Research involving human subjects but is non-biomedical requires ethical clearance from the Humanities and Social Sciences Research Ethics Committee. Application is to be made on the appropriate application form, and in accordance with the guidelines below:

• General Guidelines for the Ethics Review Processes
• Guidelines for Completing Human & Social Sciences Research Ethics Application Form
• Humanities Ethics Application Form 2017
• Application for Exemption from Ethics Review 2017
• Humanities and Social Science Ethics Committee 2014
• HSSREC Informed Consent Resource Template
• HSSREC Report of Adverse Events during the Study
• 2024 HSSREC Ethics Meeting Dates
• HSSREC Learners Participants Assent Form
• HSSREC Administrator Checklist
• Notice regarding gatekeeper permission

The World Medical Association (WMA) has developed the Declaration of Helsinki as a statement of ethical principles for medical research involving human subjects, including research on identifiable human material and data. See full declaration below:

• Guideline: Declaration of Helinski updated 2013

The University of KwaZulu-Natal's Human Social Sciences Research Ethics Committee approves as submitted, approves subject to specified conditions or rejects research proposals on the basis of the University's Research Ethics Policy, and principles and procedures defined within it. HSSREC may also withdraw or suspend approval of an ongoing research project due to serious concerns regarding its ethical aspects. HSSREC will also provide guidance and advice on ethical issues to those undertaking research. HSSREC will make decisions about the quality of the research itself. Below are the terms of reference used by HSSREC.

• HSSREC Terms of Reference and Standard Operating Procedures 2014
• HSSREC Registration with SA NHREC
• HSSREC Registration Certificate

CHum

HssrecHumanities@ukzn.ac.za