The Faculty is committed to the highest standards of integrity in research. Researchers should refer to the University of Melbourne’s Code of Conduct for Research, which sets out the responsibilities of all researchers in the recording of data, authorship, publications, supervision and the ethical conduct of research projects involving humans.

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 VCA student applications to this committee, the VCA 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 VCA ethics application should be submitted to the VCA Human Ethics Committee. The Committee has the authority to approve human ethics applications that present low or minimal risk to participants.

The application and approval process can be viewed at the University's Human Research Ethics website. Generally, completed applications consist of the Application Form and a Plain Language Statement and Consent Form printed on VCA letterhead. Researchers should check the guidelines on the website, taking particular note of the Frequently Asked Questions, Handy Hints and Useful Resources sections.

Application forms should be lodged with the Secretary of the VCA 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.

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 Melbourne Research Office (MRO) website.

Please refer to this MRO Quick Reference Card for an overview of the Human Ethics application process.

Completing and attaching the Application Form and Other Documents
When entering your application on Themis you will be required to complete then attach a particular form depending on the application type you are preparing. This form is a MS Word Document which you should download onto your computer, complete then electronically attach on Themis prior to submission.

When completing the Application Form, answer all questions relating to the proposed project. Where the question is not applicable - the notation "N/A" may be inserted.
Please observe the word limits specified.

You will also need to prepare and attach via Themis various Other Documents including, if relevant, consent forms, plain language statements, interview protocols and questionnaires. For help see samples of a consent form and plain language statement.

Types of Ethics Clearance
Information on how to apply for 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 VCA Human Ethics Advisory Group (HEAG). Note that the HEAG (not the researcher) also decides whether the application is eligible for minimum risk review.

Creating a Standard Project application - used for most research projects unless they are eligible for minimum 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. For example, a student research Program might identify a common research question which is then explored via individual projects using standard methodologies. If the department has an established HEAG then, once the Program has been approved by the HREC, the routine projects can be approved by the HEAG.

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

Seeking an amendment to a current Human Ethics Application
Please refer to this MRO Quick Reference Card for information on how to amend a current Human Ethics Application.

Printing and lodging your application
Please refer to this MRO Quick Reference Card for information on how to print your application.

Applicants are required to submit the original application with all signatures (including Head of Department) to the Secretary, VCA Research Ethics Committee, Graduate Studies Office, Level 2, VCA Hub Support. Submission and Committee dates are listed below.

Enquiries
Please direct your enquiries regarding the Ethics application process to the Coordinator, Research Development, Lachlan MacDowall on 9685 9087 or by email to lmacd (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 the Coordinator, Research Development, Lachlan Macdowall, lmacd@unimelb.edu.au or from members of the ethics committee, listed below. Enquiries about the process of lodging the application should be directed to Lachlan MacDowall.

Ethics Committee (as of July 2008)

Members
Roger Alsop (Chair)
Associate Professor Jon Cattapan
Dr Ian Lang
Dr Rob Vincs
Dr Lachlan MacDowall

Secretary
Alexandra Abba

Submission and Committee Dates 2008