Integrity, Ethics and Compliance
There are some steps to consider before submitting an application to the AEC. Following these steps will assist in ensuring that the teaching or research activity will:
The 3Rs are integral to the entire length of any project involving animal use. This includes the planning, application, submission, implementation, duration and completion of the project.
Careful consideration and planning can help maximise the success of an application. The material below provides some guidance in planning the applications. The PREPARE guidelines may also assist in this regard.
When preparing an application for the Animal Ethics Committee (AEC), start by examining the hypothesis or teaching activity outcomes. Ensure the research outcomes are clearly formulated, the experimental design tests the hypothesis, and the question adds to the body of knowledge.
Conduct a literature review to confirm the hypothesis hasn't been tested before and assess the potential benefits. For teaching activities, ensure the learning outcomes are well-defined and consider alternatives for those with conscientious objections.
Next, test the experiment or teaching activity design. Determine if animals are necessary, choose the most appropriate species, and consult with a statistician if needed. Ensure the number of animals is sufficient to avoid flawed statistical analysis.
Lastly, consider all organisational elements. Confirm the availability of facilities, resources, and competent support staff. Review relevant guidelines and obtain necessary licenses or approvals. For collaborative projects, ensure agreements with other establishments are in place. Organise all relevant paperwork with the research office and commercial agreements to avoid hindrances in the approval process.
The AEC meets eleven times a year and the agenda closes three weeks before each meeting. You should submit the completed application form to the Animal Ethics Partner for the AEC by emailing animalethics@csu.edu.au.
See the About the Committee for AEC agenda closing dates for each meeting where applications will be considered.
The primary person making the application must be a current member of staff. Students are not permitted to be Chief Investigators on animal use projects.
Note: The Chief Investigator must provide evidence of their completed mandatory ethics modules with the application.
The Code (S2.4.12) states that ‘Investigators must use plain English in the application to the AEC to ensure that all AEC members are provided with sufficient information to participate effectively in the assessment of the application’.
It is important to use effective communication in applications. You should assume that the reader does not have a scientific or medical background. You should also assume that the reader does not have knowledge of your area of research. Avoid using scientific jargon or unexplained abbreviations. You should only use acronyms after first stating what they mean in full.
It is worthwhile asking someone outside your discipline area to read your summary, for example, another academic. They’re most likely to identify questions that the Committee might ask. They may also identify areas that are unclear or confusing. This will help you to edit the summary if needed.
If you can’t avoid using scientific terms you should consider defining them. You could also include a glossary but this shouldn’t be as a substitute for lay language.
The AEC safeguards the welfare of animals if we use them for scientific purposes.
They consider broad issues e.g. the scientific or educational merit of the activity as well as more specific, narrow issues e.g. husbandry, analgesia.
Some of the information requested by the Committee can appear confusing and irrelevant. Usually, this information is requested to help justify the use of animals. It is also to ensure that there are no factors that could invalidate the activity. If the activity is invalid then there is no useful outcome, leading to a waste of animals. This is contrary to the principles of the Code and the intent of the 3Rs.
It is important that any use of animals is appropriate and justified.
Elements to consider include, but are not limited to:
When completing the application ensure:
You must apply the principles of the 3Rs to the use of animals for scientific purposes. There are many resources available to support the implementation of the 3Rs.
When you apply the 3Rs there are some questions you should consider.
The AEC must examine applications as part of this process. This will often raise questions.
It can be difficult to predict what questions might arise, but it is worthwhile trying to do so or sending your application to the Animal Welfare Officer prior to submission. Identifying questions ahead of time will allow you to edit the application. Questions can lead to a delay in approving applications.
The most common questions tend to be centred on the following:
Examples include:
If you are confident that the form is complete and accurate then you are ready to submit it. Send the complete application form along with supporting documents to animalethics@csu.edu.au
Checklist for application completion
Please ensure the following information is included with your application:
Evidence of training completion
All members of the research team must provide evidence of completion of the University's training modules in Research Integrity and Animal Ethics
The Chief Investigator will receive written notification of the application outcome within approximately 10 working days following the AEC meeting. If approved, the notification will include an approval reference number.
All work must be conducted in accordance with the approved application and restricted to the listed areas. If you need to make changes to your project at a later stage, you may submit a modification request for review.
IMPORTANT: Animal use must not commence without the specific written approval of the AEC.