Ethical issues in research: 3 common mistakes in ethical approval applications and how to avoid them

Applying for ethical approval is a fundamental step in the research journey, yet it’s one that many researchers find confusing, time-consuming, or even intimidating. Ethics can sometimes be mistaken for a box-ticking exercise or an administrative barrier, but in reality, it sits at the heart of responsible and credible research.

Whether you’re designing a student dissertation, an academic study, or an independent project, ethical review ensures that your work protects participants, safeguards researchers, and upholds professional and legal standards. This blog explores the practical realities behind ethical review and research ethics more broadly. We’ll look at why ethical scrutiny matters, the types of studies where ethical issues commonly arise, the often-overlooked risks to researchers themselves, and the importance of robust data governance. Most importantly, we’ll highlight three common mistakes researchers make when submitting ethical approval applications , and how to avoid them. This is taken from our research consultancy and ethics committee services.

Ethical Issues in Research Proposal:

What is the purpose of an ethical review?

When we talk about ethical review, it can sometimes sound like a bureaucratic hurdle to jump over, but in reality, it plays a vital protective role in research.

• Ethical review is designed to safeguard everyone involved: participants, researchers, and the wider institution. It ensures that a study is not only scientifically worthwhile but also conducted with respect, fairness, and care for human wellbeing.

• At its heart, ethics review asks a simple question: Is this research being carried out responsibly and with minimal risk of harm?

Because of this, ethical considerations must be explicitly spelled out in a research proposal rather than left implied. Reviewers cannot assume what the researcher intends to do, they need to see it clearly documented.

• This includes explaining how informed consent will be obtained, how participants’ privacy and confidentiality will be protected, how data will be securely stored and managed, and how any potential risks will be identified and reduced.

Ethical clarity is especially important when research involves vulnerable populations, sensitive topics, or procedures that may cause distress, discomfort, or unintended consequences.

Why is adequate detail and considerations needed?

Adequate detail is key. Ethics committees are not simply checking boxes; they are evaluating whether the researcher has genuinely considered the possible impacts of the study.

Ethical issues and risks can take many forms:

• Psychological

• Emotional

• Social

• Physical

• Reputational

• Data-related

Proposals should demonstrate thoughtful risk assessment and mitigation strategies.

When proposals lack sufficient detail, contain inconsistencies, or overlook potential harms, committees will usually request amendments.

While this may feel frustrating to researchers eager to begin, amendments are actually a sign that the review process is working as intended.

They help strengthen the study, close ethical gaps, and prevent problems before they occur. Rather than acting as barriers, these revisions function as a safety net, improving research quality, protecting participants, and reinforcing public trust in research practices.

Ultimately, a strong research proposal is one where ethical thinking is woven throughout, not added as an afterthought.

Clear, transparent ethical planning signals professionalism, preparedness, and respect for those who make research possible: the participants themselves.

Research Studies with ethical issues:

In simple terms, most research involving people, animals, or sensitive data carries ethical considerations. Ethics is not reserved for high-risk clinical trials, it applies to everyday academic projects, student dissertations, and social research alike. The key question is not whether a study is “dangerous,” but whether it has the potential to affect wellbeing, privacy, dignity, or rights.

Let’s recap some common types of research where ethical issues need careful thought and management:

• Primary research: This includes methods such as interviews, surveys, experiments, observations, and focus groups, all of which involve collecting new data directly from participants. Because researchers are interacting with individuals or gathering potentially identifiable information, ethical approval is typically required. Even seemingly low-risk activities, like an anonymous questionnaire, still require consideration of consent, data protection, and participant comfort.

• Research involving human participants: Regardless of the discipline, researchers must address core principles: obtaining informed consent, maintaining confidentiality, minimising potential harm or distress, and respecting the participant’s right to withdraw at any time. These are not optional extras; they are fundamental safeguards. Without them, research cannot proceed.

• Research involving animals: Since animals cannot provide consent, studies must demonstrate strong justification, clear necessity, and rigorous measures to protect welfare. Ethical review bodies will look closely at how suffering is minimised, how humane treatment is ensured, and whether alternatives to animal use have been adequately considered. The threshold for approval is understandably high.

• Social sciences and psychology research: Studies exploring behaviour, attitudes, identity, trauma, or mental processes may raise issues around emotional sensitivity, privacy, power imbalances, and the involvement of vulnerable populations. Researchers must think beyond procedural ethics and consider relational and contextual factors. For example, how questions may be interpreted, or how participation might feel for someone in a sensitive situation.

Ultimately, ethical issues are not a sign that research is problematic, they are a natural part of studying living beings and real-world experiences. Good research design anticipates these challenges, plans for them transparently, and places participant welfare at the centre. Ethics, in this sense, is not a barrier to research; it is what makes research responsible, credible, and worthy of trust.

Risks to the Researcher

Research ethics is not solely concerned with participant protection, it also requires careful consideration of the researcher’s wellbeing and safety.

• Engaging with emotionally sensitive topics, such as trauma, bereavement, abuse, or mental health difficulties, can place researchers at risk of emotional distress or personal upset.

• Listening to difficult experiences, particularly over extended periods, may lead to secondary trauma, where the researcher experiences stress reactions similar to those of the participants.

• This can manifest as fatigue, anxiety, reduced concentration, sleep disturbances, or emotional withdrawal. In some cases, researchers may also face physical risks, especially during fieldwork conducted in unfamiliar environments, private homes, or high-risk settings.

To mitigate these challenges, ethical planning should include proactive support mechanisms. Supervision plays a crucial role, providing a structured space to process experiences, discuss emotional responses, and maintain professional boundaries. Similarly, opportunities for reflection and debriefing help researchers recognise early signs of stress and prevent burnout. Clear risk assessments, lone-working policies, and safety protocols are essential where physical safety may be a concern. Establishing boundaries, managing workload, and accessing peer or institutional support are equally important strategies.

Recognising risks to the researcher is not about discouraging sensitive research, it is about ensuring that research remains ethical, sustainable, and psychologically safe for everyone involved. A well-supported researcher is better equipped to engage empathetically, think critically, and conduct high-quality research without compromising their own health.

Data Governance:

Robust data governance is a cornerstone of ethical research, yet it is often underestimated during study planning.

1. Without clear policies and procedures, researchers risk serious pitfalls including data breaches, loss of confidentiality, misuse of sensitive information, and non-compliance with legal frameworks such as data protection regulations.

2. Poor governance can also lead to practical consequences: corrupted datasets, unclear data ownership, inconsistent storage practices, and difficulties in auditing or reproducing findings.

3. Beyond legal and operational risks, weak data governance can erode participant trust and damage institutional credibility.

These risks can be mitigated through transparent data management plans, secure storage systems, controlled access, encryption, anonymisation or pseudonymisation strategies, and defined retention and disposal protocols. Regular training, ethical oversight, and adherence to recognised standards ensure that data is handled responsibly, securely, and in a way that protects both participants and the integrity of the research.

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