All research involving human participation in its many forms, including interviews and completion of questionnaires.

The UQBS Ethical Review Committee considers research projects up to the level of, and including, PhD, in the following circumstances:

• where the project involves no more than low risk (research is "low risk" where the only foreseeable risk is one of discomfort),and
• the school committee considers that it does not require review by one of the main ethics committees of the UQ.

Research involving a higher risk will be referred to one of the main ethics committees of the University in accordance with the UQ Guidelines/Interpretations of the NHMRC National Statement.

Irrespective of the level of risk involved, research of a kind falling under the following chapters of the National Statement must be reviewed by one of the main ethics committees of the University:-

• Interventions and therapies, including clinical and non-clinical trials, and innovations
• Human genetics
• Human stem cells
• Women who are pregnant and human foetus
• People highly dependent on medical care who may be unable to give consent
• People with a cognitive impairment, an intellectual disability, or a mental illness
• People who may be involved in illegal activities
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

The following types of research do not require ethical review.

1. Data that is in public domain unless it is defamatory and republication will place the University at risk of civil action.
2. Research that is of negligible risk and involves the use of data in historical documents, records, pathological and diagnostic specimens (that is, data already existing and not extracted, removed from subjects, or obtained specifically for and during the conduct of the research) does not require review provided that appropriate gate-keeper approval has been obtained and personal or identifying information purged from the data set.
3. Pure observation is usually non-invasive and commonly requires no contact with subjects (such as standing on a footpath or other public venue, recording the actions of passers-by), and as such do not require ethical review. Public behaviour is human action which occurs in a forum open to the general public, but recording is subject to Federal and State legal positions on privacy.

Ethical review will be necessary if subjects are identifiable either by name, or by other identifiers (eg facial photographs) that are intrinsic to the data, or if the disclosure of recorded observations places the subjects at risk or harm or social stigma or legal prosecution.

The following key areas have been identified as paramount in every research interaction a researcher may have with a subject. Compliance with and advice regarding each of these listed are assessed as a part of every Ethical Clearance application. Applicants must provide details and examples of how participants will be advised of the researcher's compliance with (and provide assurance of) the following key areas:

• Gate Keeper Approval
• Informed Consent
• The degree of risk and benefit of research
• Privacy and Confidentiality
• Data Security

The University has identified, following the recommendations of the National Statement, groups that are recognised as being vulnerable and therefore require an additional layer of approval/or care when undertaking research involving one of the below groups:

• Children and Young People
• People in Dependent or Unequal Relationships
• People with Cognitive Impairment, Intellectual Disability or Mental Illness
• People Highly Dependent on Medical Care Who May Be Unable to Give Consent
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples

Further detail regarding these groups can be found in the UQ Guidelines/Interpretations of the NHMRC National Statement

UQ Business School's Guidelines for Ethical Review of Research Involving Humans can be found in the policy document.

A good business school can provide: access to potential employees, education and professional development for existing employees, consulting capability, contract research capability, and - perhaps most significantly - access to research findings.

UQBS RHD, Honours and Postgraduate coursework students requiring ethical clearance for research projects - contact:

Vivienne Balson UQ Business School Honours Student Liaison Officer
v.balson@business.uq.edu.au

Academic staff - contact:

Human Ethics Unit Coordinator
www.uq.edu.au/research/rid/rid-contacts/

Ethical Clearance and Class Projects

1. At the beginning of the semester, members of the staff who intend conducting class projects, which would involve primary data collection from humans, will submit an ethical clearance application to the UQBS Ethical Review Committee. The information needed for submission of applications is available right here on this page. This inherently means that the student project must maintain the same methodological and procedural frameworks as outlined in the ethical application prepared by the staff member. For example, if an assessment item requires students to undertake a project where they conduct interviews with business managers then the staff member would be required to address all relevant questions outlined on the application including the breadth of methodologies and techniques (focus groups, depth interviews, surveys) to be used to conduct the project and copies of the participant information sheet and consent form to be used by students. It will be the responsibility of the staff member to ensure that students adhere to ethical guidelines.
2. The School Ethics Committee will provide a blanket approval for the project and students will not be required to submit separate applications.
3. If the data collection and storage procedures for the project remain the same for subsequent semesters, there is no need for a fresh application for clearance. The approval will be active for a period of 2 years. At the conclusion of this period of time staff members will be required to resubmit ethical approval forms for relevant projects.
4. If changes to the data collection and storage procedures occur during the 2 year period in which the project has 'blanket' approval then the Committee should be notified. However, there will be no need to submit a new application.

See the RRTD - Human Ethics website for application procedures and forms to download.

Applications for ethical clearance involving Business School undergraduate or postgraduate students:

Honours or RHD students who wish to undertake research involving students in classrooms must submit an application for ethical clearance in accordance with points 1-6 above. If ethical clearance is approved, the following documents should be submitted to the Business School's Executive Officer:

• Covering letter submitted to the Chair, UQ Business School Ethical Review Committee (introducing the project)
  Download covering letter (word)
• Letter from the Chair, Ethical Review Committee, confirming that ethical review has been approved.
• Written consent from the course coordinator granting permission to conduct research in their class
• Completed Application for Approval to Conduct Research Involving Students
  Download application form
• Submit documentation to: c.cochrane@business.uq.edu.au

The outcome will be conveyed to the student by the Executive Officer, UQ Business School.

Yes, as the research is being conducted under the banner of the University of Queensland a particular standard should be met. Submitting documents for a review is one method of ensuring certain necessary aspects of human participation in research is being conducted in accordance with the established practices. Under the National and University Guidelines participants must have amongst other rights, an avenue to discuss concerns either with the investigators or someone not connected with the study. To ensure that this is available to all participants the University's Human Ethics Committees have approved use of a university ethical paragraph to be included in information sheets. Thus should contact be made to the University with concerns about the research the spokesperson will have details of the approved project.

No, this is not a mandatory requirement. However, should you decide to combine the information and consent sheets, you should clearly indicate that either a copy will be given to the participant to retain (so they will have contact details of the investigator and the University Ethics Officer) or clearly indicate the 'tear-off' part of the form for the return of the completed consent slip.

If the latter method is adopted, the 'tear-off' slip must also include the title of the project.

No, the University ethical paragraph should only be included in the information sheet or section of a combined sheet. It provides the participant with the necessary contact details of the researcher and if necessary, an avenue to discuss concerns with someone not connected with the project. The information sheet or section of a combined sheet should be retained by the participant, whereas the consent form should be completed and returned to the researcher.

The review process is dependent upon the content of the application form and its supporting documents, and on the level of risk associated with the project. All members of the reviewing committee considers each application submitted for full committee review. Consensus must be reached before any submissions to the Chairperson for approval. Thus a minimum of eights weeks should be allocated for the review process.

It is the student's responsibility. Applications for ethical clearance must be developed in consultation with the student's advisory team.

1. University: Handbook of University Policies and Procedures site
2. UQ Business School website

Applications by Honours and RHD students will be assessed by the Business School's Ethical Review Committee.

PhD, MPhil and Honours students: Submit your application to the Business School's Honours Student Liaison Officer v.balson@business.uq.edu.au.

Submit your application to the School's Honours Student Liaison Officer in the first instance. Your application will be assessed by the School's Ethical Review Committee, and if approved, you must then seek permission from the School's Executive Officer to conduct your research within the classroom. You should include evidence that your application has been cleared by the School's Ethical Review Committee to the School's Executive Officer.

Submit one copy of your application form and the accompanying documentation. An electronic copy is preferred.

• Covering letter to the Committee introducing your project: download sample Covering letter
• UQ Application form: download application form
• Sample Participant Consent form (on UQBS letterhead): download consent form
• Sample Participant Information Sheet (on UQBS letterhead): download information sheet
• Sample Project Consent Form (Gatekeepers' permission) (on UQBS letterhead): download consent form
• Sample of the questionnaire being used for the survey

Your application is checked to ensure that all the documentation has been provided. If any paperwork is missing, the Honours Student Liaison Officer will contact the applicant to determine the reason. Once the paperwork is assembled, the application will be forwarded to the School's Ethical Review Committee for assessment.

The Chair of the Ethical Review Committee will consider the recommendations of the reviewers. The Chair's decision will be issued as a formal letter to the applicant's semester address on Si-net

If the School's Ethical Review Committee feels more clarification is needed or there are other issues to be addressed, the applicant will be invited to address the issues and re-submit their documentation for a second assessment.

Honours, Postgraduate Coursework students, and RHD students should prepare the following documentation:

1. Covering letter addressed to the Chair, UQ Business School Ethical Review Committee. The covering letter should:
   1. introduce the project
   2. outline the purpose of the project,
   3. clarify the various stages involved, and
   4. identify target participants for the various stages of the project.
   5. Download covering letter (word)
2. UQBS Application form
   • Download form
3. Participant Consent form (on UQBS letterhead). This will be a sample of the document to be circulated to those who are participating in the survey.
   • Download form (word)
4. Participant Information Sheet (on UQBS letterhead). This will be a sample of the document to be circulated to those who are participating in the survey. Information provided will identify:
   1. The overall approach of the project
   2. Purpose and intended outcome
   3. Where the research be conducted
   4. How the research will be conducted (e.g. interviews, survey forms)
   5. How long will each survey take
   6. How long will each interview take
   7. Whether or not interviews will be recorded
   8. Download form (word)
5. Project Consent form (on UQBS letterhead). This form will be endorsed by the company/group who give permission to the student to conduct the research within their organization/group.
   • Download form (word)
6. Sample of the questionnaire to be circulated to participants.

How to Submit

Submit the above documents to: v.balson@busines.uq.edu.au. If you consider any of the above documents are not required, please provide a reason in the covering letter for the omission. The assessment process will be delayed if:

• All documentation is not provided
• The supporting documents are not clearly labelled in accordance with the above terminology.

Yes, the application form provides a uniform method of ascertaining important information and insight into the research project that enables the reviewing committee to decide upon your submission. Therefore, it is better to answer questions in detail than to cause possible delay in processing through omission of detail. The form also acts as a tool for the researcher to ensure that all areas of the research have been considered in regard to ethical requirements.