Ethics Committee of The Hochschule Niederrhein
for non-invasive research on humans

Welcome to the information page of the Ethics Committee for non-invasive research on humans at The Hochschule Niederrhein.

The Ethics Committee was set up to examine the ethical justifiability of research projects involving human subjects and their personal data. The aim is to ensure the protection of the people involved and to comply with data protection regulations.

The main task of the Ethics Committee is the examination of research projects from the faculties of The Hochschule Niederrhein for ethical justifiability. This applies in particular tonon-invasive studies on humans, for example in economics, psychology or the social sciences. The examination includes, among other things, whether:

• the necessary precautions have been taken to minimise the risk to the test subjects.
• there is an appropriate balance between the benefits and risks of the project.
• the consent of the subjects or their legal representatives is sufficiently documented.
• the implementation of the project complies with the relevant provisions on data protection.

In addition, the Ethics Committee supports scientists by providing advice on ethical and data protection issues in research projects.

Composition

The Ethics Committee consists of eight members, all of whom are members of The Hochschule Niederrhein, including at least one professor from the field of medicine or Health Sciences, one professor from the field of social sciences, one lawyer, the data protection officer of the Hochschule Niederrhein or a representative appointed by him or her. The members of the committee are appointed for a four-year term of office by the Presidential Board on the recommendation of the faculties or the Senate. The Ethics Committee currently consists of the following members: Prof Dr Martin Alfuth, Wiebke Holetzek, Dieter Kraetzig, Prof Dr Matthias Mertin, Prof Dr Michaela Noreik, Prof Dr Bastian Quattelbaum, Prof Annika Walker and Prof Therese Werner-Bierwisch.

Important: The Ethics Committee does not fulfil the tasks of a public-law ethics committee in accordance with the North Rhine-Westphalia Health Professions Act. Research projects with medical or pharmacological issues or those subject to the Medical Devices Act are not reviewed.

The Ethics Committee acts on applications from scientists at The Hochschule Niederrhein. To ensure a smooth and quick review of your research project, please note the following steps:

1. check responsibility and exclusion criteria

Before submitting your application, please make sure that your project falls within the remit of the Ethics Committee.

• The Commission examines non-invasive research involving human subjects (e.g. in economics, psychology or the social sciences).
• The committee does not review research projects with medical or pharmacological issues or those that are subject to examination under the Medical Devices Act.

• Exclusion: Applications whose research projects have already been started or which have already been submitted to another ethics committee for review are generally not accepted. A corresponding declaration must be enclosed with the documents.

2. prepare application documents

Applications must be submitted digitally using the application form provided or recommended by the Ethics Committee, which can be found under Downloads. Your application must be complete and contain the following information:

• A detailed description of the research project,
• a description of the ethical and data protection aspects and
• a declaration of consent from the test subjects.
• Planned research instruments (questionnaires, interview guidelines, etc.)

Important for students: Applications from students may only be submitted by the respective supervising teacher.

3. procedure after submission

The office of the Ethics Committee is the central point of contact for your application.

• Completeness check: The office checks the submitted applications for completeness. Incomplete applications are returned to the applicants for completion.
• Examination: The committee examines the complete applications for ethical justifiability and compliance with data protection law.

• Request for information: The Commission may request additional information or an oral explanation from the applicant.

4. decision and re-registration

The Ethics Committee adopts one of the following resolutions:

• Approval of the application,
• recommendation of reworking or amendments, or
• rejection of the application.

You will be informed of the committee's decision in text form.

In the event of rejection: In the event of rejection, the decision is justified and the application may be revised and resubmitted.

Request for re-examination: The applicant may request a reasoned re-examination of the application within two weeks of notification of the decision. The Commission will then decide on the application after reconsideration. There is no formal right of appeal beyond this.

No fees are charged for the examination of research projects by the Ethics Committee.