The Law Faculty Research Ethics Committee reviews all research conducted in the Faculty that involves the collection of data from or about human participants (including for example interviews, focus groups, observations or surveys with human participants and proposed research involving staff or students). 

The Law Faculty Research Ethics Committee aims to work with applicants to understand the ethical imperatives of their proposed research and improve research protocols to meet the requirements of ethical conduct. This educative and facilitative function is consistent with South Africa's Constitution which prohibits participation in research without informed consent (s 12(2)(c)). The Committee's function also complies with national legislation - the National Health Act 61 of 2003 - which defines 'health' very broadly to include the well-being of all humans, and 'health research' as including 'surveys, interviews, focus groups or ethnographic observations'.

No research may begin unless clearance has been granted by the REC. No retrospective ethics clearance may be granted. 

Outside visiting researchers seeking to work with UCT staff or students must do so in collaboration with a member of UCT staff.

Applications for ethics clearance are due by the 10th of every month (or the closest working day thereafter). Full ethics review and revisions frequently take up to a month or longer. Please plan your research accordingly.

Expedited Review

Researchers conducting studies which entail only minimal risk, that do not involve the collection of any identifiable or sensitive personal data, are not contentious or are not working with any vulnerable populations (e.g. victims, minors, prisoners or other captive populations, low-income communities) may apply for expedited review by ticking the relevant section of the application form.

Applications for expedited review are not necessarily handled faster than other applications, but only require the approval of one member of the Law Faculty Research Ethics Committee in addition to the Chair.

If the research involves the collection of any privately identifiable or sensitive personal data about participants (e.g. biographical information, information on disabilities, vulnerabilities, health/medical conditions) then the proposal is NOT eligible for expedited review. If the project is not judged to be of minimal risk and therefore does not meet the requirements for expedited review, it will be submitted for review by the full committee.

Exempt from Review

Research that does not involve human subjects or that uses data collected by a third party does not need to be submitted to this committee for approval. Not all information that is in the public domain is automatically exempt from review since there may be research ethics implications to the study. We recommend that the REC  provide applicants with confirmation that their proposed research is exempt from review.

Additional Resources

We recommend that applicants read the UCT policy for responsible conduct of research  and the UCT research ethics code for research involving human participants. If you are planning to access UCT staff or students as participants in your research, please read the UCT policy for ethics clearance and permission to engage UCT staff and/or students or their data in research.

We also recommend that you complete the training provided by the Office of Research Integrity before completing your application for research ethics clearance.

Questions?

Please send queries to your departmental contact or directly to the Servicing Officer of the LAWREC.

Chair: A/Prof Kelley Moult, Kelley.moult@uct.ac.za

Servicing Officer: Ms Lamize Viljoen, lamize.viljoen@uct.ac.za

Ethical clearance is granted for a period of 12 months.

It is the responsibility of the applicant to submit the following documentation when applying for an extension/renewal of his/her ethics application to conduct research with human participants.

The requested information is to be submitted in a timely manner two months before the expiration date of the study to the REC.

All research conducted in or under the auspices of the Law Faculty that proposes to involve the collection of data from or about human participants must be submitted for review by the Research Ethics Committee (REC). No research may begin unless clearance has been granted by the REC. No retrospective ethics clearance may be granted.  The objective of the Research Ethics Committee is to raise awareness of ethical imperatives and improve research proposals to meet these imperatives. This educative and facilitative function is consistent with South Africa's Constitution which prohibits participation in research without informed consent (s 12(2)(c)). The Committee's function also complies with national legislation - the National Health Act 61 of 2003 - which defines 'health' very broadly to include the well-being of all humans, and 'health research' as including 'surveys, interviews, focus groups or ethnographic observations'.

Submit your application here if you are

• a postgraduate student in the School of Education
• a staff member/Research Associate in the School of Education. 

Before submitting your application

• Please read the Humanities Research Ethics Guide  and School of Education Research Ethics Guide  
• Please meet with your supervisor to discuss ethics in relation to your research project.
• Please obtain a signed statement from your supervisor that s/he has approved the Ethics submission. Letter to be be uploaded in your application.
  

While completing the application you will be asked to upload the following documents:

• research proposal
• Information letters and consent forms (see an example letter and form)
• All research tools such as questionnaires & interview questions
  

You should receive feedback within two weeks of submission.

Once your application is approved you will receive  a letter with outcome and reference number which is signed by the Chair  of the School of Education REC.

If you are conducting research in a government school that falls under WCED, you will need to get ethical clearance from the School of Education BEFORE making that application.

If applying for access to staff and student  populations at UCT, do so after ethics approval has been received.   

• form DSA100 (access to students) submit to Department of Student Affairs
• HR194 (access to staff) submit to Human Resources
  

• Principal Investigators must ensure that they submit an Annual report for all open AEC protocols, and a Final report for completed protocols, by the 28th of February for each preceding year. Failure to comply with this requirement will result in the study being suspended, or other action being taken by the AEC.
• No sections of this form may be changed or removed, other than expanding available space in the text blocks provided.
• All sections of this form must be completed.

Please direct all queries to:

The Administrative Officer

Research Ethics Office

Faculty of Health Sciences

E53 Old Main Building

Groote Schuur Hospital

Phone: (021)650 5677

E-mail: fhsanimalresearch@uct.ac.za

• Principal Investigators must ensure that they submit an Annual report for all open AEC protocols, and a Final report for completed protocols, by the 28th of February for each preceding year. Failure to comply with this requirement will result in the study being suspended, or other action being taken by the AEC.
• No sections of this form may be changed or removed, other than expanding available space in the text blocks provided.
• All sections of this form must be completed.

Please direct all queries to:

The Administrative Officer

Research Ethics Office

Faculty of Health Sciences

E53 Old Main Building

Groote Schuur Hospital

Phone: (021)650 5677

E-mail: fhsanimalresearch@uct.ac.za

Note: Major amendments to previously approved studies should rather be submitted as new applications on the correct form, with a covering letter and termination report for the previously approved study.

This form must be used to report any adverse event or unanticipated problem affecting animal welfare, all animal deaths and euthanasia due to animals found sick or in distress as well as Animal Ethics Committee authorized protocol deviations or violations.

This report must be submitted immediately following telephone contact with the UCT FHS Animal Welfare Manager or the UCT FHS Designated Veterinarian. Should an incident occur outside of UCT working hours, on week ends or public holidays, the UCT Veterinary Scientific Services emergency on call Veterinarian or Para-veterinarian must be contacted. All contact details are available by following this link: http://www.caresa.uct.ac.za/

PLEASE NOTE: If you wish to remain anonymous, please contact the Whistle-blowing hotline either via uct@whistleblowing.co.za or dial the 24-hour hotline at 0800 650 000. 

For more information, kindly refer to the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for reporting alleged irregularities, adverse events and unanticipated problems in the use of animals for scientific purposes which can be found on the FHS AEC website ( http://www.health.uct.ac.za/fhs/research/animalethics ).