Ethics in DIT

Guidelines
Ethics Committee
- Decision making procedure
- Committee members
Forms
Procedures
Contact Information

Decision making procedures

The Chairperson will filter applications into:

those appropriate for Chairperson's action (or nominee) with subsequent reporting to the committee
those requiring a decision following a full review by DIT's Research Ethics Committee.

If the Chairperson is satisfied that there are nil or minimal risks and/or ethical issues involved, s/he may consider taking Chairperson's Action to approve some applications.

A decision will be made and communicated to the researcher within four weeks of submission.

Decision Outcomes

If nil ethical or risk issues are identified the proposal is then considered to be approved by the DIT Research Ethics Committee. Such cases might include:

Secondary analysis of public domain data
Research already granted permission by another Ethics Committee
Trials to decide which of two or more accepted methods of treatment is better
Research involving no more than one to three venepunctures per subject

If significant ethical or risk issues are identified then the proposal is referred to a review by the DIT Research Ethics Committee for fuller consideration.

Researchers are not normally invited to attend committee meetings ie no advocate of the proposal will be present. Where difficulties arise the committee may invite attendance at a subsequent meeting.

Members of the Committee cannot participate in decisions involving their own research proposals.

Members of the Committee must declare personal and Faculty/School interests.

Decisions of the Research Ethics Committee fall into the following categories:

Ethical dimension of proposal approved.
Researchers may be asked to supply additional information.
Ethical dimension of proposal approved with modification.
Resubmission of ethical dimension of proposal.
Ethical dimension of proposal considered inadequate and/or contrary to Guiding Principles.

The Ethics and Social Responsibility Committee will be informed of all decisions of the committee.

Appeal

If an applicant is unhappy with the decision of DIT's Research Ethics Committee s/he can appeal the decision to the Ethics and Social Responsibility Committee which will review the issues.