Human Ethics
Who Needs to Apply for Human Ethics Approval?
All researchers – staff, students and student supervisors – who are undertaking research involving humans, will need to consider the information on this site concerning human research ethics. This includes anyone who is:
- gathering information about people (and organisations) through interviewing, surveying, questionnaires, observation of human behaviour, audio/video taping;
- using archived data in which individuals are identifiable;
- studying or researching illegal activities.
If you are using information freely available in the public domain you do not need to obtain ethics approval. If you are unsure whether or not you will need ethics clearance, please contact the Faculty's Human Ethics Advisory Group (HEAG) via the ABP Research Office on 8344 3110 or the University's Melbourne Research Office - Human Ethics on 8344 2071.
Individuals who fail to comply with ethics requirements and University policy may risk disciplinary action and exposure to civil or legal action.
- Ethical research conduct in the Faculty of Architecture Building & Planning
- Guidelines and principles for research involving human subjects
How to Apply for Ethics Approval:
- Consider the ethical issues involved in your research. Students should consult with their course co-ordinators or supervisors and seek their advice about whether they need to apply for ethics approval and which application form is appropriate.
- Attend the annual information session on ethical issues and procedures for the Faculty conducted as part of the Faculty's Research Methods course.
- Read the Faculty of Architecture Building & Planning Ethics Procedures and Guidelines carefully.
- Decide which application form and procedure is appropriate for your research (see below). Each form is outlined in the Guidelines and further advice is available from the DHEAG (through the ABP Research office) or the University's ethics office.
- Complete the relevant form on-line and print it off for submission to the DHEAG.
- Handwritten applications will NOT be accepted
- Answer all questions relating to the proposed project. Where the question is not applicable, the notation "N/A" may be inserted.
- Answers must observe the specified word limit. Longer responses will need to be strongly justified.
- Prepare all necessary attachments including, if relevant, consent forms, plain language statements, interview protocols and questionnaires (a draft will need to be provided if it is not possible to provide a final version).
- Ensure the covering pages have all the necessary signatures before the form is submitted.
- Approved applications are held in a formal register of projects which, under certain circumstances, may be accessed by others. If your project includes any information of a commercial or patentable nature this information should be sent separately as part of your application and marked 'confidential'.
Submit the application to the Faculty Human Ethics Advisory Group (HEAG) as outlined below:
Which Form and Procedure Should I Use?
- Undergraduate and Postgraduate Coursework Students
- Research Higher Degree Students
- Students and Staff Undertaking High-risk Projects
- Postgraduate Research Students and Staff Undertaking Low-risk Projects
- Approval for Staff Research Projects
- Themis - Step by Step instructions
- Themis - Human Ethics
Consent and Plain Language Statements: