tab under the “Help” section in the online system.

All students and staff planning to conduct research may need to undertake an ethical review.

It is the responsibility of the Principal Investigator, Researcher, or Investigator to make sure the research is ethically carried out. If you are in any doubt, please seek advice from your Faculty ethics admin.

It is recognised that among the various types of research activities carried out within the University, not all will require ethical scrutiny from a University Committee. The list below is a generic guidance of data collection for research that could be exempt from an ethical review.

• Quality assurance studies, program evaluations, performance reviews, and testing within normal educational and/or organisational requirements, to be used for assessment and/or improvement purposes, and there is no research question involved.
• Research based on review of published/publicly reported literature.
• Consulting, unless carried out under the auspices of the university.

A document with examples is available here.

For any further exceptions please check your Faculty Ethics web pages here.

If you are a student, advice and support are available from your supervisor or, for staff and PGR, from your ethics admin contact point. See "Where can I find support”  

Humanities and Social Sciences email: FHSS-Ethics@swansea.ac.uk

Webpage: FHSS Research Ethics Committee

Medicine, Health, and Life Science email: FMHLS-Ethics@swansea.ac.uk

Webpage: FMHLS Research Ethics Committee

Science and Engineering email: FSE-Ethics@swansea.ac.uk

Webpage: FSE Research Ethics Committee

Non-Faculty enquiries email: researchintegrity@swansea.ac.uk

Research with NHS:  researchgovernance@swansea.ac.uk

For technical system queries:

Log a digital support ticket with the team here

Training guides and walkthroughs are available on the system in the help section. Training sessions are scheduled for reviewers and applicants for Q&A and real time walkthroughs. These virtual training sessions are open to all. Please email Infonetica-support@swansea.ac.uk, if you would like to attend, and meeting links will be emailed to you.

If you require additional support or training, please contact your Research Ethics Faculty Admin.

FSE-Ethics@swansea.ac.uk

FMHLS-Ethics@swansea.ac.uk

FHSS-Ethics@swansea.ac.uk

Non-Faculty enquiries email: researchintegrity@swansea.ac.uk

Research with NHS: researchgovernance@swansea.ac.uk