Research Ethics

James Cook University

Anyone employed by James Cook University or studying at the University who intends to undertake a research or teaching project involving any form of human participation, observation of human activity, and access to databases must submit a human ethics application to the University.

Undergraduate students involved in small research projects involving human participants as part of their assessment, must seek ethical approval. Usually the supervisor would submit an ethics application on the students behalf, or if appropriate students may also apply for ethics approval (low risk application)

http://www-public.jcu.edu.au/researchservices/ethics/human/index.htm

1. Complete the ethics form

2. Send to the ethics advisor (Lynn Woodward, Julie parish, Anthony Leicht)

*If your project involves working with Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander participants or communities a specific ethics form is required – Please contact Yvonne Cadet James.

3.   The form should be signed by investigators, supervisors, ethics advisor and then sent to Head of School for approval deancmd@jcu.edu.au.

4.   Once approved you should then forward the form to ethics@jcu.edu.au

Closing Dates for Submission of Human Ethics

Queensland Health

All ethics applications for research involving patients (whether they reside in hospital or in the community) of a Health Service District should be reviewed by the appropriate Health Service District Human Research Ethics Committee.

Contact details Queensland Health Service Districts HRECs can be found at:

http://www.health.qld.gov.au/ohmr/html/regu/hrec_contacts.asp

Queensland Health ethical approval should be obtained first, and then reciprocal approval be obtained through the JCU HREC.

James Cook University Reciprocal Approval

Projects that have already received approval from a Health Service District HREC or any external HREC, you must forward:

One (1) copy of the ethics application submitted to the external HREC (including signature pages, informed consent forms and information sheets, and any other attachments);

The approval notice from the external HREC, any requested amendments, your response and any other correspondence.

Please also submit an electronic copy of the application in one pdf format.

To: Human Ethics, ethics@jcu.edu.au, (07)4781 5011, Research Office, James Cook University, Townsville, Qld 4811