Some classwork and types of project that you might complete in a Change Makers module require you to think about ethics.
In many Change Makers modules you will be engaging in research. This might require you to collect data and then interpret and present it, or develop and implement some type of intervention in your own or someone else’s life – all of which should be carried out in an ethical manner.
What does it mean to act ethically?
Whenever we use research methodology in the real world – involving other living beings – there is the potential that our work might deliver great benefits – to ourselves, to others and to society. However, there is also always the risk that our work might cause upset or harm. This risk is always present, although some types of research may involve more minimal levels of risk and others greater levels of risk. As researchers, we always need to spend time considering and identifying all the potential risks, and thinking about ways to minimise that risk. It is important to remember that it is never possible to completely eliminate all risk. However, we can always assess the balance of benefit and risk to ourselves, others and society – and try to optimise this balance. Sometimes the same risk might be unacceptable if the potential benefit is small, but acceptable if the potential benefit is bigger. Assessing risk and therefore acting ethically is therefore a hugely complex issue.
How do I begin considering the ethical implications of my project?
When you are researching other people’s ideas, thoughts and feelings – possibly through interview, survey, or observation – the ethical issues this raises can be highly sensitive. You need to think about the impact of your methods on your research subjects, and possibly on yourself and others too. For instance, you will need to obtain informed consent from people for their data to be used.
You need to consider ethics before engaging in your work. In cases where the ethical issues are significant, you may need to adapt or even completely change your plans.
Whatever the research project and whatever the methods adopted, you should discuss the ethics with your class teacher before starting your research – in nearly all cases, there will be formal learning activities to help you consider ethics in classtime with your classmates and teacher. However, if you think there might be an ethical issue with any work that you are completing, that might not be part of a formal project – you can talk to your teacher about this at any time.
Helping you to think about ethics in the context of your project
The ethics matrix can be completed in class – in teams or individually. This helps you consider the different dimensions of your project as you are planning what you will do. Thinking about ethics at the planning stage is really important. If you can complete every box on this matrix, then you will be ready to complete your ethics application.
| Engagement | Exchange | Dissemination | |
| In this column you need to think about who is being engaged in your research project (don’t forget to include both your research participants and yourself) | In this column you need to think about what is being exchanged – what are you asking your participants to say, do or give you? | In this column you need to think about how you will use your research data. Who will hear/see/view your project – just the marker, other students or people outside College? | |
| Details | |||
| Physical Risks Is there any chance that physical harm could come to your participant from the nature or location of your research? | |||
| Personal Risks Is there any risk to the emotional or psychological wellbeing of the individual due to what you are asking them? For example, might it cause anxiety? | |||
| Social Risks Is there any risk to reputation or social status of the individual due to their participation in your study? |
Why do I need to do the ethics matrix and then complete a separate application as well?
Ethics is a really important part of any work involving yourself and others. Even the simplest project involves some risk. Completing the matrix above in class, allows you to consider all the different aspects of risk involved in your project, discuss them with other people and develop your research plan fully. You might change your method or even your whole project as you start to consider these risks.
Once you have a clear idea about your project and the ethical implications, we will ask you to complete an ethics application. Every single Change Makers project must have an approved application BEFORE you start your project. Any project work completed without this application in place, risks being failed on the basis of incomplete ethics. It really is that important to your work.
Once you have an idea of what you will be doing for your project, and you have mapped it on the ethics matrix, the application is very quick and easy to complete. Most students found that they could complete the application in between 5 and 30 minutes – depending on how well they had used the matrix activity in classtime.
We have made the application as easy as possible to fill in – we are not trying to test you or catch you out – we genuinely want you to complete amazing projects. Once you have submitted the application, your class teacher will tell you when it is approved. In some cases, it can be approved immediately, in others you might need to amend or reconsider part of your method. Your teacher will always help and make suggestions to help you with this.
What happens to my application?
Your application is reviewed by your class teacher, presented at the Change Makers Ethics Board and then approved or marked for amendment. The final decision about ethical approval is taken following discussion at this meeting with all the Change Makers teachers present.
We try to arrange our Ethics Board meetings to coincide with the deadline for your ethics application. In most cases you will get approval or feedback with suggested amendments within one week.
In some cases where a quick turn around is needed, or if amendments to a previously discussed application are being reviewed, a special ad hoc meeting between the class teacher and the Change Makers Field Leader can be arranged, and then the final approval ratified at the following Change Makers Ethics Board – so that you are not delayed in starting your project.
What type of questions does the application involve?
Here are examples of the questions that are included in the application:
- Please write your name ________________________
- Briefly describe what you will be doing for your project ________________________
- Does your project involve other people (the public, friends, family, flatmates)? Yes/No/Maybe
- Is there are chance that your project might cause YOU to become emotionally or psychologically distressed? How can you minimise this risk and what will you do if it happens? ________________________
- Is there any chance that your project might cause YOU to become physically injured or impaired in any way? If so, what can you do to manage this risk? (this might include physical injury like getting hit by a car, but it might also include things like fatigue from a lack of sleep or sickness from a change in diet) ________________________
- Is there are chance that your project might cause SOMEONE ELSE to become emotionally or psychologically distressed? How can you minimise this risk and what will you do if it happens? ________________________
- Is there any chance that your project might cause SOMEONE ELSE to become physically injured or impaired in any way? If so, what can you do to manage this risk? (this might include physical injury like getting hit by a car, but it might also include things like fatigue from a lack of sleep or sickness from a change in diet) ________________________
- Is there any chance that this project might lead to loss of reputation or social standing for you or anyone involved in your project? How will you minimise this risk? ________________________
- If your project involves other people, what information do they need to know about your project and the types of risk listed to enable them to consent to participate in your project? How will you communicate this to them and record their consent? ________________________
- I understand that if at any time I am worried about the impact of my project on myself or others, I should stop what I am doing and speak to my class teacher or the Change Makers Field Leader. They will be really happy to help me. Yes/No
This application form will be provided online using Microsoft Forms, and you will have plenty of space to answer all the questions.
It is important that when you submit the form, you click the ‘download a PDF copy’ button and keep a record for yourself. This forms an important aspect of your project and you may be asked to submit the form with your final project. You cannot go and edit the form once it is submitted, so if you are asked to amend anything, you will need your PDF copy to refer to before completing a new form.
Last updated 24th September 2023