Ethical Review Information for the Department of Politics and International Relations

The University of York requires prior ethical review for any research conducted with people, as well as studies using social media and research on extremism. If your work falls into any of these categories, you should seek ethical review before starting your research.

Please note that there is no provision for post-hoc approval. Conducting research without the required approvals can result in disciplinary measures.

There are two tracks for ethical review in the Department of Politics. Staff and PGRs use the Economics, Law, Management, Politics, and Sociology Ethics Committee, known as ELMPS. Undergraduate and PGT student applications are reviewed within the Department by the Ethics Officer and Deputy Ethics Officer.

Here you will find information on these two processes, as well as some initial resources, whether to aid you in preparing an application for review, or to learn more about research ethics in Politics and IR. Follow the tabs for further information.

For further guidance or queries, contact the Ethics Officer, Rebecca.Tapscott@york.ac.uk.

Staff and PGRs

Staff and PGRs in the Department of Politics planning to do research with and/or on people, to conduct primary analysis of social media, who are studying extremism, or who plan to conduct research that could have risks for themselves, others, or the University, should submit their research projects to ELMPS for ethical review. ELMPS reviews applications once every two months, and applications are due two weeks before these meetings. Find out more on the ELMPS home page and how to apply page.

UG and PGT students

UG and PGT students planning to do research with and/or on people, to conduct primary analysis of social media, who are studying extremism, or who plan to conduct research that could have risks for themselves, others, or the University, should submit their proposed research for intra-departmental review. Information including submission dates and application guidance can be found on the VLE.

For UG students, this is in the VLE UG Dissertation module, in the section called Module Documentation
For PGT students, it is in the VLE Dissertation/Policy Report Module in the section called Ethics

Resources

University of York Guidelines, for research:

In general, please consult University of York Code of Practice and Principles for Good Ethical Governance
Using social media, please consult York’s Social Media Guidance
On extremism, please consult York’s Prevent Guidance
On data management, please consult York’s Research Data Management Policy, and York’s GDPR Compliant Research Guidance
That requires travel, please consult York’s Travel Insurance Guidance

General resources:

Guidelines from the American Political Science Association on Human Subjects Research (2020)
Stories from the Field, Podcast for political scientists on the ethics and logistics of field research.
Advancing Research on Conflict Bibliography for research in fragile, conflict or violence-affected contexts or on related topics.
Governing Research Ethics Reading List: A collection of literature on ethical review, including its history and global diffusion.

Please note, many other professional associations have guidelines that may be helpful or relevant. You can get in touch with your advisor or the Risk and Ethics Officer if you are seeking additional resources.