Procedures for Ethics Review

All applicants for ethics approval from Massey University Human Ethics Committee or for formal peer review through the College Ethics Committee should be familiar with the MUHEC Code of Ethics and documentation on the MUHEC website: http://www.massey.ac.nz/~muhec/. Supervisors and students are reminded to prepare and submit ethics applications, to either the College Ethics Committee, or MUHEC, early in the academic year if the research must be completed within one year.

MUHEC Code and Practices

Code of Ethics. This code is on the MUHEC website and all applications to MUHEC and the College Ethics Committee should be consistent with this code.

Screening Questionnaire. The screening questionnaire is to help determine the type of approval or review procedure to be followed.

Application form. The application form applies to "research/teaching/evaluation procedures involving human participants". Before completing the form read the guidelines to applicants and guidelines on information sheet(s), consent forms(s), transcriber's agreement, confidentiality agreement, and authority for the release of tape transcripts.

Low Risk Notification Form. This form should be completed and sent with the Screening Questionnaire to notify MUHEC about the research you are doing. You should read through the submission processes detailed below before sending these forms so they are sent at the appropriate moment in the review or approval procedures.

Submission to the College Ethics Committee

The College Ethics Committee provides a formal peer review mechanism for applications that are not required to be submitted to MUHEC. Note that any researcher who answers "Yes" to a question on the Screening Questionnaire must submit to MUHEC. Other applications that are regarded as having "low ethical content" may be submitted to the College Ethics Committee for review. Written feedback will be provided, usually by e-mail. Follow these procedures if you are a postgraduate research student.

  1. Fill out the Screening Questionnaire. If all answers are "No" prepare the Low Risk Notification Form. In consultation with your supervisor decide if you require College of Education formal peer review. If “No” send 1 copy of the completed Screening Questionnaire and Low Risk Notification Form to MUHEC. If “Yes” proceed with steps 2 – 7.
  2. Complete the MUHEC application form in consultation with your supervisor(s). Complete Question 4 and 5, Sections B-M (as applicable), and appendices.
  3. Obtain approval from your supervisor to submit the application. Applications should not be submitted without the prior approval of the supervisor(s).
  4. Attach the College Ethics Committee cover sheet to the application form, replacing Section A of the MUHEC form. Note however that Question 4 Summary of the Project and Question 5 List of Attachments must be submitted. The College cover sheet must be used to avoid any confusion with MUHEC approval procedures.
  5. Submit original plus 1 copy of the Application form to Tina Blake-Ponga, Administrator, College Ethics Committee, School of Te Uru Maraurau.
  6. Your proposal will be reviewed and you will be informed if it meets the requirements of the Massey University Ethical Guidelines or if amendments are necessary to meet the guidelines.
  7. On receipt of confirmation from the College of Education Ethics Committee that the proposal has been reviewed and been found to meet the Massey University Ethical Guidelines send 1 copy of the completed Screening Questionnaire and Low Risk Notification Form to MUHEC.

Notes about College Ethics Committee Procedures

  1. The MUHEC Approval Procedures state: “Supervisors should ensure that research students are instructed in the Code and that they undertake an ethical analysis of their project, which is then discussed with the supervisor. You may find the MUHEC application form a useful tool for undertaking this ethical analysis.” The College Ethics Committee procedures provide a means of undertaking an ethical analysis by providing a formal peer review of your project. If an outside organization (eg. a funding organization or journal you wish to publish in) requires ethical approval you must submit an application to MUHEC.

Informal consultation is available through the chairperson, or departmental representatives on the College Ethics Committee. Members of the College Ethics Committee are:


Jen McLeod – Chairperson (School of Te Uru Maraurau)
Barbara Jordan (School of Arts Development and Health Education)
Gloria Slater (School of Educational Studies)
Jenny Boyack (School of Arts Development and Health Education)
Peter Rawlins (School of Curriculum and Pedagogy)
Dick Harker (Professor of Educational Research)
Jenny Poskitt (Director of the Office of Staff Research)

Readers are:


Tracey-Lynne Cody (School of Arts Development and Health Education)
Steve Lang (School of Arts Development and Health Education)
Fiona Murray (School of Curriculum and Pedagogy)

  1. Applications to the College Ethics Committee that are incomplete or do not follow correct procedures will be returned to the applicant for completion, before processing.
  1. The College Ethics Committee aims to provide feedback within one month of submission. This process will be expedited if applicants follow the appropriate approval procedure using the screening questionnaire and do not submit applications to the College Committee when they should be submitted to MUHEC.