Ethics Approval

All research in the department involving human subjects requires ethics approval before it can proceed.

DIS has a Departmental Human Ethics Advisory Group (DHEAG). It oversees all research projects involving human subjects within the department, and reports to the Humanities and Applied Sciences Human Ethics Sub-Committee.

Members of the DHEAG for 2008 are:
Committee Chair: Dr Sherah Kurnia
Secretary: Rhonda Smithies
Other members:
Dr Atif Ahmad (Semester 1)
Rachelle Bosua (Semester 2)
Reeva Lederman
Vacant (Research Only staff representative)
Vacant (Research Student representative)

The DHEAG meets once a month from January to October. All applications must be submitted by the deadline (see below) to allow adequate time for the Committee members to review each application before the meeting. In addition to the online submission that must be done via THEMIS (http://themis.unimelb.edu.au) a hardcopy the department requires an original signed hard copy and 4 double-sided photocopies submission (4 copies) is also required. After the meeting, if amendments are required prior to the approval, ONLY 1 original, single-sided copy, duly signed application needs to be resubmitted by the resubmission due-date shown below.

All applications must come through the DHEAG. In about 90% of applications within DIS, the DHEAG grants approval. The other 10% are forwarded to the Humanities and Applied Sciences Human Ethics Sub-Committee for approval by their deadline. http://www.research.unimelb.edu.au/humanethics/processes/dates/haps/

Researchers who have applications which are not Minimal Risk should speak to the Secretary  in advance regarding timelines to reach the Humanities and Applied Sciences Human Research Ethics Committee via their deadlines.

The DHEAG also monitors projects with ethics clearance. Individual researchers must maintain conditions of approval for projects undertaken and are further subject to the University's standards of research integrity.

Handy Hints to assist you in completing your application:

http://www.research.unimelb.edu.au/humanethics/external/hints/

Example of Plain Language Statements (i.e. Research Project Description) : http://www.research.unimelb.edu.au/humanethics/processes/applicprocedure/plain/example/
Please ensure this is on University Letterhead

Please make sure that your application is completed thoroughly before submitting to the DHEAG to ensure the eligibility for a review by the Committee. The Committee will reject applications that require proof-reading or are clearly sub-standard. This will result in a delay in processing your application of at least five weeks. Supervisors of any student projects are responsible for the ethical conduct of the research and the eligibility of the application submitted.

Important information for all applicants:

REMINDER:   To access THEMIS you will need to activate your ITS account from:  http://accounts.unimelb.edu.au/

1. The DIS DHEAG maintains a process for handling ethics applications. All staff and student research projects (including those involving Honours and coursework higher degree students) must follow this process.
• Process Summary
• Detailed Process
• Amendments:  Please note Amendments follow the same process as above, however only submit  1 original signed copy to the Secretary.
• Research Projects that require ethics approval from external organisations, please contact the Secretary or Chair directly.
2. Responsibilities of staff and research students
3. Local (DIS) monitoring procedures
4. Data storage/retention and destruction procedures