When can I start conducting my research?

After you have submitted your application to the School Committee it will be reviewed and you will receive feedback. Feedback will be given approximately two weeks after the submission deadline. Your application may be approved, or require revisions. If it requires revisions and re-submission then you will only be able to resubmit for the next deadline. It is therefore important to make sure that your initial application is correct and complete.

If the School Committee endorses your application, then this decision is communicated to the university’s HREC (Non-Medical) committee. They then need to ratify this decision in order for your application to be approved.

Once your application has been approved, you will be emailed an ethics protocol number and you may begin conducting your research.

Importantly, you cannot begin data collection without an ethics protocol number.

If you are collecting data from Wits staff or students, you will still need to obtain permission from the university registrar after you have received ethics clearance. This should be a formality. Download and submit the registrar request form.