Research Ethics Systems, Processes, and Awareness across Europe: Radiography research ethics standards for Europe (RRESFE)

S. Bockhold; J. McNully; E. Abdurakman; P. Bezzina; N. Drey; A. England; D. Flinton; R. Khine; M. McEntee; N. Mekis; Helle Precht; L. Rainford; C. Sa Dos Reis; A. Santos; V. Syrgiamitos; S. Willis; J. Woodley; C. Beardmore; R. Harris; T. O´Regan; C. Malamateniou

doi:10.1016/j.radi.2022.07.002

Research Ethics Systems, Processes, and Awareness across Europe: Radiography research ethics standards for Europe (RRESFE)

S. Bockhold
, J. McNully
, E. Abdurakman
, P. Bezzina
, N. Drey
, A. England
, D. Flinton
, R. Khine
, M. McEntee
, N. Mekis
, Helle Precht
, L. Rainford
, C. Sa Dos Reis
, A. Santos
, V. Syrgiamitos
, S. Willis
, J. Woodley
, C. Beardmore
, R. Harris
, T. O´Regan

C. Malamateniou

Anvendt Sundhedsforskning

University College Dublin
City University London
Univesity of Malta
University College Cork
University of Buckingham
University of Ljubljana
University of Southern Denmark
Radiological Medical Imaging Technology, School of Health Sciences, University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland
ESTESC-Coimbra Health School
University of West Attica
University of the West of England
Society and College of Radiographers

Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review

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 =
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.

Original language	English
Journal	Radiography
Pages (from-to)	1032-1041
ISSN	1078-8174
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radi.2022.07.002
Publication status	Published - Nov 2022

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10.1016/j.radi.2022.07.002

Cite this

Bockhold, S., McNully, J., Abdurakman, E., Bezzina, P., Drey, N., England, A., Flinton, D., Khine, R., McEntee, M., Mekis, N., Precht, H., Rainford, L., Sa Dos Reis, C., Santos, A., Syrgiamitos, V., Willis, S., Woodley, J., Beardmore, C., Harris, R., ... Malamateniou, C. (2022). Research Ethics Systems, Processes, and Awareness across Europe: Radiography research ethics standards for Europe (RRESFE). Radiography, 1032-1041. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radi.2022.07.002

@article{3af9ac2649a049779d22dd6bd750e20b,

title = "Research Ethics Systems, Processes, and Awareness across Europe: Radiography research ethics standards for Europe (RRESFE)",

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 = 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.",

author = "S. Bockhold and J. McNully and E. Abdurakman and P. Bezzina and N. Drey and A. England and D. Flinton and R. Khine and M. McEntee and N. Mekis and Helle Precht and L. Rainford and \{Sa Dos Reis\}, C. and A. Santos and V. Syrgiamitos and S. Willis and J. Woodley and C. Beardmore and R. Harris and T. O´Regan and C. Malamateniou",

year = "2022",

month = nov,

doi = "10.1016/j.radi.2022.07.002",

language = "English",

pages = "1032--1041",

journal = "Radiography",

issn = "1078-8174",

publisher = "W.B. Saunders Ltd",

}

Bockhold, S, McNully, J, Abdurakman, E, Bezzina, P, Drey, N, England, A, Flinton, D, Khine, R, McEntee, M, Mekis, N, Precht, H, Rainford, L, Sa Dos Reis, C, Santos, A, Syrgiamitos, V, Willis, S, Woodley, J, Beardmore, C, Harris, R, O´Regan, T & Malamateniou, C 2022, 'Research Ethics Systems, Processes, and Awareness across Europe: Radiography research ethics standards for Europe (RRESFE)', Radiography, pp. 1032-1041. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radi.2022.07.002

TY - JOUR

T1 - Research Ethics Systems, Processes, and Awareness across Europe

T2 - Radiography research ethics standards for Europe (RRESFE)

AU - Bockhold, S.

AU - McNully, J.

AU - Abdurakman, E.

AU - Bezzina, P.

AU - Drey, N.

AU - England, A.

AU - Flinton, D.

AU - Khine, R.

AU - McEntee, M.

AU - Mekis, N.

AU - Precht, Helle

AU - Rainford, L.

AU - Sa Dos Reis, C.

AU - Santos, A.

AU - Syrgiamitos, V.

AU - Willis, S.

AU - Woodley, J.

AU - Beardmore, C.

AU - Harris, R.

AU - O´Regan, T.

AU - Malamateniou, C.

PY - 2022/11

Y1 - 2022/11

N2 - 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 = 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.

AB - 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 = 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.

U2 - 10.1016/j.radi.2022.07.002

DO - 10.1016/j.radi.2022.07.002

M3 - Journal article

SN - 1078-8174

SP - 1032

EP - 1041

JO - Radiography

JF - Radiography

ER -