Do you need ethical approval for a systematic review?
What needs ethics approval?Overview of the Ethics Approval ProcessThe information below details the process of applying for Human Ethics Approval for research to be undertaken at the University of Newcastle. If you require further assistance with your application, please contact a Human Research Ethics Officer. Show
1. What human research requires ethics approval?Ethics approval must be sought for research involving human participants. A 'participant' is someone who:
BACK TO TOP 2. What research is exempt from ethics approval?Use of data, documents or records that are all publicly available, e.g. publicly accessible archives or publications. BACK TO TOP 3. Who needs to apply for ethics approval?All human research projects conducted at the University, or by staff and students of the University, require ethical approval before the research can commence. Applications to the HRECforstudent research projects are to be submitted under the supervisor's name with the student identified as the student researcher. BACK TO TOP 4. How are applications reviewed?The University of Newcastle HREC has 3 levels of review to streamline the review of applications for human ethics approval. Two of these levels are expedited review. Modelled on the human research ethics processes at Griffith University,the level of review is determined by the level of risk to participants that is posed by the research described in the application. Risk is the potential for harm, whether it is physical, psychological, social, economic, or legal, or the potential to cause people to think they have been treated disrespectfully.
Please note: response timesvary depending on the level of review. Please see the submission dates and response times page for further information. BACK TO TOP 5. How to access Application FormsApplication eForms can be accessed by logging into the Research Information Management System (RIMS).
These eForms provide guidance to completing the questions. User guides and help material for RIMS can be found at the Research Information Management System (RIMS) support pages of the University's website. BACK TO TOP 6. Closing date for applicationsRefer to the submission dates and response times page. BACK TO TOP 7. Notification of decisionsApplicants receiveemailed notification of the decision on their application. BACK TO TOP 8. Further information and helpThe principle point of reference for researchers and the HREC is the NHMRC's National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research. The primary purpose of the National Statement is the protection of the welfare and rights of participants in research. It is binding on all institutions and organisations that receive research funding from the Australian government, including the University of Newcastle. Support - Students should consult their supervisors for advice and assistance in the first instance. Research Ethics Advisors (REAs) - at the School/Faculty level REAs provide local support to researchers, both staff and students, to design ethically acceptable human research and assist them through the ethics approval process. Any enquiries you have should be directed to a Research Ethics Advisor in the first instance. If you still have questions, further assistance can be obtained from the Human Research Ethics staff. BACK TO TOP 9. Research conducted in another institution/organisationa. Hunter New England HealthIf research involves patients, facilities or records of Hunter New England Health, an application for ethics approval must be made to the Hunter New England Health Research Ethics Committee (HNEHREC). In most cases if the research is to be conducted by staff or students of the University of Newcastle, provided approval is granted by the HNEHREC,it will not be necessary to make a full application to the University HREC. However the HNEHREC approval must be registered with the University HREC within 14 days. Please note: Researchers will not be covered by the University insurance provisions if the project is not registered.Refer to the Human Research involving the University of Newcastle and Hunter New England Health procedures for further details. Contact b. NSW Department of EducationIn most cases, for research involving NSW government pre-schools or schools, an application must be made to the NSW Department of Education via its State Education Research Applications Process (SERAP). Contact informationIf you have any inquiries in relation to SERAP, please contact: Robert Stevens Please Note: The study information/invitation for research participants that is submitted to the NSW Department of Education as part of an application for approval to conduct the research in government schools must be the same version as that submitted to and/or approved by the University's HREC. It will be necessary to draft a document that takes into account the guidelines of both the SERAP Guidelines and the University's Information Statement and Consent Forms Guidelines and Template document. BACK TO TOP 10. Conjoint Staff and Honorary AssociatesConjoint staff and honorary associates of the University of Newcastle who are chief investigators on human research projects are required to submit an application to the University'sHREC if any of the following apply:
Please Note: The University of Newcastle and Hunter New England Health have entered into an agreement regarding human ethics review of proposals that would normally require submission to the human research ethics committees of both institutions. If your proposal involves both institutions, whether by virtue of where the research will be conducted or the affiliations of the researchers involved, please refer to the agreed procedures listed on the Human Research Involving the University of Newcastle and Hunter New England Health Procedures page. BACK TO TOP |