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School of Creative Arts
Human Research Ethics

HumanEthics_23Mar2005.pdf

DEPARTMENTAL HUMAN ETHICS ADVISORY GROUP (DHEAG)

Introduction:

All research involving human subjects by students and staff in the School of Creative Arts should conform to the University of Melbourne protocols that support ethical research. In some cases, before any such research is undertaken proposals should be submitted to the DHEAG for consideration, feedback and, if appropriate, approval.

Research involving humans that may require ethics approval include:

gathering information about human beings (and organisations) through interviewing, surveying, questionnaires, observation of human behaviour, audio/video taping;
using archived data in which individuals are identifiable;
studying or researching in illegal activities.

Ethics approval may also be required where, as part of assessment requirements in a particular subject, students are asked to undertake research involving human subjects.

What do I do first?

First, discuss your project with your supervisor(s). Your supervisor is there to advise you, to help you develop your project and give due consideration to the ethical issues involved. The supervisor also oversees the project, once it is underway.
You can also seek assistance from members of the SCA Department Human Ethics Advisory Group (DHEAG). Your DHEAG provides advice to researchers and to the Human Ethics Sub-Committee (HESC) about the academic validity of research projects, their ethical implications as well as compliance with guidelines and legislation. DHEAG members and meeting dates are set out below

How do I submit an application?

Application forms can be downloaded from MRIO's human ethics website: www.research.unimelb.edu.au/humanethics/
Discuss with your supervisor which form you will need to use. Complete the form and include any relevant attachments and also make sure you have the necessary signatures (i.e., student researcher/s, supervisor/s). Submit your application to your DHEAG.
Hand-written applications will not be accepted.

Low risk projects - DHEAG approval

A research project that is deemed to be of low risk to participants and researchers may be able to be approved by the DHEAG. This process is called Expedited Review. There is a checklist to help determine if your project is of low risk. Both the checklist and the Expedited Review application form can be downloaded from the website: (Form 2 and 2a) http://www.research.unimelb.edu.au/humanethics/processes/applicform/
Submit the completed checklist and application form to your DHEAG for review. You may be asked to make some changes to your project before it is given final approval. You will receive notification from the DHEAG that your project has been approved. You may then commence your research. A copy of your project application will be forwarded to MRIO to be registered and given a HREC number.

Medium or high risk projects - HREC approval

In cases where your project involves moderate or high risk, or where the funding body, research site or host organisation requires it, you will need to obtain ethics approval from one of the University's Human Ethics Sub-Committees. In this case you will need to fill out a different application form (Form 1) and then submit it to the DHEAG. The DHEAG will consider the project, perhaps request some changes, then make a recommendation to the relevant HESC to formally review and approve your application. At this point you will then forward the endorsed application, with the required number of copies, to MRIO for Sub-Committee review. The project will be registered and given a HREC number. Following its review, the HESC may ask you to clarify certain aspects of your project or to make some changes before it is given final approval. You will receive written notification from the HESC advising that the project has been approved. You may then commence your research.
The three Sub-Committees normally meet monthly during semester - see meeting schedule. You should allow four to six weeks for HESC approval after your application has been reviewed and endorsed by your supervisor(s), DHEAG and Head of Department.

All applications for ethics approval must include a copy of any written information describing the project which is to be given to potential participants. Intending applicants are strongly advised to consult the Informed Consent guidelines and closely follow the Plain Language Statement examples.

PLEASE NOTE: The original and six copies of the ethics application must be submitted to:

Coralie Crocker (Postgraduate Programs Officer)
School of Creative Arts,
Room A203, Level 2,
Arts Centre Building
University of Melbourne
Phone:+61 3 8344 8362
ccrocker@unimelb.edu.au

RESEARCH MUST NOT COMMENCE UNTIL ETHICS CLEARANCE HAS BEEN OBTAINED.

DHEAG Committee:

Assoc Prof Ken Wach (Chair, Head of School)
Assoc Prof Kevin Brophy (Deputy Head of School)
Assoc Prof Angela O'Brian (Postgraduate Coordinator)
Dr Denise Varney (Theatre Studies Coordinator)
Dr Peter Eckersall (Theatre Studies Lecturer)
Ms Alyson Campbell (Postgraduate Student Representative)
Ms Coralie Crocker (Postgraduate Programs Officer)

Meeting Schedule for 2006

	Meeting Date	Application Deadline (tentative)
	30th January	TBA
	13th February	3rd February
	31st May	15th May
	19th July	3rd July

Useful Web Sites

Ethics (Melbourne Research and Innovation Office) - (http://www.research.unimelb.edu.au/ethics/)
Research Integrity - (http://www.research.unimelb.edu.au/admin/res.conduct/code.html)
Human Research Ethics - (http://www.research.unimelb.edu.au/humanethics/)
Useful Resources and External Sites - (http://www.research.unimelb.edu.au/humanethics/external/)
Consent Guidelines - (http://www.research.unimelb.edu.au/humanethics/processes/applicprocedure/consent)
Plain Language Statement - (http://www.research.unimelb.edu.au/humanethics/processes/applicprocedure/plain/)

Variation to Project. If subsequent variations or modifications to the project are required once approval has been granted, a justification for these amendments must be submitted to DHEAG for approval. If DHEAG considers that the proposed changes are significant, researchers may be required to submit a new application for approval of the revised project.

Annual Reports. The Human Research Ethics Committee requires all researchers to submit an annual report on each of their projects at the end of each year, or at the conclusion of the project if it continues for less than a year. Requests for annual reports are sent out by the Human Research Ethics Office in November/December each year. Failure to submit a progress report at the end of each year will mean approval for the project will lapse and a new application will need to be submitted.

Research Data and Records The retention of complete, accurate and retrievable results is integral to the research process. Good research practice entails the retention of research data and records for periods of at least five years after the publication of results (or longer depending on regulatory or sponsor requirements and archival/historical value). This allows for the discussion of data and research methods with colleagues and for verification of the research such as might be required to refute allegations or falsification of data. The Responsibilities of Researchers are set out in the Policy on the Management of Research Data and Records www.unimelb.edu.au/records/research.html

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School of Creative Arts Human Research Ethics