Progress reports:

The Human Research Ethics Committee has a responsibility to provide ongoing monitoring of research being conducted at Bendigo Health. The main way this is done is to require regular progress reporting of research. Generally a Progress Report is required annually, but in some cases the Committee may decide six-monthly reporting is appropriate. Progress reports should be submitted on the progress report proforma, and should include enough detail for the Committee to accurately gauge the current status of the project. Progress reports should include all adverse incidents and unforeseen events occurring in the period since approval or the last progress report.

Final reports:

In addition, a final report is required when all data collection on a project is completed and the research is effectively ended in terms of the participation of human research subjects. This final report can be provided on the Progress Report proforma. A final report should also attach copies of publications, conference abstracts (with details) or other publications and presentations arising from the research. It is expected that researchers will also make available to participants, where possible, a summary of research findings. Finally, the Committee encourages researchers to present their findings to the Bendigo Health unit or area in which the research was conducted.

Requests for extension:

Occasionally researchers may wish to extend their project beyond the original period for which the research was approved. The approval period is shown on the approval letter sent from the Human Research Ethics Committee at the commencement of the research. The need for an extension can arise from unforeseen consequences including difficulties with participant recruitment, delays in ethical clearance from other organisations or the deferral of studies of key researchers.

In cases where research is unlikely to be completed by the end of the approval period, researchers should apply for a request for an extension. This should be completed on the Progress Report/Request for Extension Proforma.

Research should not be conducted without Bendigo Health Human Research Ethics Committee approval.

As such, applications for extension should be made at least eight weeks prior to the end of the approval period.