Exceptions to Activities requiring AUTEC approval (6)

The following activities do not require AUTEC approval:

6.1. Evaluations or surveys conducted within the University for the specific purpose of reviewing and improving education practices and University processes,  (for example. teacher, module or programme evaluations, overall pass/fail statistics, performance data of broad groups such as mature students, international students, staff and student surveys etc.). Such evaluations or surveys must meet AUTEC’s ethical standards and must be used only for the purpose specified above. Where they are reported or published as academic research, this exception does not apply. (Refer also to Appendix Q).

6.2. Research and teaching involving existing publicly available documents or data (for example analysis of archival records which are publicly available).

6.3. Preliminary interaction or discussion where the exact research aims have not yet been formulated. This does not include pilot studies.  Action research is in a special category. Refer to Appendix S for further guidance.

6.4. Research and teaching in which a single investigator is the subject of his/her own research and where no physically or psychologically hazardous procedure is involved.

6.5. A one-off interview where the object is to seek non-sensitive factual information and no opinions are sought.

6.6. A one-off interview of limited scope and depth with professional persons, authorities or public figures, (for example. politicians, scholars, prominent authors) in the area of their expertise.  Such an interview must not comprise a major study.

6.7. Where a professional or expert opinion is sought, except where this is part of a study of the profession or area of expertise.

6.8. Observational studies in public places in which the identity of the participants remains anonymous (i.e. where the data by its nature cannot  be used to identify individuals) and compilation of the data does not involve any harmful or objectionable activity.

Researchers who are uncertain whether their proposal fits into one of the exemption categories should contact the AUTEC Secretariat or their AUTEC Faculty Representative for advice.