Statistical review by research ethics committees

  1. P. Williamson1,
  2. J. L. Hutton2,
  3. J. Bliss3,
  4. J. Blunt4,
  5. M. J. Campbell5,
  6. R. Nicholson6

Article first published online: 27 FEB 2002

DOI: 10.1111/1467-985X.00152

Issue

Journal of the Royal Statistical Society: Series A (Statistics in Society)

Journal of the Royal Statistical Society: Series A (Statistics in Society)

Volume 163, Issue 1, pages 5–13, 2000

Additional Information

How to Cite

Williamson, P., Hutton, J. L., Bliss, J., Blunt, J., Campbell, M. J. and Nicholson, R. (2000), Statistical review by research ethics committees. Journal of the Royal Statistical Society: Series A (Statistics in Society), 163: 5–13. doi: 10.1111/1467-985X.00152

Author Information

  1. 1

    University of Liverpool, UK,

  2. 2

    University of Newcastle, UK,

  3. 3

    Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, UK,

  4. 4

    Salford Research Ethics Committee, UK,

  5. 5

    University of Sheffield, UK,

  6. 6

    Bulletin of Medical Ethics, London, UK

* Dr P. Williamson Department of Mathematical Sciences, Division of Statistics and Operational Research, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 3BX, UKprw@liv.ac.uk

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 27 FEB 2002
  2. Article first published online: 27 FEB 2002

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Keywords:

  • Research ethics committee;
  • Scientific validity;
  • Statistical review;
  • Statistician membership;
  • Survey

This paper discusses some of the issues surrounding statistical review by research ethics committees (RECs). A survey of local RECs in 1997 revealed that only 27/184 (15%) included a statistician member at that time, although 70/175 (40%) recognized the need for such. The role of the statistician member is considered and the paper includes a summary of a meeting of the Royal Statistical Society to discuss statistical issues that frequently arise in the review of REC applications. A list of minimum qualifications which RECs should expect from anyone claiming to be a statistician would be useful, together with a list of statisticians who are well qualified and willing to serve on RECs, and a list of training courses for REC members covering the appropriate statistical issues.

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