Human Research Ethics
Important note: From 2 April 2012 it is compulsory for all staff and students submitting an ethics application for the first time at Deakin (either DUHREC or HEAG) to complete human research ethics training. This may be done in person or online. Once training is completed, you must take the quiz on the Human Ethics Cloud Deakin site to obtain your email confirming completion. This can then be submitted with your application. If you have already been listed as a researcher on a successful application submitted prior to 2 April, you are exempt from this requirement. Please note: Human Ethics training and Research Integrity training cover different material. Completing Research Integrity training is not sufficient to meet the compulsory Human Ethics training requirements above. *To gain access to online training you will need to log into Cloud Deakin, click on self-register and select the "Office of Research Integrity". The site will then appear within the My Sites area of your Cloud Deakin homepage. |
All Deakin staff members and students who plan to carry out research involving human participants, require ethical clearance from the Deakin University Human Research Ethics Committee (DUHREC) or a Faculty Human Ethics Advisory Group (HEAG) before proceeding.
Research involving humans includes, but is not limited to:
- surveys
- interviews
- exercises
- experiments (both psychological and physical)
- close observation
- depiction (including photographs and videos)
- use of identifiable personal records
- etc
The University Human Ethics website is updated regularly to reflect changes in policy and procedure and should be the principal reference for staff and students. It includes the one-stop Human Research Ethics Manual.
In addition, Deakin Research Integrity (RI) provides ongoing training sessions regarding the ethics process and runs pre-submission clinics for staff and students new to ethics or for research supervisors wishing to refresh their knowledge of the guidelines and procedures. Enrolment for these events can be made by registering.
Low Risk Research applications
The Faculty HEAG will assess and review applications deemed low risk research throughout the year. If you are uncertain whether your project is Low Risk and suitable for review at Faculty level, you can check by answering a few simple questions via the Human Ethics Quickstart Tool. Research which is not low risk must apply for ethics approval through the full DUHREC process Human Research Ethics website.
Once you are confident the project is Low Risk, you can access the Low Risk research application form and Low Risk Plain Language Statement (PLS)/Consent templates for completion and submission to the Faculty HEAG via the RI Ethics forms website. The Low Risk form incorporates a two page checklist of questions at the front which will help determine risk and suitability for Faculty review. Students should work through parts A & B with their supervisor.
Please note that the Low Risk form replaces the online National Ethics Application Form (NEAF) and should only be used for Low Risk research projects being reviewed by the Faculty HEAG.
Applications are to be submitted via the online submission tool. It is imperative the low risk application form is signed by all parties including the Head of School. Electronic signatures or scanned signed forms will be accepted. It should be noted that the Faculty HEAG and/or DUHREC may need to audit a project as part of the requirements for the monitoring set out in the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Research (2007).
Low Risk research applications comprise of the following documents:
-
The Low Risk Application Form (signed by all parties)
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Plain Language Statement and Consent Form (must use templates provided)
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Email confirmation for completion of compulsory online Human Ethics quiz
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Other documents related to your project including advertisements, questionnaires, interview questions/schedules, flyers etc.
Please note: All applications are to be submitted via the online submission tool and must be signed by all parties prior to submission.
Notification of Outcomes - Low Risk applications
The Faculty HEAG recommendations and details of the review will be emailed to the researcher/s normally within 15 working days after submission. Once any amendments (if applicable) have been made to the satisfaction of the Faculty reviewers, the researcher/s will receive a formal letter of approval. This letter will outline the conditions of approval and any further requirements to be completed before the project can commence.
Notification of referral to DUHREC
If your application is submitted for Faculty HEAG review but it assessed as not Low Risk, the researcher/s will be notified immediately and requested to submit a completed NEAF with supporting documentation to DUHREC for full review. Checking the Human Ethics Quickstart Tool and the two page checklist on the Low Risk form before making an application should help determine the level of risk and the correct form to use and where to submit.
Higher than Low Risk
After checking the Human Ethics Quickstart Tool and/or the Low Risk application checklist, if you consider your project is Higher than Low Risk you should prepare the online NEAF and supplementary documents and submit directly to DUHREC in time for the next scheduled meeting. The researcher/s will be notified by DRI by email the outcome of the full review within 3 - 4 weeks of the meeting. DUHREC meetings and submission details are available at the RI Human Research Ethics website. Links to the NEAF and Higher than Low Risk templates are also available via the RI Ethics forms website.
Final Reports and Modifications
Information regarding final reports and modification requests of previously approved projects is available via the RI Ethics forms website.
Faculty Ethics contact
If you have any questions regarding human research ethics, including Low Risk review, meeting dates, submission and reporting, please contact
Kylie Koulkoudinas
Ethics Secretariat
Faculty of Arts and Education
Ph: +61 3 5227 2368
Email:artsed-ethics@deakin.edu.au
| Please note the Faculty HEAG office will be closed Friday 13th December 2013 until Monday 6th January 2014. Any applications received during this time will be dealt with after 6th January 2014. |
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