Review Process

 

STEP 1: Submission of Documents to the REO

  1. Fill out RERC Form 6A and attach the corresponding files needed. You may download the files here:Application for Ethics Review
  2. Label your files accordingly:
    • Proposal, version #, date submitted: Proposal, version 1, 01 January 2023
    • Informed Consent Form, version #, date submitted: Informed Consent Form, version 1, 01 January 2023
    • Data Gathering Materials, version #, date submitted, Questionnaire, version 1, 01 January 2023.
  3. Kindly include also a Certificate or Approval signed by BOTH the Thesis adviser and Panel members, if your submission is your thesis/course requirement.
  4. Curriculum Vitae of lead and co-researchers must be attached.
  5. Informed Consent Form and Data Gathering Materials must be attached.
  6. Save your files individually, and put them into one (1) zipped folder.
  7. Submit the folder containing the files through the Application for Ethics Review Submission Page

 

Step 2: Initial Review

 

In the initial review, the REO will go over the documents submitted to ensure completeness of the research protocol. The REO may request for modifications before the protocol can be submitted to the Research Ethics Review Committee. When the proponent has submitted a complete research protocol, the REO forwards the documents to the RERC.

There are three types of research ethics reviews:

 

  • Exempted (Step 3A)
  • Expedited Review (Step 3B)
  • Full Review (Step 3C)

 

Step 3A: Exempted from Review

 

Projects which involve the collection data from public available databases or public documents are exempted from review.

The results will be communicated to the proponent.

 

Step 3B: Expedited Review

 

Projects posing minimal risk to research subjects go through expedited reviews. Risk is minimal when “the probability and magnitude of harm or discomfort anticipated in the research are not greater in and of themselves than those ordinarily encountered in daily life or during the performance of routine physical examinations or tests” (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 1994, p.6, as cited by Hadjistavropoulos, & Smythe, 2001).

 

There are four possible outcomes of an expedited review:

  • Approved
  • Minor modifications required
  • Major modifications required
  • Disapproved

 

If the proposal is approved, it will be granted clearance from the RERC and the results will be communicated to the proponent.

The results of an expedited review will be communicated to the proponent(s) within 2 weeks.

Proponents are asked to resubmit their proposal and protocol documents if substantial revisions are required. The RERC will provide a rationale for this decision and comments/suggestions to help the proponent revise his/her proposal.

Step 3C: Full Review

 

Research projects which pose a more than “minimal risk” to research participants or subjects are subjected to a full review by the Research Ethics Review Committee (RERC) at the end-of-term meeting.

A full review entails a formal face-to-face meeting among RERC members to discuss the ethical issues and to arrive at decisions regarding the ethics of a research project. The RERC may request for the proponent/s to attend the RERC Full Review meeting.

Once the RERC has convened for a meeting, there are four possible outcomes from a Full Review:

 

  • Approved
  • Minor modifications required
  • Major modifications required
  • Disapproved

 

If the proposal is approved, it will be granted clearance from the RERC and the results will be communicated to the proponent within a week’s time.

If the proposal requires modifications, the RERC sends comments/suggestions/questions to the REO and the REO will send it to the proponent. The proponent will be asked to address the comments of the RERC by submitting revised or additional documents to the REO. The RERC will then review the proponent’s submission and, if he/she adequately addresses the concerns of the reviewer, the proposal will be approved and granted clearance by the RERC. The results will be communicated to the proponent.

Proposals are disapproved when there are aspects of the study that are deemed unethical or when the ethical issues cannot be resolved. The RERC will provide a rationale for this decision. The decision will be communicated to the proponent. The proponent has the option of (1) revising and resubmitting his/her proposal and (2) appeal the RERC’s decision.

 

Please contact the Research Ethics Office for any questions regarding the review process.

Email: [email protected]
Tel. Number:524-4611 local 513