New Ethics Online System
The ethics review process is essential to the delivery of education and research across all four Faculties. The K2 ethics online system was retired at the end of October 2022 and this provides an opportunity to invest in a sector-leading system that can support the implementation of new policies, procedures and ways of working which will streamline the ethical review process, while ensuring the rigour required for ethical review. The new ethics online system (hosted and delivered by Infonetica) is available for all staff and students (including London and Amsterdam campuses, and at our partner institutions).
In parallel a number of recommendations by the Ethics Policy Review Group, chaired by Dr Claire Thornton, and with representation from each Faculty, have been approved and are being implemented:
- The creation of a College of Ethics Reviewers in each Faculty
- The use of committee review for some complex, high-risk projects
- A triage step in the processing of ethics applications, and rationalisation of ethics review categories
- A significantly expanded research ethics and integrity development programme including online and in-person training
- Improved guidance and webpages to support researchers through the ethics processes, including external approvals
You can access more information about the other changes to the ethical approval process, including the College of Ethics Reviewers here.
Why have we changed system?
The previous ethics online system was built in-house in 2016/17 on a platform called K2; this platform has now been retired, and the University has procured a sector leading system that can provides users with a more streamlined application.
The Infonetica Ethics Research Manager system is used by universities across the country, and in the US and Australia; it is a tried and tested system to manage research ethics applications. The system provides a robust platform that is easy to use, and has been adapted to Northumbria's policies and processes. The ethics application that applicants complete replicates the previous form, but a key benefit is that by using a Smart form, each application can be filtered so the applicant only completes relevant sections.
The changes to the ethical approval process are in part due to the revised and updated Concordat to Support Research Integrity which has a stronger mandate to monitor compliance with its commitments. Northumbria must assure its compliance with the Concordat through an Annual Report, which identifies areas for improvement and good practice to build on. A significant challenge identified in 2020/21 was the consistency of ethical review and lack of committee review for high-risk, complex ethics applications. Researchers will benefit from a more consistent review process with better guidance, and support available to applicants and reviewers.
Please access the Ethical Governance in Research Policy on this web page for further information about the changes to Northumbria’s ethical approval policy with effect from September 2022.
Frequently Asked Questions and Further Guidance
Further guidance for staff users is available on our RIS Intranet webpages, including a list of FAQs to support the change to a new ethics online system. If you can't find the answer to your question below please contact: ethicssupport@northumbria.ac.uk and we will respond to your query and add it to our FAQ list.
Approved Applications in the K2 System
The K2 based ethics system was taken offline with effect from 21st October 2022. Therefore it is no longer possible for any applications to be downloaded from the system. RIS will keep a download of data from the 'old' ethics online system for audit purposes.
If you have downloaded your submission from the ‘old’ ethics system, you can add its details to the new ethics system together with details of any amendment to the project.
If you have any queries, please contact ethicssupport@northumbria.ac.uk
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