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Contacts

Research Unit

Last Updated 2/7/2012 10:45:18 AM

Business Affairs
Department for Communities and Social Inclusion
GPO Box 292
Adelaide SA 5001
Phone: 08 8413 8129
Email: research@dcsi.sa.gov.au

Research Ethics Committee
Research » Research with us

Families and Communities Research Ethics Committee (FCREC)

Last Updated March 2012

FCREC reviews and assesses applications to conduct research and evaluation studies by or in the Department for Communities and Social Inclusion and Families SA (DECD). It is guided by the principles set out in the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2007), and relevant legislation, policies and codes.

FCREC is one of two NHMRC registered Human Research Ethics Committees in the SA government, and as such can also consider applications relating to other government departments.

Members of FCREC include DCSI and Families SA (DECD) staff and external members selected on the basis of their knowledge and skills.

FCREC membership [PDF 35KB]
FCREC Terms of Reference and Operational Guidelines [PDF 231 KB]
FCREC schedule and meeting dates 2012 [PDF 25 KB]
Register of FCREC approved projects [PDF 87 KB]

FCREC members: login to member area

Do you need FCREC approval?

Most human research and evaluation projects undertaken in DCSI and Families SA (DECD) - by internal and external researchers - must be approved by FCREC, particularly if they:

  • access and use DCSI or Families SA (DECD) data or records 
  • involve DCSI or Families SA (DECD) staff (eg in interviews)
  • recruit participants through DCSI or Families SA (DECD).

A study may be eligible for an exemption from FCREC review if it:

  • has received ethics approval from another Human Research Ethics Committee, and DCSI or Families SA (DECD) is not a major recruiting agency; or
  • is negligible risk research and involves the use of an existing collection of data or records that contain only non-identifiable data.

See Sections 2.2.5 and 2.2.6 of the FCREC Terms of Reference and Operational Procedures for more information.

Applying to FCREC

Reporting on projects approved by the FCREC

You are required to provide annual reports and seek FCREC approval for any project amendments.

Project progress/completion form [Doc 233KB]
Amendment application form [Doc 230KB]

Contact

FCREC Executive Officer
Email: research@dcsi.sa.gov.au
Tel: (08) 8413 8174