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  6. Guidance for Research Degree Students and Supervisors

Guidance for Research Degree Students and Supervisors

A supervisor with student

Any research project involving the collection of data or biological samples from human participants, requires ethics review by the Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC). Research degree students should consult with their supervisor and consider any ethics implications associated with their research at an early stage, to ensure they apply to HREC in good time.

Points to note

  • It is essential that you do not advertise for, or attempt to recruit, potential participants until you have received a formal response from HREC. The ethics review must take place before the data collection phase of the project commences.
  • All the research materials submitted as part of your application (e.g. consent forms and participant information sheets) should contain your OU email address, personal email addresses should NOT be used.
  • Both the HREC Project Registration and Risk Checklist and the HREC application form must include your supervisor’s electronic signature and supporting comments. Applications cannot be processed without this.

Please refer to the ethics review process diagram for guidance about how the OU ethics review process operates.

EdD (Doctorate in Education) students

It is essential that ALL EdD students apply to HREC. The HREC Project Registration and Risk Checklist should be completed initially and returned to the Human Research Ethics team so an assessment can be made as to whether a full ethics review will be required. 

Please note that the supervisor’s signature and supporting comments must be from your OU supervisor.