Question of ethics in my paperwork

IN ORDER to carry out fieldwork for my PhD, I’ve applied for clearance from my department’s ethics committee. My study involves students in my department, so I need to show there are no conflicting interests.

Unsurprisingly, the ethics paperwork was less about rigorous moral questioning and more about protecting participants (and protecting the university from lawsuits). Will participants be risking physical danger or psychological distress? Will their in...