About Ethics

All researchers (staff, students and student supervisors) who are undertaking research involving humans require ethics approval. This includes anyone who is:

  • gathering information about human beings (and organisations) through interviewing, surveying, questionnaires, observation of human behaviour, audio/video taping, administering tests or stimuli, collecting or using human tissue/bone/blood or other body fluids
  • conducting clinical trials
  • using archived data in which individuals are identifiable
  • studying or researching in illegal activities

Detailed information regarding Ethics is available via Melbourne Research

 

Types of Ethics Clearance

More detailed information on the following types of Ethics clearance is available as follows:

Creating a Minimal Risk application - used for projects that present minimal risk according to a set of checklist items concerning the nature of the project, its research methodology and participants. Minimal risk applications can be approved by the HEAG. Note that the HEAG (not the researcher) also decides whether the application is eligible for minimal risk review.

Creating a Standard Project application - used for most research projects unless they are eligible for minimal risk review or part of an existing University of Melbourne human ethics Program application.

Creating a Program application - Researchers may wish to submit a Program application relating to their research, within which individual projects are to be undertaken as part of that Program.

Creating a Project within a Program application - used for routine projects that relate to a particular Program and are reviewed by the HEAG.

Please remember that you cannot commence fieldwork without ethics approval. Failure to obtain appropriate ethics approval for research involving humans may result in disciplinary action resulting from a breach of the Code of Conduct for Research and could leave researchers at risk of civil or legal action.


How to Apply

All research projects involving humans are subject to review by the University's Human Research Ethics Committee. This process begins by submission to the Asia Institute's HEAG Committee. The process is as follows:

1. Enter application online via Themis

The first stage in seeking approval is to log on to Themis. All University of Melbourne researchers including Research Higher Degree students have access to Themis. Further information regarding Student Access is available on the Melbourne Research (MR) website. The Themis Ethics module allows researchers to submit, register and track their human ethics applications from the initial stages through to the completion of the research. For more help see the Step by step guide to entering your application into Themis: Step by step guide to human ethics application.

2. Print and lodge your hard copy application for AI HEAG review

The signed original + five copies of the printed application  must be submitted to the Academic Programs and Research Manager by the required submission dates below. The hard copy version of your ethics application must include:

  • Application Summary (data entered directly into Themis)
    See Printing your Human Ethics application summary (pdf, 97kb)
  • Application Form (the form you completed, saved and attached to Themis)
  • Other Attachments (either electronically attached via Themis or provided in hard copy only)

Assemble documents in this order and obtain all the necessary researcher signatures. Note that all Plain Language Statements and Consent forms must be on Asia Institute letterhead. Letterhead can be obtained by contacting the Academic Programs and Research Manager (link to us). For more help refer to MR Quick Reference Card for information on how to Print your application.

3. Application is reviewed by the AI HEAG and responsible researchers are contacted with outcome and/or request for further information and revisions.

4. Depending on the nature of the application, the application may then be referred to the University's HESC for final review. See here for process for revisions in the case of HESC review: Making revisions and updates.

5. Responsible researcher receives outcome either via HEAG (minimal risk approved under delegation) or via HESC.

 

Research and Research Training and Ethics Committee Dates for 2012

All funding and ethics applications, for both staff and students, must be approved by the Asia Institute Research and Research Training and Ethics (RRT and Ethics) Committee.

Please note that if you require Asia Institute support for Faculty or University funding your application must be approved by the RRT and Ethics Committee before you submit your application to the Faculty or University.

 
Submission Date for Meeting Meeting Date
27 Jan 2012 7 February 2012
24 Feb 2012 6 March 2012
27 March 2012 3 April 2012
24 April 2012 1 May 2012
22 May 2012 29 May 2012
26 June 2012 3 July 2012
24 July 2012 7 August 2012
28 August 2012 4 September 2012
25 September 2012 2 October 2012
26 October 2012 6 November 2012
4 December 2012 11 December 2012
 

Fieldwork, Travel and Funding information

Postgraduate Students Funding information

 

Fieldwork, Travel and Funding information

Staff: Coming soon.

 

Useful links