How to Apply for Ethics Clearance

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 website for an overview of the Human Ethics application process.

Types of Ethics Clearance

More detailed 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 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. 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 then 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 as to how to Amend a current Human Ethics Application.

Updating a Human Ethics Application

Please refer to this MRO Quick Reference Card for information as to how to Update a current Human Ethics Application.

 

Printing and lodging your application

Please refer to this MRO Quick Reference Card for information as to how to Print your application.

Applicants are required to submit the original application with all signatures (including Head of Department) and 10 copies to the Research Support Unit, Level 4 - Reception, 198 Berkeley Street by the Deadline Date.

Annual Reporting for 2010

Please refer to this Themis Quick Reference card for step by step instructions on how to lodge your Annual Report for 2010.

Enquiries

Please direct your enquiries regarding the Ethics application process to the Research Support Unit -
fbe-research@unimelb.edu.au