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  9. Application Overview

Application Overview

Important things to consider when writing an ethics application

General

Please consult the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research and the Human Research Ethics Manual before preparing your application. They contain very useful information  and will help you to prepare a sound application.

Preparing an ethics application takes time. You should plan ahead and submit your application well before your research begins.(Chapter 2.1 and 2.2 of the National Statement)

We recommend submitting at least two months prior to your proposed start date.

Give your supervisor (and ADR, if applicable) time to review your ethics application before it is due.

Some faculties may require applications to be submitted 7–10 days before the Committee’s deadline. Check with your Faculty for exact dates.

If your application is written in poor English or contains typographical and grammatical errors, it will be difficult to understand. The Committee is likely to seek clarification and, in some cases, reject the application altogether (Section 3 of the National Statement)

The Committee meets once a month, usually at the end of the month.

All high-risk applications are due two weeks before the meeting. Failure to submit by the published deadlines will result in the application not being tabled at the corresponding meeting (Chapter 5.1 and 5.2 of the National Statement).

You can find the Committee’s meeting dates here.

Low-risk applications are assessed by the University’s Low Risk Panel. These are usually reviewed within two weeks, though processing time may be longer during peak periods. (Chapter 2.1 and 5.3 of the National Statement)

Note: The Committee and the Research Ethics & Integrity office cannot tell you how to answer specific questions. You are the person with the detailed knowledge of your research. The Committee’s job is to ensure that the rights and welfare of participants are protected and that your application complies with the National Statement — for your protection and the university’s.

Section Description / Instructions
Introduction Notes for Applicants: The following is the application outline, and the information required for each section. When loading the application form, click on the "i" icon next to the question for further information.
Section 1 About  the Project:   This section includes the project title, a brief description of the project, start and end dates
Section 2Place of the Project: Provide the details on whether the research study will be conducted in Australia and/or overseas. Give specific details in location.
Section 3Personnel: Provide details on whether the chief investigator and all co-investigators. Details must include qualifications as well as the scientific publications of all individuals involved in the application, including both students and staff. Co-investigators are defined as anyone listed on the project application who will be conducting research on people. All students must list their supervisors.
Section 4Funding and Review:   Provide all details on funding and also details on who else has reviewed the application. Students MUST have the application reviewed by the supervisor BEFORE submission!
Section 5Research Design and Methodology:  Provide a summarised literature review that includes what the background knowledge is, what the gap in literature is and how your research will help address this gap.  Describe the research approach and methods in more detail. Outline how the data will be collected, processed and analysed. Explain the aims and benefits of the research. NOTE: CUTTING AND PASTING TEXT FROM YOUR GRANT APPLICATION IS NOT APPROPRIATE AS THIS CONTENT WAS DESIGNED TO BE REVIEWED BY GENERAL EDUCATED READERS ACROSS THE FACULTIES, NOT BY SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS!  Please use plain language so general educated reader can understand. Avoid using technical jargon and always introduce all acronyms.
Section 6Participants, Risk and Consent: Provide explicit details on who your participants are (including any inclusion/exclusion), how they will be recruited, your minimum number of participants required. Also provide information on what the risks are for participants, researchers and others. You must also provide strategies for minimising these risks. Provide details on how the participants will be able to provide informed consent, how you will ensure that participation is voluntary and details on how they can withdraw from the research should they choose to.
Upload your Participant Information and consent Form (PICF). You MUST use the UC HREC approved PICF template from the Human Ethics website.
Section 7Data: Describe all details on Data, Access and storage.
Section 8Attachments