Receiving Ethics Approval
A Guide
1. Before Writing an Ethics Application
Why is writing an ethics application NOT a waste
of time?
It helps you to...
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clarify your research questions.
limit your research questions.
briefly formulate your theory.
check and test your methodology.
create and follow a timeline.
discuss your thesis with other people.
Ethics Application Form
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Read form carefully before you do anything else!
http://www.research.mq.edu.au/for/researchers/how_to_obtain_ethics_a
pproval/human_research_ethics
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What are the requirements in order to get ethics
clearance?
Who can be contacted?
Get an overview
Check how many ethics/research approvals are required.
Prepare for...
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Long processing times: Check meeting times of
ethics committee and other relevant institutions.
http://www.research.mq.edu.au/for/researchers/how_to_obtain_e
thics_approval/human_research_ethics/human_research_ethics_c
ommitte_meeting_dates
Criticism: You will need to revise your
application.
 Discussion: Only modify aspects of your
methodology if that is justified.
 Motivating yourself: Without ethics, there is no
thesis!
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Timeline
Setting a Date for Ethics Submission
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Determine a (several) date(s) of data collection to find out by
when you need ethics approval.
Calculate approximate processing time for your ethics
application(s) (include revision time) - minimum 2 months.
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Difference (today’s date + application submission date) =
period of time to work towards the ethics approval
Timeline
Period of Time to prepare Ethics Application
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Calculate period of time that it takes to clarify
Theory and Methodology.
Background
(not fully formulated
but clear)
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Backbone
(has to be ‘waterproof’)
Calculate time period to create/revise/modify test
instrument.
Calculate the time that it takes to fill in application form,
proposals to test group(s), information sheets, consent forms
etc. .
2. Preparing the Ethics Application
Write a short version of your theory.
 Write a short version of your methodology.
 Create the concrete instruments for your
study, e.g. questionnaire, interview questions.
 Create framework for the realisation of the
study.
 Write study proposals – contact potential
participants.
 Write information sheets, consent forms.
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3. Filling in the Ethics Application Form
Get appropriate “University paper” or
“University logo” – usually from
administration office
 Contact Ethics Department if you have any
questions!
 Make sure to highlight that your participants
are safe!
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Filling in the Ethics Application Form
Some Tips
Use simple but precise language.
 Repeat yourself.
 Use charts and tables to create a better
overview.
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Filling in the Ethics Application Form
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Part 1: Project Summary and Administration
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1.3: Chief investigator – your supervisor
1.3: all questions refer to your professional
background (study and work related) – not your
research you are applying for
1.7: Funding/Plan Details – refers to funding
related to this particular research
Filling in the Ethics Application Form
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Part 2: 2.2 Description of the project
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Create small paragraphs
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Background of the study
Theory
Methodology:
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phases of study if more than one
include nr, sex, age of participants
tasks of participants
security of participants
Filling in the Ethics Application Form
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Part 3: Recruitment of Participants
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3.4: Personal approach with participants refers to
any contact (phone, email, questions) with
participants as well as third parties between
researcher and direct participants
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E.g.: Research in schools: Even if you do not contact
students directly, you need to identify this.
3.6: Be careful with promising financial benefit to
participants.
4. Review of your Ethics Application
Read comments carefully.
 Clarify questions if you are not sure what the
comments entail.
 Make changes only if appropriate.
 Potentially check with other institutions if
advised changes will be recognised by them.
 Contact member of ethics committee to
discuss your changes before resubmitting.
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End
Having to receive ethics clearance is not a
reason to avoid conducting studies!