A Survey to Determine the Capacity Development Needs of Research Ethics Committee Administrators in South Africa

2021 ◽  
pp. 155626462110567
Author(s):  
Mutshidzi A. Mulondo ◽  
Joyce M. Tsoka-Gwegweni ◽  
Puleng LenkaBula ◽  
Perpetual Chikobvu
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Research Ethics ◽  
Capacity Development ◽  
Ethics Committees ◽  
Formal Training ◽  
Research Ethics Committees ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Training Requirements ◽  
Administrator Role

Most capacity development efforts for research ethics committees focus on committee members and little on ethics administrators. Increasing studies mandate the focus on administrators’ capacity development needs to enable adequate and effective committee support. This study investigated current responsibilities, training requirements, and administrator role needs. An online cross-sectional survey was conducted among administrators from 62 National Health Research Ethics Council-registered research ethics committees in South Africa. In total, 36 administrators completed the questionnaire. Results show that, in addition to administration, they perform managerial, review process and guidance-advisory tasks. Nearly 49% indicated only having received informal research ethics-related training, not targeted formal training, with 81% of the informal training being through workshops. Research ethics administrators’ responsibilities have evolved to complex tasks requiring targeted capacity development efforts.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practice Regarding Research Ethics Committees Among Health Care Faculty at Two Public Universities in Jordan

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 372-382 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nehad M. Ayoub ◽  
Abeer M. Qandil ◽  
J. Allen McCutchan
Keyword(s):  
Research Ethics ◽  
Review Process ◽  
Conflicts Of Interest ◽  
Middle Eastern ◽  
Ethics Committees ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Research Ethics Committees ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Attitudes And Practices

Human research at Jordanian universities is increasing. This descriptive cross-sectional survey assessed knowledge, attitudes, and practices concerning the procedures and review process of research ethics committees (RECs) among faculty in health sciences in two major Jordanian universities. Most faculty reported having no training in research ethics in their current institutions. Although knowledge of RECs’ roles and functions was adequate, deficiencies were found regarding the advisory and monitoring roles for RECs raised in this survey. Faculty expressed concerns about levels of ethical training for members of RECs and potential conflicts of interest and bias in review process. RECs should provide ethics training for faculty, and future research should examine the functioning of the RECs in Jordan and other Middle Eastern countries.

A cross-sectional survey to investigate community understanding of medical research ethics committees

2015 ◽  
Vol 41 (7) ◽  
pp. 545-548 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lin Fritschi ◽  
Helen L Kelsall ◽  
Bebe Loff ◽  
Claudia Slegers ◽  
Deborah Zion ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Research ◽  
Research Ethics ◽  
Ethics Committees ◽  
Research Ethics Committees ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Medical Research Ethics

“Like a Sheriff in a Small Town”: Status, Roles, and Challenges of Ethics Committees in Academic Colleges of Education

2021 ◽  
pp. 155626462110052
Author(s):  
Daniel Sperling
Keyword(s):  
Research Ethics ◽  
Ethics Committees ◽  
Formal Training ◽  
Colleges Of Education ◽  
Research Ethics Committees ◽  
Ministry Of Education ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Academic Management ◽  
Complex Relationships ◽  
Shed Light

In recent years, Research Ethics Committees in academic colleges of education have constituted to review research proposals in the field of education. Yet, little is known about their work, composition, challenges, and relationships with external partners. This study explores the views and attitudes of 13 members and chairpersons of Research Ethics Committees in colleges of education in Israel, and two policy makers at the Ministry of Education about their roles, responsibilities, challenges, and limitations. Findings revealed an instrumental attitude towards the ethics committee. Committees are perceived as supportive rather than enforcing. Interviews shed light on the complex relationships between committee members, college lecturers/researchers, ethics regulators, and academic management. Moreover, the findings emphasized the lack of formal training and broad discussion on ethics. The study calls for strengthening committees’ raison d'être and the internalization of ethics among committee members, researchers, and lecturers in the field of education.

scholarly journals Knowledge, attitude and practice of research ethics among medical faculty in a teaching hospital

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 913 ◽  
Author(s):  
Swetha Munoli ◽  
Niveditha G. ◽  
Deepthi R.
Keyword(s):  
Informed Consent ◽  
Research Ethics ◽  
Ethics Committees ◽  
Ethics Committee ◽  
Medical Faculty ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Ethical Review ◽  
Research Ethics Committees ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Validated Questionnaire

Background: To assess the knowledge, attitudes and practice of medical faculty regarding research ethics and research ethics committees (RECs).Methods: A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted in ESIC medical colleges in Bangalore among faculty using a validated questionnaire. Questions were designed to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practice of medical faculty regarding research ethics and research ethics committees. Statistical analysis was done using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests.Results: Majority (76%) of faculty had not undergone training in research ethics. Less than half of the participants answered correctly to a question on guidelines in research ethics, 60% responded correctly to question on research involving children. Majority responded correctly to question on role of a research ethics committee and confidentiality, informed consent and to question on composition of Institutional Ethics Committee. 68% taught that ethical review of research by an ethics committee would delay research. >90% were favourable towards research ethics training. Faculty held attitudes regarding certain research ethics practices that were not optimal, 96% believed that it is okay to fabricate data, 68% taught that if no surrogate is available to give informed consent for vulnerable groups, they could still be included.Conclusions: We conclude that among the medical faculties participating in our study, there is acceptance of RECs and training in research ethics, while there are knowledge gaps in research ethics guidelines, research involving children. There is need to train researchers and students to make them aware about various aspects of research.

scholarly journals Perceptions of Challenges Affecting Research Ethics Committees’ Members at Medical and Health Science Colleges in Omani and Jordanian Universities

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Omar Al Omari ◽  
Atika Khalaf ◽  
Wael Al Delaimy ◽  
Mohammad Al Qadire ◽  
Moawiah M. Khatatbeh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Research Ethics ◽  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Ethics Committees ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Health Science ◽  
International Standards ◽  
Research Ethics Committees ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Research Activities

AbstractIn recent years there has been an increase in research conducted in the Middle East, with a corresponding increase in the challenges faced by members of the Research Ethics Committees (RECs). This study compares the structures of Omani and Jordanian RECs and investigates the perceptions of the challenges affecting the work of the REC members in Oman and Jordan. A convenience sample of 34 Omani and 66 Jordanian participants from 21 universities was recruited in this cross-sectional study. Almost 70% disagreed that the members of RECs are unqualified, providing comments without justification; half believed that members have limited experience in research, and almost three-quarters that they have different opinions regarding some ethical issues. No significant differences were found between Omani and Jordanian REC members regarding their perception of the challenges, except for the perception that reviewing proposals is a time-consuming task (p = 0.048) and that multi-REC centres are less available (p = 0.026). The regression model showed that there were significantly more male members of Jordanian RECs, and that Jordanian members were less likely to receive formal training. In conclusion, the current structure of RECs and the challenges faced by members need to be re-evaluated by decision makers to improve the overall quality of research activities, and to ensure that current REC members’ practices adhere to international standards.

Proposal for Improving Records Management Practices of Traditional Institutions in Ga Molepo, South Africa

Mousaion ◽  
10.25159/2054 ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 46-67
Author(s):  
Mahlaga Johannes Molepo ◽  
Linda M. Cloete
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Records Management ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Record Keeping ◽  
Local Municipalities ◽  
Management Procedures ◽  
Traditional Institutions

The way in which an institution treats its records is crucial for its survival in a rapidly changing society. The purpose of the study was to investigate the records management practices and challenges faced by traditional institutions of leadership and governance in Ga Molepo, Limpopo, South Africa. The researcher employed a cross-sectional survey in order to quantitatively examine the challenges faced by members of traditional councils. A researcher administered questionnaire was used as a data collection tool to study a stratified sample of 35 members from an estimated population of 350. The findings revealed patterns and trends of non-compliance with records management standards and guidelines. Although there were sporadic cases of record keeping, a greater number of respondents revealed that traditional institutions lack the facilities, equipment, education and trained/skilled personnel to apply correct records management procedures in their daily administration of their traditional communities. The main value of the study is to create awareness of records management as one of the neglected areas in traditional institutions – which are by current legislative arrangement, the closest form of leadership and governance for rural communities in light of their relationship with local municipalities and the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs.

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