Submissions

Researcher Guidelines

Researchers intending to submit research protocols to this Health Research Ethics Committee are invited to do so with strict attention to details.

All submissions will be assessed by the committee and designated experts in the concerned field to determine whether the research plan meets the standards of human subject-based research according to international benchmarks, particularly the Helsinki Declarations. The suitability of the research protocol will be assessed based on the relevant principles of research ethics.

The duration of the process of assessment varies but the committee strives to be fair and just. Experts may recommend reviews and adjustments of submitted protocols. In such instances, the researcher is invited to revise and resubmit the protocol. Research protocols adjudged to be a good fit, on a final note, will be recommended for the committee's approval.

Before making a submission, researchers are responsible for obtaining the permission to list every individual listed as co-investigators or supervisors. These roles must be clearly defined. Where the Research is to be funded by a third party, this must be clearly declared and the value of funding must also be declared.

Before submitting, please ensure that the research protocol, study design and research argument are structured and articulated properly according to the HREC format. The title should be concise (stating who the participants are, what entity to be studied, type of study design and where the study will be conducted) the methodology should be sound, free of ambiguity and reproducible. When a researcher is satisfied that the submission meets this standard, please the checklist below can be followed to prepare the submission.

Submission Preparation Checklist

All submissions must meet the following requirements:

The submission meets the requirements outlined in the HREC Guidelines.
The research protocol must be prepared on the appropriate HREC template downloadable from the HREC webpage.
The protocol submission is not seeking a retrospective consideration: it is not about a research that has already been conducted.
The HREC format of preparing research protocols (title, background, statement of the problem, justification, aim and objectives, methodology [study design, study location, study population, inclusion and exclusion criteria, sample size determination, sampling technique, data collection methods, description of the research tool, outcome variables, validity and reliability of self-designed questionnaire, Material Transfer Agreement where applicable, data analysis plans] and ethical considerations (autonomy, informed consent, confidentiality, justice, fidelity, freedom of participation, footing of bills and treatment plans for participants identified with abnormalities). The researcher must clearly declare any conflicts of interest. The Times New Roman size 12 is used throughout.
Where required, sample sizes are appropriately calculated and sample size determination is done scientifically. Sample size calculations must be shown with the references of the formulae and the used figures appropriately included.
The signature page must be appropriately signed by the researcher and supervisor (if required). This document should be scanned and uploaded separately to authenticate the submission. A document submitted without the appropriate signatures remain invalid and will not be processed further.
All references have been checked for accuracy and completeness.
A copy of the HREC consent form (except for retrospective research and non-human research) is attached.
Where children aged 7 to 17 years are involved, assent must be obtained from them along with parental consent. Therefore a copy of the assent form must be included in the submission.
A copy of the questionnaire or other research instruments is included.
Evidence of payment of processing fee is uploaded.

NOTE: You do not have to upload all the document at a go. You can save for later as you progress.

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