Social science research often relies on the participation of people in empirical studies. Researchers are aware of their special role in their relationship with the subjects. Appropriate measures must be taken to ensure the dignity and integrity of the people participating in research processes. The Faculty of Social Sciences, Media and Sport at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz therefore appointed an ethics committee in 2015, whose task it is to assess the ethical concerns of social science research at the faculty. It is recommended that the start of any social science research on humans should be linked to a positive assessment by the ethics committee. The committee therefore supports research at Faculty 02 with its advice and recommendations; it has the task of providing assistance in the assessment of ethical aspects when conducting research projects involving human subjects. However, this does not affect the fundamental responsibility of each researcher for the implementation of his or her research project; experience shows that the processing of an ethics application can take up to three months, or even longer if external expertise is required. Please be prepared for these times and submit your application for an ethics vote early enough, as you may only start your project once you have received the vote.

Contact:
Ass. jur. Laura Tittel
Managing Director FB 02
Georg Forster Building
Room 04.215
Tel: 06131 / 39 – 2 35 62

ethikkommissionfb02@uni-mainz.de