Faculty of Health, Medicine, Nursing and Behavioural Sciences
Deakin University
Human Ethics Advisory Group – Health Medicine Nursing and Behavioural Sciences (HEAG-H) Terms of Reference, Policies and Procedures are:
If you carry out any research projects from or at Deakin involving human participants (surveys, interviews, experiments, exercises, etc) you will need prior official approval from the DUHREC or a faculty Human Ethics Advisory Group (HEAG).
Ethics approval applications for research projects associated with a high level of risk must be submitted to the DUHREC for review. Those associated with only a low level of risk may be eligible for expedited review by the faculty HEAG.
It is the responsibility of the researcher to assess the level of risk associated with their own project, based on the guidelines included in this document and with reference to the National Statement (http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/publications/synopses/e35syn.htm). If researchers deem the project to be low risk, then an application for expedited review can be made.
guide to completing the expedited review form and definitions of high and low risk(48k PDF)
Submitting applications for expedited review for projects which are clearly higher than low risk will result in the necessity of review by both HEAG and DUHREC. This will significantly increase the time required for the review and approval process. HEAG will forward applications deemed ineligible for expedited review to DUHREC for consideration in their next cycle, and will notify the researchers of this action.
In cases where researchers consider their project of higher than low or minimal risk, it is appropriate to apply for ethics approval directly to DUHREC.
http://www.deakin.edu.au/research/admin/ethics/human/
* For applications considered low risk by the researchers, the expedited review checklist. Please note, although researchers are likely to tick at least one or two of the boxes indicating a potential for high risk, this does not necessarily mean that the application is ineligible for expedited review - only that the researcher is required to complete the special case assessment section explaining how this potential risk will be managed or minimised to ensure that the project remains low risk.
Currently Deakin University is negotiating agreements with:
which it is hoped will simplify the ethics approval process for Deakin University researchers conducting joint projects with these institutions. While these agreements are yet to be finalised, researchers are advised of the following:
For projects requiring approval by multiple Human Research Ethics Committees, please consult the Chair/Secretary HEAG-H.
**Please note that the module 6 used by Barwon Health has been updated. Please ensure you are using the updated version**
NEAF Important Notice: From late August 2008 Version 2 of the NEAF will become available for use. From that date, all new NEAF applications must be created in Version 2. Current Version 1 applications cannot be imported to Version 2 and must be completed by 1 December 2008 at which time Version 1 will be locked and remaining applications will be inaccessible. It is recommended that researchers save copies of applications created in Version 1 for future reference.
Please note the NEAF is now the prescribed application form at Deakin University. Power Point presentation providing advice on completing the NEAF(2.8MB PPT). This Power Point presentation includes an audio component that may be activated by choosing "Slide Show" from the menu, then " View Show." If the sound does not begin automatically, then click anywhere in the first slide. Alternatively, if you are unable to play sound then the audio presentation may be read while viewing the slides by choosing the "Normal View" option.
Power Point presentation providing advice on the Expedited Review Process(340k PPT). This Power Point presentation includes an audio component that may be activated by choosing "Slide Show" from the menu, then " View Show." If the sound does not begin automatically, then click anywhere in the first slide. Alternatively, if you are unable to play sound then the audio presentation may be read while viewing the slides by choosing the "Normal View" option.
Reviewers checklist providing advice regarding ethical considerations to be addressed by researchers(200k DOC) Excel version (280k XLS). This checklist is used to assess applications for ethical approval by HEAG-H. It is recommended that researchers use this form as a tool to check their own applications are complete and contain sufficient, relevant information to minimise requests for further information or amendments.
The Faculty has an Educational Officer, who will be working 2 days/week to run workshops for staff and students, to answer queries on completing the NEAF form, and to assist chief investigators in determining whether research is eligible for low risk expedited review.
Frequently Asked Questions This link provides some common questions asked by researchers when preparing their ethics application.
Key Issues to consider in designing a successful ethics application: This guide to designing a successful ethics application provides useful suggestions for dealing with some of the more commonly encountered ethical issues in human research. It is recommended that researchers refer to this guide in the planning stages of their project in order to avoid common mistakes and minimize requests for amendments.
For help and assistance with completing the NEAF forms contact:
Ms Sally Fornaro (Monday and Friday only)
Phone: 03 9244 6064
Email sally.fornaro@deakin.edu.au
Application Form links
# For the expedited applications the contact for the complaints clause in the PLS should be Secretary HEAG-H, Dean's Office, Faculty of Health, Medicine, Nursing and Behavioural Sciences, 221 Burwood Hwy, Burwood, VIC 3125, Telephone: (03) 9251 7174, Email hmnbs-research@deakin.edu.au.
Amendments to approved projects
Researchers must seek approval for modifications to research protocols, before implementing changes to approved projects
At the end of each year an Annual review/final report on your progress is required.
A fully signed application with attachments should be submitted to:
Secretary HEAG-H
Dean's Office
Faculty of Health, Medicine, Nursing and Behavioural Sciences
Level 3, Building J
221 Burwood Hwy
Burwood VIC 3125
Enquiries should be directed to:
Telephone: (03) 9251 7174
Email hmnbs-research@deakin.edu.au.
