Research Ethics Committees
Research ethics committee (REC)
The Research ethics committee (REC) was established in 2019. The guidelines and regulations were inspired by the UK NHS research ethic committee guidelines and was reviewed by a well-known professor in the UK. This was built up by a group of global universities graduates and was put in action in 2020. All research projects starting at the college of dentistry which are related to human, animal and hazardous materials should be reviewed and followed up by this committee. The committee has the power to reject or stop any project that is not complying with the research ethics guidelines. The ERC members are selected from each department to cover the area related to each specialty. In case of an issue outside the experience of the ERC members, an external opinion will be requested.
The committee plays a crucial role in reviewing, evaluating, and approving research proposals submitted by faculty members and postgraduate researchers, ensuring that all studies comply with ethical guidelines and institutional policies.
Committee Responsibilities and Approval Process: The primary responsibility of the committee is to assess the feasibility and ethical considerations of any proposed research project. Researchers are required to adhere to the committee’s guidelines, which include the following key principles:
Submission Process: The principal investigator (faculty member or postgraduate researcher) must complete the research ethics application form electronically when seeking ethical approval for a research project. The application must be submitted along with all relevant documentation in both electronic and hard copies to the REC.
Review and Compliance: Researchers must carefully review the Research Ethics Handbook, available from the REC, before completing their applications.
It is the responsibility of the researcher to accurately complete the application form and ensure all required information is provided.
Committee Meetings and Approval Procedures: The committee holds scheduled meetings to evaluate research proposals, with sessions organized based on the number of applications submitted.
Each approved research project is assigned a unique approval number, officially recognized by the college.
Restrictions Before Approval: No research activities may commence, and no data collection or analysis may take place before obtaining official ethical approval from the committee.
Clarity for Reviewers: Researchers must ensure that any technical terms or acronyms used in their proposals are clearly defined for non-specialist reviewers who may be assessing the application.
Through this structured approach, the Research Ethics Committee ensures that all research conducted within the college adheres to ethical standards, protects participant rights, and upholds scientific integrity, aligning with both national and international research regulations.
