RESEARCH ETHICS COMMITTEE (REC)

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON ETHICAL RESEARCH AT SPCD

St Patrick's College wishes to ensure that its researchers adhere to the highest standards of research excellence. Given its commitment to the education of young Irish people, including those most vulnerable, it sees the adherence to the highest ethical standards in research as an essential element of its role and mission.

The College Research Ethics Committee (REC) has prepared and adopted ethical guidelines and procedures for SPCD researchers, including members of academic staff involved in collaborative and individual projects, doctoral and masters students, and undergraduates.

Given the complex, varied and often sensitive nature of the research carried out in the College, the REC is mindful of the need for guidelines that are clear and unambiguous and that do not add unnecessarily to workloads. It is also aware that the guidelines will evolve to conform to the requirements of the College's research agenda and priorities.

Project leaders, chief investigators, supervisors of research projects, heads of department and directors of programme boards should ensure that all aspects of research are planned, implemented and completed/published keeping the highest ethical standards in mind. They should be aware that some research projects have ethical implications that need to be treated with the utmost seriousness. Students and other investigators are responsible for ensuring that their research complies with the College's ethical standards.

If research project project leaders, chief investigators, supervisors of research projects and dissertations, heads of department and directors of programme boards encounter breaches of ethical practice, they should inform the Dean of Research who will bring the matter to the attention of the REC.

All researchers collaborating with colleagues in other institutions of the need to comply with SPCD research ethics procedures and protocols.

In those situations where it is agreed after consultation that SPCD will accept the ethical review processes of another institution on a joint project, it is important to supply a signed copy of the clearance letter/certificate to the chair of the research ethics committee - who is yours truly at this time. It will be formally noted by the REC.

Staff who have had projects reviewed by the Research Ethics Committee are reminded that if they decide not to continue with projects that have been given ethical approval they are requested to inform the REC.

Note that where multi-stage research projects are concerned, the REC realizes that sometimes additional instruments are developed at a late stage of the project, after REC approval has been received. In such cases, the latest instruments should be submitted for REC approval with a copy of the REC compliance certificate. 

The Office of the Dean will be happy to process any enquiries relating to research ethics.