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Scope Research and Ethics Approval
Management approval of research
All research projects that have Scope clients or staff as research participants must have preliminary approval by the Executive. This is to ensure the research meets strict ethical standards, aligns with Scope's Mission and can be adequately resourced by the organisation.
Once approved by the Executive the research will typically require approval from the Scope Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC).
Scope Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC)
The Scope Human Research Ethics Committee (Scope HREC) is a Scope management committee which is registered as a Human Research Ethics Committee with the National Health and Medical Research Council:
HREC Identification Number: EC00428
Organisation Identification Number: ORG0554
As such, the Scope HREC is constituted and functions in accordance with the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research.
Scope Of The HREC’s Responsibilities For Ethical Review
The Terms of Reference for the Scope HREC outlines the following responsibilities:
(a) To advise and recommend on ethical matters arising in relation to research involving Scope.
(b) To ensure research is designed and conducted in accordance with the Australian code for the responsible conduct of research
(c) To consider the ethical implications of all proposed research the committee receives and approves, request amendment of, or reject a research proposal on ethical grounds. The proposed research will be that involving human participants which is to be carried out under the auspices of Scope or which would involve Scope clients or staff as participants.
(d) To monitor and audit approved research to verify that the conduct of research conforms to the approved proposal.
(e) At the Scope HREC’s discretion, to undertake ethical review of research on behalf of Australian disability organisations without formal HREC’s.
(f) To adopt measures to identify and manage any real, potential and/or perceived conflicts of interest of HREC members, Scope or researchers.
(g) To ensure that review processes eliminate any unnecessary duplication wherever there is at least one other institution in addition to Scope with responsibility to ensure that a human research project is subject to ethical review.
(h) To handle any complaints about research or the conduct of research within Scope.
Where it deems reasonable and appropriate, the HREC may - on behalf of Scope - impose additional requirements over and above those of the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research and the Code for the responsible conduct of research as conditions of approval.
Scope HREC meetings
The committee meets four times each year. Researchers are typically invited to attend the meeting to discuss their application.
Meeting dates for 2012
- Wednesday 1st February
- Wednesday 2nd May
- Wednesday 1st August
- Wednesday 7th November
Research applications must be received by the HREC Contact Officer at least two weeks before the meeting date to ensure they will be reviewed at that meeting. All other documentation, such as progress reports and extension of time requests must be received by the HREC Contact Officer at least one week prior to the meeting date.
Research approval and ethics application process
Scope research approval process
Researchers who want to undertake research with Scope clients or staff need to complete a two-stage process before research can commence:
- Preliminary Research Application - to get approval for the research by Scope's management
- Ethics Application - to get approval by Scope's HREC
Ethics Application Process with Templates
For further information about the research approval process contact: Megan Thompson, HREC Officer, +61 3 9843 3000, email mthompson@scopevic.org.au
Preliminary research application
All research needs to be approved by management to make sure it aligns with Scope's strategic direction and that Scope has the resources to properly support the research. This application needs to be approved before an Ethics Application can be considered. The application form explains what to do.
