Research Ethics

All research projects involving humans are subject to review and prior approval by the University of Melbourne’s Human Research Ethics Committee. In order to facilitate student applications to this committee, the Faculty has established its own Ethics Committee (within the University of Melbourne structure, this is known as a Departmental Human Ethics Advisory Group, or DHEAG).

All Faculty ethics applications should be submitted to the Faculty of the VCA and Music Human Ethics Committee. The Committee has the authority to approve human ethics applications that present low or minimal risk to participants. Applications with a higher risk will be reviewed by the DHEAG but will be referred to the University Humanities & Applied Science Ethics sub-committee for consideration and approval

The Faculty is committed to the highest standards of integrity in research. Researchers should refer to the University of Melbourne’s Research Integrity (http://www.research.unimelb.edu.au/integrity/conduct/data) website which provides information about the University of Melbourne’s code of conduct, together with the policy on Management of Research Data and Records. Requirements for recording of data, information about authorship and publication practices can be viewed at (http://www.research.unimelb.edu.au/integrity/conduct/publicationsauthorship). Responsibilities relating to research integrity can be viewed at (http://www.research.unimelb.edu.au/integrity/about/responsibilities)

Generally, completed applications consist of the Application Form together with a Plain Language Statement and Consent Form printed on University letterhead.

Before commencing a Human Research Ethics application researchers should refer to the University’s Human Ethics website.This website provides sections about the need for human ethics, how to complete an application, managing an approved project and quick links. The quick link contains a section on forms, samples and links. This should be referred to before preparing the Plain Language Statement and the Consent form.

Application forms should be lodged with the Executive Officer of the Faculty of the VCA and Music Ethics Committee by the submission deadline, and will be considered at the subsequent meeting. Researchers submitting an application that is not low risk should also note the meeting dates and deadlines of the University's Research Office Humanities and Applied Science Ethics Sub-committee which are listed below.

Submission process
Faculty research staff and students seeking ethics clearance for their research need to apply via the Themis Human Ethics Module. The module allows researchers to submit, register and track their human ethics applications from the initial stages through to the completion of the research.

The first stage in seeking approval is to log on to Themis. All University of Melbourne researchers including Research Higher Degree students have ready access to Themis, however other students requiring access may need to arrange this through their faculty or department manager. Further information regarding student access is available on the Themis (http://themis.unimelb.edu.au/starting/new_user.html) website.

For more information
The primary point of contact for all students is their supervisor. Students should complete their ethics application in consultation with their supervisors, as they will be listed as the Principal Researcher on any research project. You can also seek guidance from members of the ethics committee, listed below. Enquiries about the process of lodging the application should be directed to Beryl Beams on (03) 9685 9466 or at beryl@ (followed by) unimelb.edu.au.

For more information
The primary point of contact for all students is their supervisor. Students should complete their ethics application in consultation with their supervisors, as they will be listed as the Principal Researcher on any research project. You can also seek guidance from members of the ethics committee, listed below. Enquiries about the process of lodging the application should be directed to Beryl Beams on(03) 9685 9466 or at beryl@ (followed by) unimelb.edu.au.

Human Ethics Advisory Group Committee (as of January 2009)

Members

Roger Alsop(Chair)
Dr Barbara Bolt (Deputy Chair)
Geraldine Cook
Dr Stephen Haley

Helen Herbertson
Dr Ian Lang
Annabelle Murphy
Dr Rob Vincs


Executive Officer
Beryl Beams

Please note:

Applications must include all related documents, be signed and dated by all researchers and the relevant Head of Department. Incomplete applications will be returned.

*Applications received after the submission deadline will be considered at a subsequent meeting.