Learning to Become a More Ethically Focused Practitioner Researcher: Developing Through the Research Ethics Process

ABSTRACT This article captures the learning I gained through the initial rejection of my NHS ethics application as a novice practitioner researcher in England. It explores my use of reflection, sensitive research guidelines and engagement of people with lived experience in becoming a more ethically informed researcher. The focus of the proposed research study, of which the ethics application relates, focused on the experience of Mental Health Act assessment by service users. This is a sensitive subject as it raises emotions and may produce distress. An overarching participatory approach was eventually used in this study, although the people with lived experience initially had no involvement in the ethics application process.