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Research governance mechanisms typically include a system for ethics approval of research. For many types of research, including research with humans, human data or animals, ethics review is compulsory, and approval must be granted before data collection can begin. <\/p>\n\n

Reviews are normally undertaken by committees who seek to protect the interests of research participants, the institution, and other stakeholders.<\/p>\n\n

They also ensure that research complies with local and internationally accepted ethics guidelines and legal requirements. In many countries, these committees are known as research ethics committees or RECs. In other countries, they may be known institutional review boards (IRBs); ethics review boards (ERBs); or ethics review panels (ERPs). <\/p>\n\n

RECs are normally comprised of members from a range of disciplines or professional backgrounds to ensure relevant expertise and input from different perspectives.<\/p>\n\n

RECs must be free from influence by the researchers, funders or other stakeholders so they can provide an unbiased opinion.<\/p>\n\n

RECs have the power to authorise a project, request modifications or prevent studies that do not conform to accepted ethical norms and standards.<\/p>\n\n

There are different types of RECs. For instance, many countries have centralised systems for clinical research that involves patients or healthcare staff. Many universities have their own RECs and some have different RECs for different disciplines.<\/p>\n\n

RECs can have different templates and processes for applications, but all have the same basic requirements. They want to know:<\/p>\n\n

\n\t
- About the research proposal - why the research is being conducted and exactly what it will involve<\/li>\n\t\t
- How the research and the researchers are complying with all the relevant legal and ethical requirements<\/li>\n\t\t
- What risks are associated with the project and how these are being mitigated<\/li>\n\t<\/ul>\n\t<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
  RECs have a critical role in upholding ethical standards in research. With their significant combined expertise, they can spot potential problems in research proposals and help to ensure that both researchers and participants are protected from harm. <\/p>\n"},"library":"H5P.AdvancedText 1.1","subContentId":"5e919222-c802-4a76-82c4-b16f032c3182","metadata":{"contentType":"Text","license":"U","title":"Untitled Text"}},"title":"Video Transcript"}],"hTag":"h2"}

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Research Ethics Committees