Description

Te Komiti Tikanga Matatika | MIT Unitec Research Ethics Committee (REC) is a Health Research Council (HRC) accredited ethics committee which operates within the bounds of MIT Unitec Research Ethics Policy. Researchers (students and staff) who are researching human beings, make applications on a range of purpose specific templates to have their research reviewed by the committee, which is comprised of experts prescribed by the HRC. This process is designed to protect the participants and the researchers from risks such as conflict of interest, exploitation, breach of privacy, health and safety.

REC derives its authority from the Unitec Academic Statute and reports on its activities to Academic Committee.

REC works closely with Tūāpapa Rangahau.

Terms of Reference & Purpose

Document: Academic Statute 2019, Section 8.1.
Location: The Nest > Policies and Procedures > Academic Statute

There shall be a Research Ethics Committee which shall be responsible to Council through Poari Mātauranga | Academic Board and which shall have power to report directly to Council.
The powers and functions of the Research Ethics Committee shall be to:
1. Recommend to Te Poari Mātauranga | Academic Board policy and processes for ensuring that MIT Unitec’s research complies with ethical standards and international best practice;
2. Approve research projects by staff and Students with respect to ensuring compliance with ethical standards and international best practice;
3. Approve protocols for ensuring that research complies with ethical standards;
4. Provide advice and guidance with regard to ethical standards related to research to anyone undertaking research at MIT Unitec; and
5. Provide an avenue for handling complaints or queries made in relation to the ethics of research at MIT Unitec.
Membership and practice of the Research Ethics Committee shall be in accordance with the National Standards for Ethics Committees and the Health Research Council’s Guidelines on Ethics in Health Research.
Membership shall also include Student membership.