Kindly note that external researchers, who wish to access Mandela staff and/or students for research purposes, cannot submit such requests on MEOS, the Mandela Ethics Online System. The relevant process, outlined below, should be followed.
Information for Researchers WITH Ethics Approval from an NHREC-Accredited Research Ethics Committee:
Researchers external to the Nelson Mandela University who HAVE obtained ethics approval from an NHREC-accredited research ethics committee should submit the request a reasonable time prior to requiring access.
Kindly note that contact with University staff and/or students may not be initiated before obtaining approval. Retrospective approval is not permitted.
The procedure for requesting access to University staff and/or students for a study follows:
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Download the RECH-EAP (Request to access University staff and/or students) template.
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Complete the form, sign it and convert it to PDF.
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Attach relevant supporting documentation as indicated below and on the form.
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Submit all documentation to the Ethics Office (researchethics@mandela.ac.za).
Suuporting documentation required:
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Appendix 1: Approved research proposal which highlights the recruitment, enrolment, data collection and data analysis activities;
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Appendix 2: Relevant Human Ethics Committee letter of approval;
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Appendix 3: Data collection instrument(s);
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Appendix 4: Written/oral information documentation for recruitment;
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Appendix 5: Written/oral information documentation for enrolment;
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Appendix 6: Informed consent form(s);
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Appendix 7: Draft letter to DVC: Research, Innovation and Internationalisation (RII) at Nelson Mandela University (see comment below*);
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Appendix 8: Proof of ethics training
*The final step, after ethics approval has been granted by the Nelson Mandela University REC-H, is the formality of obtaining institutional approval or gatekeeper permission from the DVC:RII. An email with attached formal request, a copy of the ethics clearance letter from the registered institution, the approval letter from the Nelson Mandela University REC-H, and a copy of the proposal should be sent to dvc-rii@mandela.ac.za. All requests must have the following subject line in the email: "Gatekeeper request: First initial and Surname, Institution, ethics clearance reference number"
Information for researchers WITHOUT ethics approval from an NHREC-Accredited Research Ethics Committee:
An application for ethics approval, the request for access to University staff and/or students form and all requisite documentation will be required for external researchers who do not have ethics approval from an NHREC-accredited research ethics committee.
The application needs to be submitted in conjunction with a Nelson Mandela University representative who fulfils the role of Primary Responsible (PRP). The PRP will need to be identified either from the “sister” department within Nelson Mandela University (if you are registered for postgraduate studies or a party with whom your research supervisor/promoter might have academic links). The PRP is able to assist in completion of forms and acts as a contact person for the distribution of communications via the Nelson Mandela University’s internal communication systems.
The procedure for requesting ethics approval from Nelson Mandela University AND access to Nelson Mandela University staff and/or students for a study follows:
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Download the RECH-001 (Ethics Application) template.
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Download the RECH-EAP (Request to access University staff and/or students) template.
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Complete both forms. Kindly ensure that they are both signed and converted to PDF.
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Attach relevant supporting documentation and follow the instructions in the forms for the submission of the completed application.
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Submit all documentation to the Ethics Office (researchethics@mandela.ac.za).