Guide to Human Research Ethics

About Human Research Ethics

Research conducted at the University of Melbourne involving human subjects, regardless of how great or minimal the risk to participants, must gain approval from The Human Research Ethics Committee. Information and all forms relating to human ethics approval are available on the Melbourne Research Office (MRO) website.

The School of Art History, Cinema, Classics and Archaeology had a Department Human Ethics Advisory Group (DHEAG), which approved low risk projects in 2006. Information on the appropriate body in The School of Historical Studies for 2007 will be available here in 2007.

A pdf version of the Guide is also available.

Human Ethics Approval Application Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1. Consult with your supervisor

As your supervisor will be listed as a researcher on your Human Ethics project, you must consult with them when preparing your application and they must sign off on the application before it is submitted to the Postgraduate Officer .

Step 2. Determine if your project low risk

To determine whether your project is low risk, please discuss the project with your supervisor and then complete the Expedited Review Checklist [form (2a)] on the Melbourne Research Office (MRO) website.

If, after completing the Expedited Review Checklist, you determine that your project is low risk proceed to step 2.1.
If, after completing the Expedited Review Checklist, you determine that your project is high risk proceed to step 2.2.

Step 2.1 Low Risk Projects

Complete the Expedited Review Application form from the Melbourn Research Office website.

Step 2.2 High Risk Projects

Complete the Standard Application form from the Melbourne Research Office website.

Step 3. Prepare the Supporting Materials

Step 3.1 Plain Language Statement

Full disclosure to all participants of information related to the research project is required so that potential participants understand the project in which they are about to participate. For this reason it is important that the information provided be done so in an easy-to-understand manner. The Melbourne Research Office website provides Plain Language Statement Guidelines and samples.

Step 3.2 Consent Form

Researchers need to obtain the informed consent of participants before the research can proceed. The Melbourne Research Office website provides Informed Consent Guidelines, consent form guidelines, and sample forms.

Step 3.3 List of all interview questions (if applicable)

Step 4. Submit the Application

Step 4.1 Submission Checklist

Double check that you have:

a. Discussed your application with your supervisor(s).
b. Completed the Expedited Review Checklist and attached it to your application.
c. Completed all questions on the Expedited Review Application Form or Standard Application Form (for High Risk projects).
d. Completed and proofread your Plain Language Statement, Consent Form, and list of all interview questions (if applicable).
e. Obtained all required signatures.

Step 4.2 Electronic Submission of Application

Send an electronic copy of the application form and supporting materials (Word documents) by email to the Postgraduate Officer.

Contact details for the postgraduate officer will be available in 2007. For queries, contact the Centre.

Step 4.3 Submission of Original Signature Page

Submit the ORIGINAL signature page of the Application Form in hard copy to: Postgraduate Officer.

About the Approval Process

Low risk projects

Once your application has been submitted to the Postgraduate Officer it will be reviewed and you will be advised of the outcome in due course. You may proceed with your research once the School has granted approval for your application. The School will also forward a copy of your application to the University’s Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) and you will receive a formal letter from the HREC advising of the outcome and the project number assigned to your project.

High risk projects

The School will review your application and once the Head of School has signed off on your application it will be forwarded to the University’s Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) for formal approval. You will be advised of the outcome of your application in due course. Students may not proceed with their research involving human participants until they receive notification that HREC approval has been received by the Principal Researcher.

Amendments

If, after your ethics application has been approved, it is necessary to make changes in your research project, you must follow the Melbourne Research Office’s procedures for Requests for Amendments and download a Request for Amendment Form from their website.

Complete this form and submit an electronic copy of the form (Word document) by email to the Postgraduate Officer.

Annual Report