FAQs

Research studies (social, scientific, biomedical, behavioral, or epidemiologic) that involve direct interaction of the research proponent with individuals or groups (e.g., sensory evaluation, interviews, focus-group discussions) and include research using identifiable human material and data (e.g., online surveys using Google Forms) are encouraged to apply for ethics review, especially if they aim to publish their results.

The PHREB Level 1 Accreditation is a provisional accreditation for RECs, as the committees are required to apply for Level 2 immediately. In the meantime, the REC accepts all types of research studies except for clinical studies and research involving Indigenous Peoples or those to be conducted within the ancestral domain. Currently, the UP Mindanao REC is only accepting studies from UP Mindanao constituents (i.e., undergraduate/graduate students, faculty members, and research staff).

As of now, the REC does not require proponents to pay an ethics review fee. The committee is still processing the technicalities of the transaction within the university.

A research proponent may apply for ethics review if their research proposal has been approved by the technical review board (e.g., undergraduate/graduate thesis panel, URDEC, DOST/CHED Technical Review Committee). The research proponent must secure an ethics certificate/clearance before implementing any part of their research, especially data collection.

For research studies to be included in next month's ethics review, the research proponent must submit the complete study protocol package at least three weeks before the REC's scheduled meeting (every 3rd Monday of the month). For example, the REC meeting for February 2024 is on February 19. Therefore, the research proponent must submit the package by January 29, 2024.

Upon approval of research studies, the REC grants an ethics certificate/clearance with a duration of one year. If the research study is not finished within this period, the research proponent can apply for an extension using REC Form 3.4A (Continuing Review Application). This form can be accessed under the 'Downloadable Files' tab.

If the resubmission is not within the specified time frame, it will be considered 'inactive' and will be archived. Subsequent submissions will be treated as initial submissions.