Approval of Class Research Projects (8.2)

8.2.1 AUTEC may delegate authority for granting ethics approval to student research projects to the Programme or Course Leader in accordance with the following provisions.

8.2.2 The Course or Programme Leader is to apply for delegated authority using Form EA6 Application to AUTEC for granting of delegated authority to approve Course Research Projects (Appendix L).

8.2.3. Any delegation will be for a period of five years only, at the end of which time a new application for delegated authority needs to be made.

8.2.4. The Course or Programme Leader is to provide an annual report detailing the names of the student, the titles of their projects, the nature of each project and noting any issues that arose during the research, using Form EA7 Annual Report on Course Research Projects (Appendix M). Failure to provide this report will result in the delegation of authority being withdrawn.

8.2.5. Delegation of authority under 8.2.1 will be considered when:

8.2.5.1. The weighting of the research project is not in excess of 30 points or where the research project does not constitute more than 75% of the assessment for the course; and

8.2.5.2. The research project:

8.2.5.2.1. is of minimal risk; and

8.2.5.2.2. does not focus on any sensitive issues; and

8.2.5.2.3. meets the criteria given in sections 5.3.2.3 and 5.3.3 of these guidelines and procedures.

8.2.6. Applications should provide details of all anticipated types of research tools and methodologies, the parameters for the planned projects, and all information about the research projects that is being provided to the students, including exemplars of the Information Sheet(s) and Consent Form(s).

8.2.7. Any research project that does not meet these criteria or that falls outside the parameters established in the application, is to be submitted to AUTEC for review using the EA1 application form. Failure to refer such projects to AUTEC for review will result in the delegation of authority being withdrawn.