Overview

SoP SREC is a sub-committee of the UCC Social Research Ethics Committee (SREC). This local SREC committee accepts Ethics applications from School of Pharmacy undergraduate and taught Masters students who are undertaking social research where the methodology is not clinical or therapeutic in nature and proposes to involve:

• direct interaction with human participants for the purpose of data collection using research methods such as questionnaires, interviews, observations, focus groups etc.
• indirect observation with human participants – for example, using observation, web surveys etc.;
• access to, or utilisation of, anonymised datasets;
• access to, or utilisation of, data or case files/records concerning identifiable individuals;
• conducting internet research or research online.

Notes:

• If you are unsure which type of ethics committee your application should be sent to, please consult the ‘Procedure for Identifying the Relevant Ethics Committee’ section below.
• Complex or ‘high-risk’ ethics applications may be processed through the University SREC.
• Project supervisors should contact the SoP SREC chair if they are unsure prior to application submission.

Ethics Application Process

1. The SREC Ethics application form should be used for applications, which can be downloaded here.

2. Applicants should read the UCC Code of Research conduct before completing the application form.
3. All relevant sections of the form should be completed, and the form must be signed by the student(s) and academic supervisor(s).
4. Completed application forms and associated documentation should be emailed as one PDF document to Linda at l.mcguire@ucc.ie
     >> Note: SoP SREC applications should not be sent to SREC.
5. Once your application is submitted, you will be provided with an application log number. This number will be used in correspondence about this application.
6. SoP SREC meet once a month to review applications. The monthly submission deadline dates are here.
7. Applicants can expect an initial response from the committee within 3 days of the meeting date. Response times may be longer during the summer and during peak months (usually September/October). Any applications received after the submission deadline will be reviewed the following month.
8. If the committee have comments to be addressed, you should submit a revised application with all the revised/new text highlighted in yellow. A document providing responses (in a different colour font, e.g. green) to the points noted by the committee should also be submitted. 
9. You will receive an approval email from the SoP SREC administrator or chair when the Ethics application has been approved. Research data must not be collected until the Ethics application is approved.

How do I update or amend a previously study approved by SoP SREC?

For minor amendments to previously approved applications, please complete the attached SREC Ethics Amendment Request Form and submit it to Linda at l.mcguire@ucc.ie along with the amended ethics application form with the revised/new text highlighted in yellow. Please quote the application log number which you would have been given on receipt of your original application, include "Amendment Request" in the email subject line. The amendment request will be logged and sent to the original reviewers where practicable.

Ethics Committee Members

Dr Kieran Dalton (Chairperson – kieran.dalton@ucc.ie)

Dr Aoife Fleming

Dr Harriet Bennett-Lenane

Dr Joseph O’Shea

Dr Kevin Murphy

Dr Margaret Bermingham

Linda McGuire (administrator)

Procedure for Identifying the Relevant Ethics Committee

Ensure that the correct committee is chosen - e.g. this may include your local hospital ethics committee or audit committee.

Please consult your supervisor(s) to see which committee approved it.