Applying for human research ethics approval
Human research activities MUST NOT commence before ethics approval is obtained from the Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC). The HREC is not permitted to give retrospective approval (i.e. cannot approve research already commenced).
Plan ahead
Consider the ethics application process in your whole project timeframe.
Attend workshop
Attend the Human Research Ethics Workshop to obtain guidance or advice on your draft application.
Apply via IRMA for the following:
- Murdoch-based project; or
- Reciprocal project;, or
- Exemption from formal review.
For efficient approval, see Application tips below.
Submit it to Research Ethics and Integrity by the document deadline. If you are from Psychology, submit directly to your relevant area, unless otherwise agreed.
Pre-review
Your application's risk level will be assessed based on a review matrix. Low risk applications will be expedited. More than low risk applications go to the next HREC meeting.
Low risk review information is available for researchers in Psychology.
Ethics review and approval
Research Ethics and Integrity will advise the Chief Investigator of the outcome and any conditions, along with a copy of the HREC Standard Conditions Of Approval (below). Once the approval is obtained, the research can begin and full funding may be released (the National Statement, p. 7).
Where research commences with a pilot study, you can either:
- apply for ethics approval for the pilot and the remainder of the project in a later, separate, application; or
- apply for all stages at once - take care to identify the pilot and distinct phases of the research in the application.
Research that may be exempt from ethical review, according to the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research, includes:
- Negligible risk research that has no foreseeable risk of harm or discomfort; and any foreseeable risk is no more than inconvenience. Where the risk, even if unlikely, is more than inconveneince, the research is not negligible risk
- Research that involves the use of existing data collections or records that contain only non-identifiable data about human beings.
Some examples of research that MAY be exempt from human ethics approval include:
- coursework, assignments and essays with an education, training, or a practical experience focus;
- negligible risk research based exclusively on non-identifiable publicly available information, public archives, records and documents, or public performances;
- evaluation activities carried out in the normal course of education such as student feedback surveys and quality reviews.
Ethics approval may be required by publishers if you intend to publish.
Low risk applications usually take 2-3 weeks to review. Applications reviewed by the full HREC usually receive a response in 3-5 working days following the HREC meeting.
Ethics approval is always subject to the HREC Standard Conditions Of Approval.
Ethics approval is normally given up to 4 years.
After the fourth year, a new and updated application must be submitted.
Application tips
It is the researcher's responsibility to ensure that ethics approval has been obtained BEFORE data collection commences. Retrospective ethics approval cannot be granted. A good application assists with efficient approval.
- Ensure you have IRMA access. Sample Information letters and consent forms are also available to assist your application.
- Plan ahead: Allow adequate time to develop a well-considered application that addresses all ethical requirements. For example:
- Participants: Consider the people from or about whom data is being collected as participants in the research process, not subjects or objects. Stand in the participant's shoes and ask: Before agreeing to participate, what concerns could I have? What information or assurances would I need from the researcher? How can you involve participants wherever possible? How will you provide participants with information about the outcomes of the study?
- Risk: Consider how the project will be implemented in its entirety and how potential risks can be mitigated. What will be done if something unexpected occurs? Consider alternative approaches to minimise risk.
Transparent ethical considerations demonstrates your awareness of the potential risks. It also demonstrates confidence in managing the risks.
- Get advice: Get discipline-specific advice. Attend the Human Research Ethics workshop to improve the application or wth your draft application. Refer to online guidance. Seek advice from Research Ethics and Integrity. Applicants are strongly encouraged to check HREC’s legislation and links.
Remember, ethics is an iterative process. If the HREC does not approve a project on first application or if HREC places conditions on a project, think carefully about the response. Consult with others and, if needed, obtain additional feedback from Research Ethics and Integrity before submitting responses or resubmitting an application.
- Write clearly: The HREC membership is diverse (National Statement 5.1.30) and members are not discipline experts. Write the application in plain English. Avoid jargon and technical terms. Information and Consent letters need to be in lay language that participants understand.
- Proof read: Proof read for typographical or grammatical mistakes, especially in material that will go to participants on University letterhead (e.g. the Information Letter, Consent Form, flyers, recruitment material). It should be written and presented professionally.
- Be succinct, self-explanatory and sufficient: The application and attachments should include everything necessary for the HREC to assess the application, without reference to the full research proposal e.g. summarise the methods section without reference to lengthy explanations elsewhere.
Note: once approval is obtained, a researcher is only approved to undertake the research as outlined in the application and its approval conditions. changes or amendments must be approved before they are implemented.