DO I REALLY NEED TO APPLY FOR ETHICS CLEARANCE?  

• Click HERE to find out if you need to apply for ethics clearance (postgraduate students can refer to slides seven and eight, and undergraduate students can refer to slide nine).
• Click HERE to listen to a recording of an ethics presentation that was presented in March 2023, or click HERE to listen to a recording (slides included) that was presented in November 2017 (you can skip the first 6:15 minutes of the recording).
• The following information will mostly apply to Biomedical Engineering students:  If you’re planning to submit an ethics application to the Health Research Ethics Committee (HREC), click HERE to view a presentation that was presented by Dr Blanche Pretorius in February 2024.

APPLICATION SUBMISSION CLOSING DATE:

• The Faculty Ethics Screening Committee (FESC) will need to receive your ethics application (i.e. after both you and your supervisor have signed/submitted the application) by no later than Friday, 13 September 2024.  Late submissions can unfortunately only be reviewed at the end of January 2025.

CONFIRM RECEIPT:

• Once your supervisor has signed and submitted your ethics application form, you will receive a confirmation email from Tanya Ficker within two working days.  If you do not receive the confirmation within this period, please inform Tanya (tanya@sun.ac.za) and follow up with your supervisor to ensure that the form has been successfully signed and submitted.

FAQ: 

1. NB:  Should I apply to the Health Research Ethics Committee (HREC) or the Research Ethics Committee: Social, Behavioural and Education Research (REC: SBE)?
2. How do I apply for ethics clearance at the REC: SBE? (scroll down, click on “How-To Manuals” in the bottom left corner, then click on “Application Guide”)
3. Which form should I select if I apply for ethics clearance at the REC: SBE?
4. How do I know if my application will be classified as low, medium or high risk?
5. Are there specific submission closing dates for medium-risk applications?
6. Is there an APPLICATION GUIDE I can refer to, with standard responses from the FESC for each individual question?
7. How do I know if Institutional Permission is required?
8. Where can I download the various templates?
9. Can I include a Lucky Draw to motivate people to participate?
10. How can my supervisor sign my application form?
11. How do I respond to changes requested by my supervisor or by the FESC?
12. Troubleshooting – how do I sign in to Infonetica?
13. How do I edit my application form?
14. When can I start with my data collection?
15. How long will it take to obtain ethics clearance?
16. How do I update my personal details in the application form?
17. How do I change my email address in the application form?
18. How do I respond to stipulations or modifications from the REC? 
19. How do I submit a final report to the REC, or how do I create a sub-form in order to amend my application or upload a document? (this can only be done once your application has been approved by the REC)
20. How do I share my application form?
21. What are the REC’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)?
22. Ethics clearance for a joint degree (partnership agreement with an international institution)