Friday 27 April 2007
Recipient
Position
Address 1
Address 2
Address 3
Dear NAME
Re: Peer review of the research proposal submitted for animal ethics approval by NAME
"PROJECT TITLE"
At various times, the University of Newcastle Animal Care and Ethics Committee (ACEC) receives
applications for animal ethics approval which require peer review. I enclose a copy of a policy
statement from the Committee that explains under what circumstances this would occur.
I also attach a copy of an ethics application that I have recently submitted to the ACEC. I would be
grateful if you could act as reviewer for this application and comment on the scientific validity of the
proposed research, and whether the research, if carried out according to the protocol described in the
application, has the potential to yield valid and useful data.
A pro forma checklist is enclosed for your use. (A copy is also available for download at
http://www.newcastle.edu.au/research/animal/peerrev.html)
This checklist should be forwarded directly to the Committee (c/- Animal Ethics Administration,
Research Services, see http://www.newcastle.edu.au/research/contacts.html for contacts). Your
comments will be confidential.
The Committee next meets on INSERT DATE and it would be most useful to have your comments for
that meeting. Many thanks.
Yours sincerely
Name Surname
Position
T +61 2 4921 0000
F +61 2 4921 0000
Name.Surname@newcastle.edu.au
The University of Newcastle
ANIMAL CARE AND ETHICS COMMITTEE
Peer review of the scientific merit of research protocols involving the use of animals
The Animal Care and Ethics Committee (ACEC) has been established within the University
in accordance with the NSW Animal Research Act (1985) and its Regulations (1995). The
ACEC is directed by legislation to approve only those studies for which animals are essential
and justified and which conform to the requirements of the legislation, taking into
consideration factors including ethics, the impact on the animal or animals and the
anticipated scientific or educational value.
A research protocol involving the use of animals will not conform to the requirements of the
NSW legislation if the aims, purpose and design of that protocol are not scientifically valid.
The membership of the ACEC is such that it may not be able to adequately examine these
aspects of every application. Nevertheless, the Committee is able to accept the scientific or
educational value of applications describing work that has been subjected to critical, rigorous
and independent peer review by suitably qualified bodies or persons, whether a funding
body, independent persons, or institutional committee or panel.
The University of Newcastle Animal Care and Ethics Committee
Independent peer review of scientific merit of a research protocol
involving the use of animals
Title of Project:
“INSERT TITLE”
Chief Investigator:
“INSERT NAME”
Good
Average
Poor
Scientific merit of project?
Adequate testing of the proposed hypothesis by the:
Methodology described in the application?
Statistical design of the experiments?
Appropriate
Not Appropriate
Species of animals?
Number of animals?
Source of animals?
Quality of animals (eg. microbiological status)?
Yes
Does this application describe an established technique or procedure?
Do you believe that the research team has the necessary expertise to
perform the techniques/procedures described in the application in a
humane and ethical responsible manner?
Additional Comments (Please type or print):
Peer reviewer details:
Name:
Qualifications:
Position:
Institution/Employer
Expertise in the field of research
described in the application
Signature:
Date:
July 2006
No
Don't Know