Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Research Ethics Platform (REP)?

Designed to make it easier for you to conduct your research, the Research Ethics Platform is a new digital research ethics tool that will facilitate the gaining, maintaining and managing of ethics approvals.

Can external investigators on a project access the application?

No. Only RMIT staff and Student using single-sign-on can access the Research Ethics Platform. Applications can be downloaded as a PDF (Click 'Print' on the 'Actions' menu) from the system and shared if required.

Will my existing applications and approvals show in REP?

Yes. Approvals and applications made prior to March 2020 were migrated to the new Research Ethics Platform. These will be listed as Projects on on your 'Home' screen. Only a basic set of data (including documents) associated with these records is available online.

How do I create a new application?

On the 'Actions' menu, click 'Create Project'. Enter the project title and select the main form type (Human or Animal)

How do I save the form?

When you have opened the form, the 'Save' button is located on the 'Actions' menu (located on the left-hand side of the page). The form is also saved when you navigate using the 'Next' and and 'Previous' buttons on the 'Actions' menu. As with all RMIT applications you will be logged out automatically after a period of inactivity, so ensure you save your work periodically,

Is the form automatically saved?

No. When you have opened the form, the 'Save' button is located on the 'Actions' menu positioned on the left-hand side of the page. The form is also saved when you navigate using the 'Next' and and 'Previous' buttons on the 'Actions' menu. As with all RMIT applications you will be logged out automatically after a period of inactivity, so ensure you save your work periodically,

I am the Co-Investigator on a project, can I submit an ethics application?

Yes. A co-investigator or student can create an ethics application. However before you can submit you must request the signature of the Principal Investigator. The signature is requested when you select your role on the project in the 'Declaration' section of the form. You will be unable to make changes to the form once you request a signature

I have been asked to sign a form, how do I do this?

If a co-investigator or student completes an application they will be required to request your signature if you are the Principal Investigator on a project. In your work area, click the 'Signatures' tile. This lists all applications where your signature has been requested. Click View Form. On the 'Actions' menu (positioned on the left-hand side of the page), click 'Sign', and then 'Accept' once you have read the declaration.

How do I submit an application?

The submit button is located on the 'Actions' menu positioned on the left-hand side of the screen. You will not be able to submit the form until you have answered all compulsory questions. If you are a co-investigator/student on the project, you will be unable to submit until the Principal Investigator has signed the completed application.

I am listing investigators on the form - what if I cannot find them using 'Search User'?

The 'Search User' functionality searches all existing users of the system. If a person is not appearing in the search results this means they are not currently a user. Please request that the staff member or student log into REP. By doing so, an account will be created automatically for them and their details updated overnight. You will then be able to list them as an investigator on the project

I am seeing a warning 'The project owner must update your project', what does this mean?

Occasionally updates will be made to the forms within the system. This is to accommodate revisions to guidance text or questions. If you have yet to submit a form or it has been unlocked for amendment, then you will receive the following message: Warning: The project owner must update your project in order to submit this form If you are the owner of the project, ensure you have saved the form, and then click 'Update'. This will update the form to the latest version. If any compulsory questions have been added, you will need to complete these before you can submit.

Can I submit an Institutional Biosafety application through REP?

The online forms for dealings with genetically modified organisms are currently being developed to be deployed in April. In the interim, please contact biosafety@rmit.edu.au for further information.

How do I know when a progress report is due?

Locate and open your project within REP. Click on the 'Centre' tab, and the date your next report due is labelled 'Expiry Date'. You will also receive an email reminder 30 days and 7 days before this due date.

How do I create a progress report?

Locate and open the project from the list on your 'Home' screen. On the 'Actions' menu (positioned on the left-hand side of the page) click 'Create Sub-form'. Select Annual Report or Final Report from the drop-down and click 'Create'

Will my progress reports submitted prior to March 2020 be in REP?

Yes. Annual and final reports accepted by the relevant committee will be in the Research Ethics Platform. These reports appear in the Project Tree when you open your project. They contain only minimal information, such as when the report was submitted,

Can I create multiple progress reports?

Yes. However, you the system allows only one annual /final report to be created concurrently. Once the report has been accepted by the relevant committee, the report's status will be updated in the system, and you can create another report.

I have received an email reminder but I have already submitted my progress report, why?

If you receive an email reminding you to submit your progress report, but have already done so, please ignore. Once the report has been accepted by the relevant committee, you will no longer receive reminders.

Can I share a project with a co-investigator?

Yes. Open the project you would like to share. Click the 'Roles' button on the 'Actions' menu (positioned on the left-hand side of the screen) Enter the RMIT email address of the collaborator you would like to share with and select ‘Co-Investigator’ from the list of roles. Click ‘Share Role’ when done.

How do I amend my ethics approvals?

Open your project from the the list of projects on your 'Home' page. Click the 'Create Sub-form' button on the 'Actions' menu (positioned on the left-hand side of the screen. Choose 'Human/Animal Research Ethics Amendment' from the list and click 'Create' Note: For projects approved prior to introduction of Research Ethics Platform in March 2020, you will be required to complete and attach a copy of the existing amendment request form. A link to the form is contained in the 'Introduction' section.