Submitting an application to the Ethics Committee

To gain a deeper understanding of witchcraft, the student will conduct research in the form of interviews with individuals who have a history with, or currently practice witchcraft. The aim is to explore people’s personal experiences, understand the stigmas surrounding the practice and to increase awareness and acceptance. Many people misunderstand witchcraft, believing it to be connected to satanism or being evil, however that may not be the reality in many cases. (Thiruchittampalam, 2019).

To conduct this research, the student must first submit an application to the Ethics Committee. This is a highly important first step to any research project utilising qualitative research, as this will ensure the research will be done ethically and will follow any legal legislation such as The Data Protection Act (1998) and GDPR (2018). Following this ensures any participants included in the research will have their personal data protected and ensure they will not be disclosing any more than necessary. Guidelines set by the British Educational Research Association (BERA) will also have to be abided by. Following BERA guidelines ensures that the research is inclusive and operates within an ethic of respect for anyone involved. (BERA, 2018). BERA also states “the confidential and anonymous treatment of participants’ data is considered the norm for the conduct of research.” (BERA, 2018).

Not only does applying to the ethics committee ensure the research is carried out ethically, but it ensures the research that will be carried out will not cause unnecessary harm, physical or emotional, to the participants. It ensures all participants are capable to consent for themselves to take part and provides them with full informed consent, with their right to withdraw from the project at any time.

-Jess

References:

• British Educational Research Association [BERA] (2018) Ethical Guidelines for Educational Research, 4th edn, London.

• Thiruchittampalam, B. (2019) Totally witchin’: Unpacking witchcraft and its surrounding stigma [Online]. Available at: https://udreview.com/totally-witchin-unpacking-witchcraft-and-its-surrounding-stigma/ (Accessed 26 December 2021).