*** From 01 September, all researchers carrying out research with humans as research participants should use either the:

• Minimal Risk Human Research Ethics Application Form,
• Full Ethical Review Human Research Ethics Application Form.

The application forms are available on https://www.mtu.ie/policies under Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Study. All completed applications forms should be submitted to hrec@mtu.ie.

A suite of resources has been developed to support the completion of the new applications forms. The resources are on Canvas, with access possible by registering through https://cit.instructure.com/enroll/XN6JDL. ***

MTU is committed to promoting and protecting ethics in research undertaken in MTU or by MTU staff and students. In MTU the Research Ethics Committee (REC):

• Prepares and reviews research ethics policies
• Advises on all matters relating to research ethics in research activity (staff and research postgraduate)
• Reviews ethics applications and reports its recommendations to the Registrar & Vice President for Academic Affairs
• Supports research at MTU in being ethically compliant with national and international best practice and with national legislation (where it exists)

The REC is receiving and reviewing applications on a monthly basis. All applications should be directed to hrec@mtu.ie for consideration. 

The deadlines for human research ethics applications to be reviewed at the next meeting of the Human Research Ethics Committee are:

Applications received after the dates listed above will be considered at the following month's REC meeting. Please note, there is another step in the process to be completed by the Registrar’s Office after your application is considered at the monthly REC meeting. As a guideline, 6 weeks should be allowed from application submission deadline date until receiving a letter of approval to commence direct research (but this is based on the REC not requiring additional information for the review process).

INSTRUCTIONS TO RESEARCHERS PREPARING ETHICS APPLICATIONS

Researchers should pay particular attention to their responsibilities especially those outlined below:

• Provide the Research Ethics Committee with the appropriate information on the research protocol by filling the forms in detail. Notify the Committee of subsequent modifications, terminations, and adverse reactions if significant, and if changes in focus or direction occur which may require ethical approval
   
• Ensure that all documentation is submitted electronically as a PDF
   
• Ensure that no direct research, i.e., research involving ethical issues, will be initiated until Research Ethics Committee approval is received
   
• Obtain appropriate informed consent from participant(s) where necessary
   
• Carry out the protocol as approved; initiating modifications only after the Research Ethics Committee has approved the amendment. (Exceptions only where necessary to eliminate apparent immediate hazards to the participant(s))
   
• Where the research results in any severe reaction or unforeseen injury, the research actions responsible should be immediately suspended and the matter immediately reported to the Chair of the Research Ethics Committee and any other relevant committee or officer of the University
   
• Ensure that the research will be carried out only by the approved investigator and or co-investigators
   
• Keep appropriate records, including names and access information for all research subjects, and maintain confidentiality of all records.

RESEARCH ETHICS TRAINING CERTIFICATION OPTIONS

As per the Human Research Ethics Policy, applicants and supervisor/principal investigator are required to have undertaken specific training provided in research ethics and provide certification of same in the human research ethics application as an appendix. Options for Research Ethics Training Certification can be found here.

MEMBERSHIP OF RESEARCH ETHICS COMMITTEE

All queries relating to research ethics applications should be directed to hrec@mtu.ie.