Research Ethics Policy and Procedures

LYIT ETHICS POLICY AND PROCEDURES
Good ethical practice requires that all research is conducted on the basis of respect for and adherence to
regulatory guidelines and internationally accepted ethical norms focusing on the welfare of the study
participants. All research carried out in the Institute or on behalf of the Institute must be governed by the
LYIT ethics policy and procedures.
All staff and learners must secure ethics approval for any research involving or impacting upon human or
animal participants, Approval must be given before research begins. The Institute’s research ethics policy
covers everyone carrying out research for the Institute, whether their place of research is within or outwith
the Institute premises. The Institute’s research ethics policy seeks to develop best practice in research in
accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and statements of appropriate ethical practice produced by
professional bodies. It follows good practice in International ethical guidelines, relevant EU directives,
National guidelines and National legislation. LYIT ethics policy and procedures respect academic freedom
and do not seek to restrict academic research unnecessarily.
PROCEDURES:
Appeals
The decision of the Institute Research Ethics Committee may be appealed to the Office of the Registrar.
(Section E of the Research Ethics Application Form).
INSTITUTE RESEARCH ETHICS COMMITTEE
The Institute Research Ethics Committee overseas good practice in ethical research and develops the
Institute’s ethics policies and procedures.
It will be for the Institute Research Ethics Committee to develop detailed ethics policies and to oversee and
refine procedures. The policies will sit within the internationally accepted norms on ethical research and will
promote the welfare of all human and animal participants while at the same time respecting academic
freedom.These may include:
1. the confidentiality of information provided by those taking part in the research;
2. the anonymity of the respondents;
3. any consents which may be required;
4. the transparency to both researchers and those taking part in the research as to the purpose, methods,
application of the research and any risks involved;
5. arrangements for the publication of the results, including issues of co-authorship;
6. legal restrictions governing access to or the use of research resources and data.
The IREC may choose to adopt more precise definitions which will clarify the scope of the ethics policy. It is
likely that it will develop detailed guidance on, inter alia, the implications of the policy on research involving
animals. It will also develop procedures for dealing with recurring research at the undergraduate level which
will ensure that ethics approval is granted expeditiously, while at the same time requiring that all researchers
conduct their research in line with best ethical practice.

REGULATIONS/ DIRECTIVES GOVERNING ETHICAL CONDUCT OF RESEARCH
• Declaration of Helsinki
• EU Directive 2001/20EC on Clinical Trials
POLICY AND GUIDANCE DOCUMENTS ON ETHICAL ISSUES RELATED TO RESEARCH
• Consent in Research - National Federation of Voluntary Bodies - Providing Services to People with
Intellectual Disability
• The Data Protection Acts 1988 and 2003 - Some implications for public health and medical research -
Health Research Board
• Human Biological Material: Recommendations for Collection, Use and Storage in Research 2005 -
Irish Council for Bioethics
• The Medical and Health Sector - Data Protection Rules in Practice - Data Protection Commissioner
• Personal Information in Medical Research - UK's Medical Research Council
• Operational Procedures for Research Ethics Committees: Guidance 2004 - Irish Council for Bioethics
Guideline document
• Human Ethics Handbook - Commentary on the Australian National Statement on ethical conduct of
research involving humans
• Genetically modified crops: the ethical and social issues - Publication by Nuffield Council on Bioethics
• Organs retained at Autopsy: Ethical and practical issues - Advice of the Australian Health Ethics
Committee
• Embrios, scientific research and European legislation -DG Research Briefing Note No. 14/2001
• Animal to human transplants; the ethics of Xenotransplantation - Publication by Nuffield Council on
Bioethics
COMPOSITION
The composition of the Institute Research Ethics Committee will be as follows:
1. Member of Executive Board (Chair);
2. Independent
3. Chair of Academic Council Research Committee;
4. President of the Student’ Union
5. Two members of research active members of academic staff.
6. The four LYIT Heads of School
The quorum for the Committee will be six.
The Committee will normally reach decision by consensus. If consensus cannot be obtained then the
majority decision will apply with the Chair having the casting vote.
INDEPENDENT MEMBERSHIP OF IREC
Governing Body will approve independent members who may be called upon to sit on the IREC. The panel
list will be valid for three years.

Dates of meetings
The Committee will hold one meeting each semester. Dates will be published on the website.
All papers must be submitted to the committee at least one week in advance of the meeting dates. Late
submissions will not be considered until the subsequent meeting.
Remit
Having considered all the material submitted the IREC may:
grant ethical approval and authorise the research to proceed without requiring any amendment.
Any such authorisation is granted on the basis of the project as stated on the research submission;
any changes must be notified to (and approved by) the Committee.
seek additional information, if necessary through a formal meeting of the Committee with the
researcher (though this will be the exception rather than the rule).
ask for modifications and a resubmission of the application.
withhold approval until all conditions set by the Committee have been met and all
recommendations set by the Committee have been addressed.
In all instances the Committee will give reasons in writing for its decision.

Application Form for Ethics Approval submitted to the School Ethics Committee
IREC reviews Application
Seeks
Modifications
Ethics Approval
Granted
/clearance not
required
Reject
Appeal to
Office of
Registrar
Proceed with any one of the following:
• Funding application
• Application for admission to
research degree programme
• Begin research project