Frequently Asked Questions

How do I access the system

You can log into the system using your Middlesex University Student email address and password.

I can't log in MORE online could you help me reset my password.

You will need to contact UniHelp Desk for them to assist you change your password.

How do I start completing the application form

Once you have logged in to Middlesex Online Research Ethics (MORE) you will be automatically taken to your own personalised work area. On the left hand side of the screen, under the ‘Actions’ drop down column there will be the option to ‘Create Project’. Clicking on this tile will then prompt you to enter the title of your project and to identify if you are making an application for your own research (Full Application Form). Click the 1 on the right centre of your screen. PLEASE NOTE: To manoeuvre around the screen you can either use the “Next”, or the “Previous” button. Alternatively, you can through the sections by clicking on on the section numbers located at the centre right of your screen to move to the sections of the application form.

Who am I? Question 1.1

If you are a students please click 'yes' button. If you are a member of staff then you should click 'No'. you are now referred to as and Principal Investigator.

How do I complete the resubmission of my application.

in Question 1.1f click yes i am resubmitting my application.

Saving Your Application

You should save your application at regular intervals while completing the form.

Can I share with co-collaboarators

Yes! This can be done by logging in, selecting the relevant project and then clicking on ‘Share’ in the Actions column on the left hand side of the screen. A pop-up window will then appear and will prompt you to enter the Middlesex University email addresses of those you wish to share the form with. You must ensure that you use MDX email address. You then select the level of access you wish to grant others. You can select either 'read-only' or 'full access' as required. Please click on the ‘plus sign’ to add further names -Please click on ‘share’ to confirm. Individual users must register on the site to be able to login and view the shared application forms.

Can I remove Collaborators names

Yes! To remove access granted, please click on ‘Collaborators’ in the left ‘Actions’ column. Then click on ‘cancel’ alongside the relevant names listed.

When completing the 'Signature Request' do I add my email address.

No, you must enter your Supervisors Email address. This will allow them to have access to your application and give you feedback on it.

I am trying to complete a 'Signature Request' but the system does not recognise my Supervisors email address.

Contact More Support at MoreSupport@mdx.ac.uk inform them of the situation and provide them with your supervisors name. More Support will arrange to have your supervisor set up on the system.

I just obtained a signature from my supervisor to re-submit my ethics form, however the system is still not allowing me to submit it.

You may need to update application using the Blue 'Update' button at the top of the screen.

Where can I find the documentation require to compete the Ethics form.

Templates for the documentation required to complete your application can be found online in the Help Section, alternatively they can be found at MORE web page: http://mdx.mrooms.net/course/view.php?id=12277 (Login required) in Section 4.

I submitted my application but have not had a reviewer feedback for a while.

A. Check you have clicked the Submit button. A. have you submitted you application to the correct Committee A. Contact your Committee Administrator, or Contact More Support at MORESupport@mdx.ac.uk

The status of my application It appears as 'Under Review. Does this  mean I do not need to submit it?

This means that your application has been submitted successfully and is being reviewed by someone within your committee.

Why have i seen a blank Page

This because the questions on this page are dependent on your previous section. please go back and ensure you have completed all questions.

Name not appearing in my application

Contact MORESupport@mdx.ac.uk with your University Email Address and inform them of the situation.

I submitted my application by mistake and now it is Locked (for review)

A. Contact the Committee Administrator to ‘reject your application to unlock your application.

I want to remove an application form my account

Use the ‘Delete Project’ button on the left of screen in your ‘Work Area’. PLEASE NOTE This only works if it has not been submitted.

I live in Denmark and my application is coming out in Danish, is this a problem?

The system will automatically convert it back to English on our systems

I have completed my application but am unable to complete the ‘Signature Request’ to my Supervisor

A. If the email remains Red then your supervisor has not logged onto the system. A box will appear at the bottom of the ‘pop-up’ giving you the option to invite your supervisor to log onto to MORE. PLEASE NOTE: this can only be used with Middlesex University email addresses. A. Contact your Committee Administrator, or Contact MORESupport@mdx.ac.uk

Definition of minimal risk

Minimal Risk - this means that none of the factors listed in Q3.1b are included in this research application. 1. The research is not empirical and does not involve primary data collection or human participation or animal subjects, and/or the research involves information about human subjects which is held publicly and is lawfully available e.g., information published in the census, population statistics published by government departments, personal letters, diaries etc held in public libraries and scientific publications, or the research requires ethical approval of another body/institution (e.g., NHS, NRES). 2. The research involves human participants who have volunteered without incentive or coercion to receive and complete questionnaires, or to be interviewed by you. The research participants are fully informed and may withdraw at any time without penalty. 3. The research involves human participants who have volunteered without incentive or coercion to participate in discussion or focus groups. The research participants are fully informed and may withdraw at any time without penalty. 4. The research involves human participants who have freely agreed to be observed. The research participants are fully informed and may withdraw at any time without penalty. 5. The research requires that human participants receive interventions that are commonly recognised as harmless (such as education, training). The research participants are fully informed and may withdraw at any time without penalty. 6. The research requires that human participants in categories 2 to 5 enter randomised controlled trials. The research participants are fully informed, and accept that they may either receive an intervention or are part of the control group, and may withdraw at any time without penalty. Processing minimal risk research applications: Once an application for ethical approval has been submitted, it will be allocated to nominated reviewers from the relevant Research Ethics Committee (or, in the case of student applications, to the supervisors) for initial review. The nominated reviewers (or supervisors) will determine whether the proposed project involves more than minimal risk. If the project does not involve more than minimal risk, the nominated reviewers (or supervisors) may approve it; otherwise, the application will be escalated to the Research Ethics Committee for review by an assigned reviewer.

Definition of more than minimal risk

The University uses the definition of 'more than minimal risk' taken from The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Framework for Research Ethics (2015) http://www.esrc.ac.uk/funding/guidance-for-applicants/research-ethics/ Definition of 'more than minimal risk' The following kinds of research would therefore be considered as involving more than minimal risk: 1) The research involves potentially vulnerable participants: i) Those whose competence to exercise informed consent is in doubt or may be duly influenced, e.g., children and adolescents under 18yrs of age, individuals who lack mental capacity, clinical populations, individuals with basic or elementary knowledge of the language in which the research is conducted, individuals with disabilities or learning difficulties, individuals under the influence of drugs or alcohol etc. Research involving those who lack capacity to give consent; “…a person lacks capacity in relation to a matter if at the material time he is unable to make a decision for himself in relation to the matter because of an impairment of, or a disturbance in the functioning of, the mind or brain”. For guidance on this see https://connect.le.ac.uk/alctoolkit/ The toolkit covers the provisions of the Mental Capacity Act 200 (Remember to save this application before leaving the website) ii) Those who are dependent on or influenced by gatekeepers, e.g., the elderly, members of armed forces, prisoners, asylum seekers, employees of organisations etc. 2) The research involves sensitive topics (e.g., illegal, violent, sexual behaviours etc) and/or sexuality explicit material/issues Research involving sensitive topics; - for guidance - http://www.rf.buffalostate.edu/downloads/Socially_Sensitive_Research.pdf http://www4.ncsu.edu/~pollock/pdfs/ST%20432%20Sensitive%20Topics%20Lecture.pdf for overview (Remember to save this application before leaving the website) 3) The research requires that human participants will be offered inducements (such as payment or some other reward) or will be coerced to accept involvement 4) The research requires that non-participating human participants will be disadvantaged by a refusal to be involved in the project 5) The research requires that human participants will not be fully informed of, or will be unable to understand the purpose of the research or will be deceived 6) The research requires that human participants or animal subjects will be unable to withdraw at any time without penalty (e.g., under hypnosis)The research requires that human participation or animal subjects are to be given substances (ingested, injected or applied) or are to experience an intervention not already established as safe to the standard required by the research proposal 7) The research requires that human participation or animal subjects are likely to become distressed or humiliated 8) The research involves access to personal records or sensitive confidential information for identifiable individuals 9) The research is to be undertaken outside of the UK where sensitivities may arise due to social, political and cultural differences 10) Research where the safety of the researcher may be in question; 11) Research involving respondents through the internet; 12) Other research involving visual/vocal methods

My name is not appearing in the Application

Contact MORESupport@mdx.ac.uk with your University Email Address and inform them of the situation from your University email address and your full name.

I submitted my application but have not had a reviewer feedback for a while.

A. Check you have clicked the Submit button. A. have you submitted you application to the correct Committee. Please Contact your Committee Administrator, or Contact MORESupport@mdx.ac.uk A. Contact your Committee Administrator, or Contact MORESupport@mdx.ac.uk

I have gained approval for ethics but need to make to changes to my application

Go to ‘Create Sub-Form’ and create an Amendment Form.

I have not completed my data collection in accordance to the start and end date on my application, what do I do.

Go to ‘Create Sub-Form’ and create an Extension Form.

My Supervisor has requested that I Share my application with them so as to assist me.

A. The applicant will need to Share their application with you as the Supervisor by clicking the Share button on the left on the screen. Please remember tick the read and write buttons.

The Trust I intend to do my research with have send me an email from the Information Governance lead that they have authorised for the work - but it was not written on their letterhead.

you will have to use the Gatekeeper Letter Template which can be found online in the Help Section, alternatively they can be found at MORE web page: http://mdx.mrooms.net/course/view.php?id=12277 (Login required) in Section 4.

I am returning to my home country do I still need to complete a Travel Approval Form

Distance Education students and students returning to their country of residence do not have to complete and Travel Approval form.

Why do I have to complete a Travel Approval Form

If you  are traveling outside your country or ‘normal residency’ then you will need to complete the form. You will also need to  check with the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) that it as safe to travel the said country.

What if the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) define the country I wish to travel to as ‘unsafe’.

You will not be able to travel until your form has been signed off by either the Dean or Deputy Dean of your school.

Is there anything I need to know about uploading my documents.

When uploading documents please remember to add the date and a Version number. This is so your Supervisor and the Reviewer know which is the most recent upload document.

How do I upload additional documents

You can add additional documentation in Section 8 Question 8.1b