Single site research projects include research projects that use data/specimens/or seek participants from one site only.
Your project is single site if you are asking Barwon Health to review the project for one site only. Barwon Health is considered a single site, which includes all Barwon Health owned locations such as Barwon Health North and McKellar Centre.
Single site Minimal risk and Quality Assurance (QA) projects are reviewed by RDU without Committee Review so can be submitted at any time.
Read all of the points in the process (including information drop-downs) before commencing with your application. Note that the numbering system is arbitrary and that multiple steps can be undertaken in parallel to save you time.
If you’re not sure whether your research is suitable for a QA/ Minimal risk application, please visit the how to prepare an application page or complete the ‘Level of Risk Checklist’. You may also contact rdu@barwonhealth.org.au with any queries.
All application submission, feedback, correspondence, information requests and approvals occur within Ethical Review Manager (ERM).
You must use the QA (Quality Assurance) VIC Form for submission of these research applications in ERM:
- Minimal risk
- Clinical Audit
- Quality Assurance
- Evaluation Activities
Note: Do not use the HREA form.
Generate a reference number for your project via the Barwon Health Research Reference Number Generator if you have not already done so.
Please ensure that your Barwon Health reference number is quoted at the time of your submission and included on the cover page of your protocol.
- Do I need to apply for a waiver of consent? Download and complete a waiver of consent checklist before you proceed, to avoid unnecessary paperwork.
- For step-by-step ERM guidance for Minimal Risk/QA submission see Page 74 of the Applicant User Guide to ERM
Essential ethics applications:
- Quality Assurance (QA) VIC form – complete via Ethics Review Manager (ERM) – Select ‘QA Form’ from drop down ‘Form’ menu (include signatures from principal investigator, associate investigators, Head of Department)
- Protocol – click for template (download)
- Curriculum Vitae of all members of the research team – click for template
- Peer Review Form for student projects only – click for guidelines and pro forma (download)
Plus supplementary documents
- Waiver of Consent application – please complete the Waiver of Consent Checklist to confirm requirements (downloads)
- Authorship Record Form Template (download) – see Guidelines on Collaborative Research and Authorship
- Supporting Documents (surveys, questionnaires, etc) – these can be set up in REDCap for secure electronic data capture
- Plain Language Statement (PLS) if using a survey/questionnaire (download)
- Head of Department Signoff Declaration of support (download)
- If a Deakin University led study, an Annexure A is required (download). Please upload to ERM partially executed (with DU signature) and RDU will secure Barwon Health Executive signature once approved.
- Fee Payment Form if the project has funding – see Fees page to confirm requirements
- Please refer to our document naming guidelines before submitting your application
- Ensure signatures are included for all investigators and Head of Department – see ERM signature guide.
- Submit your complete application (containing all supporting documents and signatures) via Ethics Review Manager (ERM) by clicking the ‘Submit’ button
- Once submitted, your application will receive in office review. You will be prompted via email (address linked to your ERM account) to log into ERM and view any feedback, correspondence, and approvals relating to your application.
- If you receive a request for further information, you need to update the QA form and/or upload any missing documents and re-submit your application via ERM.
- Following a request for further information – if no re-submission OR correspondence is received from researchers within 3 months, the application will be withdrawn from ERM.
Contact RDU with any queries or concerns
RDU is here to help. If you are not sure where to start or have a question regarding your research project, email us at rdu@barwonhealth.org.au and a member of the RDU team will get back to you within 24 hours. If you have a current application underway, please ensure you include your Barwon Health reference number in your enquiry.
Page last updated: January 21, 2025