Document Identifier: Student Ethics in Research Committee Application Form

Document Title: Student Ethics in Research Committee Application Form

Description: This form is required to be completed by all students who wish to
carry out research in Marino Institute of Education.
Author (Position): Marino Ethics in Research Committee
Version: 2
Approved By: MIE Governing Body
Policy Approval Date: January 2019
Date of Next Policy April 2023 (or as necessary)
Review:

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Document Identifier: Student Ethics in Research Committee Application Form

Procedure for Ethical Approval of Research Proposals

1 Context
All applications for ethical approval of research proposals by Students in Marino Institute
of Education (MIE) must undergo review by the Student Ethics in Research Committee
(SERC).

2 Scope
This document applies to all students who wish to carry out research in MIE.

3 Purpose
3.1 If you are a student in MIE completing a research dissertation, you must complete
this form.

3.2 A completed form must be returned to the SERC for review and approval.

4 Student Ethics Application Form

Please complete all sections of the form and adhere to the maximum word count for each
section.

Student Name: Daniel Scanlan

Student
Number: 18485544
Course of
Study: B.Ed.
Year of Study: 3rd

Please Tick the Level of Approval Required [√]

Historical research in education. Research that uses pre-existing data in the public
Level 0* domain (e.g. data from the Growing up in Ireland study). Review of literature or
research. Document analysis.

Anonymous surveys of a non- personal nature. Unrecorded and anonymous

observation of individuals in public areas. Analysis of anonymised data. Interviews
Level 1
with non-vulnerable adults. Some Action Research. Surveys where respondents can
be identified and gave consent.

All research with children (<18 years of age) and vulnerable adults. Where questions
are of a sensitive nature. Video recording or observation. Research conducted outside
Level 2
Ireland. Research involving psychological intervention. Projects where each subject is
paid.

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Document Identifier: Student Ethics in Research Committee Application Form

*Important Note: If you tick Level 0 above, you must have agreed this with your
Supervisor/Course Leader who must co-sign this form before submission. Supervisors/Course
Leaders reserve the right to request SERC to review Level 0 applications.

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Document Identifier: Student Ethics in Research Committee Application Form

Overview of the Proposed Research

What is your
How does socio-economic status influence standardized test scores in
Research literacy and numeracy among 6th class students in a primary school in
Question? Dublin, Ireland.

In recent years, Ireland has experienced rapid economic growth and social change. Due
to this growth many primary school classrooms reflect this social growth and change
and how socio-economic status affect children’s education.
This research project asks the question of how does socio-economic status influence
standardized test scores in literacy and numeracy among 6th class primary school
students. It will examine the teaching and learning of literacy and numeracy in a
primary school in Dublin, Ireland.
The aim of the research is to analyse these two aspects and how a student’s
background and circumstances help or hinder their literacy and numeracy
education in a contemporary classroom.
What is your The research will also look at what interventions are shown to help students who have
fallen behind in literacy and numeracy, (NEPS, 2020).
research
I will also look at the socio-economic status of the school and its surrounding area in
project about? how it shapes literacy and numeracy test scores, such as prevalence of libraries,
bookstores and isolation from other amenities, (Kelleher & Weir, 2017).
(max. 200 words)
I will also investigate the prevalence of teaching simply to do well in the test and does
this adequately reflect the student’s achievements. This study will also investigate
teachers’ opinions whether there is a need for such tests and other aspects such as how
they affect both theirs and the student’s time, (Kelleher & Weir, 2017).
The date will be collected using a qualitative approach. 10-12 interviews will be
carried out with practicing teachers on the topic numeracy and literacy. I will
take a semi-structured approach, meaning there is more room for the
participants to talk broadly about issues raised.

Please tick √
Qualitative
which Mixed Methods Quantitative Multi-Method
approach is
proposed

The data will be collected by semi-structured interviews.

This method was chosen because semi-structured interviews are an effective
method for data collection when the researcher wants to collect qualitative, open-
What method(s) ended data and to explore participant thoughts, feelings, and beliefs about a
particular topic (DeJonckheere & Vaughn, 2019).
of data The flexible structure of Semi-Structured interviews also allows the researcher to
collection will prompt or encourage the interviewee if they are looking for more information or
find what is being said interesting and relevant. This method gives the
you use? researcher the freedom to probe the interviewee to elaborate or to follow a new
line of inquiry introduced by what the interviewee is saying.
(max. 100 words) (Cohen & Crabtree, 2006).
As this is a small-scale research project, there are limitations of the sample
size being too small. It will only give a very minute picture and it will only
answer the research question in broad terms.

Who are your The proposed participants are teachers who teach in a primary school. I will

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Document Identifier: Student Ethics in Research Committee Application Form

proposed
carry out 10-12 interviews.
participants? I will aim to have participants from different genders and a range of ages from
newly qualified and above. This is to get a large and varied sample.
(Include no. of
participants)

I will first meet with the principal, explaining to them in detail the purpose of my
research. Upon her approval, I will deliver, in person, a letter of consent to each
teacher in the thirty teachers in the school. I will do this a month before when I
How will you commence the interview process. This will give teachers a chance to consider
whether they will take part. Also, it gives them a chance to contact me should
identify & invite they have any questions about the research. Depending on the response to
these letters, I will carry out interviews when it most suits the participants.
participants?
My relationship with these teachers is that I will be carrying out my 10-week,
(max. 100 words) Advanced School Placement in their school. I have previously met some of
them while on placement last April/May. I have worked with one class
teacher on my previous placement, and I will work with two more on my
forthcoming placement.

Ethical Considerations
It is my responsibility to ensure that the participants are fully aware of what the
study involves, and that I have informed consent. The participants will have clear
information that the study is completely voluntary and have the right to withdraw
at any time they choose. I will not interfere with the participants time at work or at
home. I will be respectful that participants have volunteered their time and do no
Indicate the harm, (BERA, 2018). Participants will be explicitly told of how their data will be
ethical collated and that their information will be kept confidential. I will ensure
transparency and ease of access for participants who want to access their data.
considerations Participant’s anonymity is guaranteed, and pseudonyms will be used. Names and
descriptors of school and participants will not be in the final study.
relevant to this I will arrange with the participating teachers a day and time which bests suits
them. As the teachers will be teaching throughout the day, it will be necessary to
project. carry out the interviews after school. I will seek permission from the principal and
(max. 150 words) caretaker to use the meeting room to carry out these interviews.
As my research will take place on the school grounds, with teachers at the
school, there is no security concerns for participants or researchers.

What steps will The participants anonymity and confidentiality are very important during this
research. During the study pseudonyms will be used to ensure confidentiality and
you take to participant’s information will only be shared between myself and my supervisor.
Participants will be informed as to how their data is to be recorded, stored and
minimize risk that it will be deleted after the study is finished. To ensure all data is kept secure,
it will not be collected and stored on a mobile device due to security concerns.
e.g. consent,
Informed consent will be obtained by giving an information letter that outlines the
assent, rights of participants e.g. right to withdraw, and then a signed consent form that
confidentiality will be obtained before collecting data (AERA, 2011).

etc.? A week prior to beginning the interview process, I will hand deliver a letter of
consent to each teacher in the school. This will be done before school, after
(max. 200 words) school or during break if necessary. This letter includes a detailed summary of
the research and the purpose of it. It also included my contact details should
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Document Identifier: Student Ethics in Research Committee Application Form

they have any questions.

There will be a consent slip attached to the letter asking the participants two
questions:
1). Do you consent to be interviewed for this research project?
2). Do you consent to have the interviews audio recorded?
I will ask them to return these consent slips to me within the week. This will be
a written consent which I will file.
As my research project is low risk there are only slight ethical aspects that
must be considered. These include ensuring the anonymity of the teachers
who are interviewed. The interviews will be stored on a password-protected
laptop, and they will be recorded using an audio recorder, such as a
Dictaphone and not a mobile phone.

The interviews will be transcribed and stored on a password-protected

laptop and USB key. The participants are also free not to answer any of
the questions asked and to terminate the interview at any stage, without
giving a reason.

All data will be stored on a password-protected computer with all files labelled
using pseudonyms. If audio is to be recorded via Zoom, consent will be obtained
Describe how for interviews to be audio recorded. Only my supervisor and I will have access to
this data.
you will record Files will be kept till grading and corrections to the dissertation are made in may
June 2025, then will be deleted/destroyed by the 1st of September 2025 to full
and store GDPR standards (Bera, 2018).
The participants anonymity and confidentiality are very important during
empirical data. this research. These will be respected during the course of the research as
interviews will be recorded on an audio-recorder, no phone will be used in
(max. 100 words)
the recording process. The interviews will be transcribed and stored on a
password-protected laptop and USB key.

Insert the date

you received 24/04/23
Garda Vetting.

Do you plan to Please tick √ If yes, explain:

provide an
No
incentive for Yes
participation?
Complete the Checklist below

No
I have attached the appropriate Yes N/A
consent/assent form(s), please tick √

No
I have attached the appropriate Yes N/A
information letter(s), please tick √

Important Note: When preparing the above documents, you must use the template(s) provided by
MIE.

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Document Identifier: Student Ethics in Research Committee Application Form

5 Declaration
This page must be signed before submission:

I declare that the details in this application are the product of my own work and accurately
reflect my research proposal. I have consulted an authoritative set of educational research
ethics guidelines and with my Supervisor/Course Leader during the process of preparing
this application. I understand that any substantive changes to the proposed research
design may result in the requirement to submit another application for ethical approval to
SERC.

Student Signature: Date:

__________________________________________
_ 04/03/24

Supervisor/Course Leader Signature: Date:

__________________________________________ ___________________________
_ _

Final Approval Signed-Off by SERC

Signature: Date:
__________________________________________ ___________________________
_ _

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