UTM REC refers to UTM Research Ethics Committee. There are three categories of committee: 1) Clinical research committee (Headed by Assoc Prof Dr Ahmad Zahran Md Khuzairi), 2) Non-Clinical research committee (Headed by Dr Tan Joo Siang) and 3) Animal Research committee (Headed by Dr Fuziaton Baharudin).
There are two sessions of roadshow on 10 and 11 October 2022 (Monday and Tuesday) via WebEx to inform academicians and others about UTM REC.
It was established under the purview of the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research and Innovation), with three objectives. Prof Dayang Norhayati Abang Jawawi is the chair for UTM REC.
These are some of the points that I picked up while attending the 10 October 2022 session and 16 February 2023 session.
Why do you need ethical approval?
Some journals require consent and ethical approval that the respective researchers have acquired which indicates the research has been conducted with ethical standards.
Other than that, it is also needed for grant application (for some research grants).
When should we acquire ethical approval from UTM REC?
Before the research is conducted. For social science, it means that before a pilot study is conducted, ethical approval needs to be required. Any ongoing research (data collection) or completed research is considered as too late to apply for ethical approval, thus the application will not be processed.
For example: Once you have finished crafting your research instrument such as survey or interview protocol, you can apply for the ethical approval. Make sure you submit the research proposal with the instrument which explain about the process of data collection, research protocol (consent form, interview protocol etc.) and such. Non-clinical research must also acquires ethical approval even though it does not involve any pharmaceutical intervention, medical tools etc. Legal protocol which is used in law research also has to be approved by the research ethics committee.
“Applicants are advised to submit their ethics clearance application as EARLY as possible prior to their data collection.“
Do we have to pay for the ethical approval from UTM REC?
Yes. RM150 is the price for one ethical approval application (ONLINE submission or manual application by filling in PDF form).
Do I need to fill in any form to apply for ethical approval?
Yes. You need to fill in this PDF form according to the category related to your research. If your research involving human being, for example a health-related research on skin implant, you need to apply for the approval from clinical research committee.
There is also an online form that you can fill in your application.
How long do I have to wait for the ethical approval from UTM REC after I have submitted my application?
The duration can be up to 60 days depending on the research complexity. This is because the meeting by UTM REC will be held once every two months and the approval emails will be sent to applicants via official email ethics@utm.my.
Where can you find out more information about UTM REC?
Go to UTM Research Ethics Committee website. You may find the link to the ethical approval application in the website too.
Should you resubmit to UTM REC if you make any changes DURING the data collection that indicate there are adverse effects or change in terms of research protocol to the respondents and thus changes need to be made and data collection will be resumed after the amendment?
YES. If there are any changes that due to adverse effects to the respondents or change of dosage/machine (for clinical research) or research protocol (for non clinical research) the principal researcher needs to inform UTM REC and resubmit for ethical approval due to the changes needed.
For example, for students from School of Education who use teaching intervention in class, it is suggested to apply UTM REC and if there is any changes during the intervention in terms of the protocol due to adverse effects, UTM REC needs to be informed about any immediate action taken to ensure the adverse effects is minimized but at the same time, research protocol needs to be resubmitted.
When does it not require for you to resubmit to UTM REC?
If there is any change of researcher (add or removal), you do not need to resubmit ethical approval but you just need to inform UTM REC.
Do you need a certification of Good Clinical Practice to conduct research?
ONLY clinical research requires the researchers to be certified with Good Clinical Practice board (you need to attend a course and take an examination).
What kind of research that does not require ethical approval?
If your research use documents, archival records like books, etc. which does not involve human or/and animal, you do not need ethical approval.
If you do educational intervention such as classroom teaching intervention, do you need to apply for ethical approval?
At this moment, it is highly suggested and recommended that you apply for ethical approval because your research involves human (the possibility for adverse effects is there even though it is aimed for the benefits and improvement on learning).