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When is
Ethical clearance required?
Ethical clearance is required for all research that involves human
participants, such as use of questionnaires or interviews, Social Sciences
surveys, collection of cultural data from individuals or their records,
access to personal records, investigations of human behaviour, routine
testing of human subjects, testing of new therapies, or any experimentation
on human beings. All human research is governed by a set of National
Guidelines against which the Ethics Committee must review all protocols.
The National Statement mandates the establishment of human research ethics
committees to review all research projects involving human participation.
The National guidelines for ethics in human research can be viewed
here.
Process for Submission of Human Ethics Protocols
All human ethics applications are submitted online with accompanying signed hard copies to be submitted to the Human Ethics Officer at the ANU.
The online application system, ARIES, can be accessed here: http://www.anu.edu.au/ro/ORI/human.php
Prior to submitting an online protocol, researchers should consider a number of issues which will require explanation in the application, including:
- Description of research project
- Description of methodology
- Benefits of the research
- Participant information (how many, who will be targeted, how will they be approached)
- How will informed consent be obtained
- Secure storage of research data
- Provision of channels through which participants can provide feedback/ask questions
- How will confidentiality be assured
Please read the User Guide and other documentation accessible via the above link prior to submitting a protocol. Any queries about research ethics can be forwarded to Human.Ethics.Officer@anu.edu.au
CBE Ethical Review Process
Whilst all ethics protocols are submitted directly to the Human Ethics Officer at the ANU, the fact that the Delegated Research Ethics Committee (DERC) meets fortnightly, means that if initially rejected or where aspects are deemed to require further clarification, it can take some time for protocols to receive approval.
To maximize the chances of first time approval, CBE offers a review service whereby staff who have served on ethics committees will undertake a review and provide feedback to the applicant.
To have your protocol reviewed prior to submission, please print out a copy of your protocol once completed and forward it to rso.cbe@anu.edu.au
**Please note – do not click the ‘submit’ button when you have completed your protocol ready for printing. Click the ‘save’ button and it will remain in draft form so that if any changes are required you are still able to edit your protocol accordingly prior to final submission.
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