It has come to the attention of the publisher that the article Nazir O, Khan M, Sayers J (2026), “Bridging the gap between procedural and relational ethics in qualitative research: insights from the ethics review process”. Qualitative Research in Organizations and Management: An International Journal, Vol. 21 No. 5 pp. 19–42, doi: https://doi.org/10.1108/QROM-11-2024-2875, published Appendixes B and C with an ethics notification number that was intended to remain anonymised. This is now corrected and the anonymised version has been updated online. The revised appendix can be found below.
The publisher asks that Appendix be provided correctly at submission and confirmed at article proofing stage.
Appendix B Project Title
Approval of the application was declined for the following reasons (First Decision Letter):
The committee agree that this is an important study area, and the potential vulnerability of participants requires that the researcher thoroughly considers the ethical issues of the study.
The committee are concerned that there may be limited benefit to the participants in comparison to the risks involved in their taking part in the study. The committee agreed that the risks have not been adequately considered. There has been considerable study of this group (list of studies).
The participants could be considered a vulnerable group in this study. The applicant refers to the group as “underprivileged workers” and the title of the study explores “Modern slavery”. In terms of harm to the researcher it is noted there may be resistance to the applicant being there, but states that as an NGO worker he has “permission to continue”. This is not the same as having permission from the owners of the brick works to be there for the purposes of this research and his presence may well put himself and potentially the participants in a risky situation.
There is no information supplied as to how the participants will be identified and recruited.
The applicant refers to the NGO throughout the application but supplies no information. In terms of this research, the applicant is a researcher first and there is a blurring of the role as a researcher with that of a volunteer.
The researcher has not identified any potential harm to participants as individuals or as a group of workers from taking part in the research although there is a plan to interview workers on their working conditions which has the potential to reflect negatively on the plight of the workers and highlight negative findings about their employers. If workers were known to have co-operated with a study which highlights failings of their employers, it may potentially be a risk factor for those workers.
The committee agreed that more thought should be given to the information and consent process and communication with the participant group. The researcher has indicated that the participants will not be able to speak English, but no mention is made of whether they can read the information sheets/consent forms (and whether translated documents will be available to them).
A substantially revised application may be submitted for reconsideration.
Appendix C Standard Questions on Human Ethics Risk Assessment Form
Choosing “Yes” on any of these questions means a full ethics approval process is needed.
Does your research include:
1. Situations where the researcher may be at risk of harm
a. ○ No
b. ○ Yes
2. Use of a questionnaire or interview, whether or not it is anonymous, which might reasonably be expected to cause discomfort, embarrassment or psychological or spiritual harm to the participants.
a. ○ No
b. ○ Yes
3. Processes that are potentially disadvantageous to a person or group, such as the collection of information which may expose a person/group to discrimination.
a. ○ No
b. ○ Yes
4. Collection of information of illegal behaviour(s) gained during the research which could place the participants at risk of criminal or civil liability or be damaging to their financial standing, employability, professional or personal relationships.
a. ○ No
b. ○ Yes
5. Collection of blood, body fluid, tissue samples or other samples.
a. ○ No
b. ○ Yes
6. Any form of exercise regime, or deprivation (e.g. sleep or dietary).
a. ○ No
b. ○ Yes
7. Any form of physical examination (e.g. physical, radiation, ultrasound).
a. ○ No
b. ○ Yes
8. The administration of any form of drug, medicine (other than in the course of standard medical procedure), or placebo.
a. ○ No
b. ○ Yes
9. Physical pain, beyond mild discomfort.
a. ○ No
b. ○ Yes
10. Any teaching which involves the participation of students for a demonstration of procedures or phenomena which have potential for harm.
a. ○ No
b. ○ Yes
11. Participants whose identities are known to the researcher giving oral consent rather than written consent, other than for cultural reasons.
a. ○ No
b. ○ Yes
12. Participants who are unable to give informed consent.
a. ○ No
b. ○ Yes
13. Research on your own students/pupils.
a. ○ No
b. ○ Yes
14. The participation of children (seven (7) years old or younger).
a. ○ No
b. ○ Yes
15. The participation of children under sixteen (16) years old where active parental consent is not being sought.
a. ○ No
b. ○ Yes
16. Participants who are in a dependant situation, such as nursing home or prison, or patients highly dependent on medical care.
a. ○ No
b. ○ Yes
17. Participants who are vulnerable.
a. ○ No
b. ○ Yes
18. The use of previously collected identifiable personal information or research data for which there was no explicit consent for this research.
a. ○ No
b. ○ Yes
19. The use of previously collected biological samples for which there was no explicit consent for this research.
a. ○ No
b. ○ Yes
20. Any evaluation of organisational services or practices where information of a personal nature may be collected and where participants or the organisation may be identified.
a. ○ No
b. ○ Yes
21. Deception of the participants, including concealment or covert observations.
a. ○ No
b. ○ Yes
22. Conflict of interest situation for the researcher.
a. ○ No
b. ○ Yes
23. Payments or other financial inducements (other than reasonable reimbursement of travel expenses or time) to participants.
a. ○ No
b. ○ Yes
24. A requirement by an outside organisation (e.g. a funding organisation or a journal in which you wish to publish) for approval.
a. ○ No
b. ○ Yes
Researchers may also choose the full approval route for education and training purposes.
