Research ethics systems, processes, and awareness across Europe: Radiography research ethics standards for Europe (RRESFE)

Bockhold, S.; McNulty, J.; Abdurakman, E.; Bezzina, P.; Drey, N.; England, A.; Flinton, D.; Khine, R.; McEntee, M.; Mekiš, N.; Precht, H.; Rainford, L.; Sá dos Reis, C.; Santos, A.; Syrgiamiotis, V.; Willis, S.; Woodley, J.; Beardmore, C.; Harris, R.; O'Regan, T.; Malamateniou, C.

Abstract

Introduction: The Radiography Research Ethics Standards for Europe (RRESFE) project aims to provide a cross-sectional snapshot of current research ethics systems, processes, and awareness of such, across Europe together with identifying the associated challenges, education, and training needs. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey targeting radiography researchers in Europe was conducted. Data collection took place between April 26 and July 12, 2021, using a snowball sampling approach. Descriptive and analytical statistics were used to identify trends in research ethics frameworks across Europe. Results: 285 responses were received across 33 European and 23 non-European countries. Most (n = 221; 95%) European respondents stated ethics approval is required before commencing research in their country. Requirements around research ethics approval and awareness of such requirements varied by European region (X2 (2, n = 129) = 7.234, p = 0.013) and were found to differ depending on the type of research participant and study design. Additionally, European respondents reported ethics approval is a national requirement more often than their non-European counterparts (X2 (1, n = 282) = 4.316, p = 0.049). Requirements for ethics approval were also associated with the undergraduate programme duration (2-year vs. 3-year vs. 3.5 year vs. 4-year vs. multiple programme durations; X2 (4, n = 231) = 10.075, p = 0.016) and availability of postgraduate training (postgraduate training available vs. postgraduate training not available; X2 (1, n = 231) = 15.448, p = <0.001) within respondents’ country. Conclusion: Respondents from countries with longer programme durations/availability of multiple programme lengths, availability of postgraduate training, and establishment of European Qualifications Framework Level 6 were generally associated with less uncertainty and more comprehensive research ethics requirements. Implications for practice: Results are informative of the current status of research ethics within evidence-based radiography.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jul 2, 2022
• Online Publication Date: Aug 11, 2022
• Publication Date: Nov 1, 2022
• Deposit Date: Sep 2, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Sep 5, 2022
• Journal: Radiography
• Print ISSN: 1078-8174
• Electronic ISSN: 1532-2831
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 28
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 1032-1041
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radi.2022.07.002
• Keywords: Research ethics, Radiography, Standards, Processes
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/9891268
• Publisher URL: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1078817422000967?via%3Dihub
• Related Public URLs: Supplementary data to this article can be found online at; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radi.2022.07.002