Independent Human Research Ethics Collective
Protecting Participants, Supporting Researchers
We provide independent human ethics review services
Tēnā koe and welcome to the Independent Human Ethics Review Collective for Aotearoa New Zealand. We provide a streamlined ethics review process for social science researchers to ensure your research meets the ethical standards expected in Aotearoa New Zealand. We will also provide research ethics review non-HDEC health & disability research.
We were established to provide commercial-level service by paying expert and experienced chairs and reviewers for their work. Our fees reflect the true cost of ethics review; we believe that institutions - particularly government agencies - can no longer expect to receive ethics review for free.
For those with less money and more time, particularly community researchers, please apply to our charitable sister organisation, the Aotearoa Research Ethics Committee.
The terms of reference (operating rules), the participant information sheet templates, consent templates, and the application form, can be found on the resources page.
For our history, and Advisory Board, please see the about page
Our Aim
IHREC's aim is to provide effective and fast research reviews that explain to applicants how to meet the standards expected of human subject research in New Zealand.
Building on the legacy of the revolutionary approach of the Aotearoa Research Ethics Committee, our IHREC is committed to a review process that:
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Provides applicants with the same dignity and autonomy we expect researchers to extend to their participants
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Delivers clear, constructive suggestions that enhance both the research quality and the researcher's experience with ethics review
Ethical Standards used by IHREC
We provide research ethics review so that researchers can meet the ethical standards expected of researchers in Aotearoa New Zealand, based on national guidelines from a variety of institutions
Social Science research standards
Smith, B., Reynolds, P., Russell, K., & et. al. (2010). Te Ara Tika Guidelines for Māori Research Ethics: A framework for researchers and ethics committee members. Health Research Council of New Zealand.
Provides a framework for addressing Māori ethical issues within the context of decision-making by ethics committee members
In New Zealand, Royal Society Te Apārangi's Code of Professional Standards and Ethics is a professional code that Members of the Society are bound to obey. It is also used on a voluntary basis by others.
Health & Disability research standards
Provided by National Ethics Advisory Committee, these are the standards against which researchers and ethics review committees use to determine the ethics of health and disability research projects.