ERB Checklist for Researchers and Supervisors

The goal of the ERB panel is to make sure research will not impinge on participants rights and
comfort, and that copyright is not being deliberately infringed. While the ERB panel strives to
facilitate the research process rather than obstruct it, to ensure that an ERB application has the highest
chance of receiving approval, these conditions should be fulfilled:

The form is signed by both the student and the supervisor (otherwise it is an automatic rejection).
The methodology and procedure are clear. All variables are named, and operational definitions
and how each variable is measured/manipulated is clearly written.
All materials used in the study are attached as appendices and labelled clearly (e.g., consent form,
scales/questionnaires, debriefing sheets, child/parent consent form, proposed letter to outside
authorities, any other media such as pictures/video/audio, passages from a book etc.)
o Arrange appendices in the order that the ERB mentions them. So the first time you
mention an appendix, that appendix should be Appendix A. The second appendix
mentioned should be Appendix B, and so on.
All materials used in the study are referred to clearly in Sections 7 (Methodology and Design) and
9 (Procedure). Examples:
o In Section 7: Operational Definition: The average score on the Buss & Perry Aggression
Scale (1992); see Appendix A for scale as will be presented to participants, Appendix B
for original as appears in journal article. A high score would indicate.
o In Section 9: Participants will be asked to sign the consent form (Appendix C) and
complete the demographic sheet (Appendix D).
Sources for all materials are clearly presented. Use APA referencing style, as this will ensure that
all necessary information for the source is present. The same goes for material from the internet;
just a URL is not enough. Put the full reference at the bottom of the relevant appendices, and/or in
Section 7 (Methodology).
o If items or media are researcher-generated, make that very clear. All researchergenerated media should be attached for review, including audio or video.
Evidence of permission to use or that permission is not required: e.g., emails from authors of the
scale giving permission, screenshot/printout of the scale in the original journal article or published
book.
o For scales, researchers are allowed to reconstruct (and seeking permission is not
necessary) IF (a) all items are presented in full in the original (e.g., in factor analyses
tables, quoted in the body of the article, as appendices), AND (b) instructions for
responding and scoring are presented in the original (e.g. scale of 1-5 with 1 being agree
and 5 being disagree, scored as an average over 13 items). Screenshots for both (a) and
(b) should be attached in the appendices.
o Permission is required for adapting or modifying scales.
o For commercial media such as videogames, songs, or movies, evidence that they are
legal and authentic versions (e.g., digital or physical receipts, photograph of DVD case
that shows the shiny original label, attaching the original CD/DVD case). If you are
showing a video from YouTube that was uploaded by the copyright holder (e.g.,

Beyonces music video on Beyonces YouTube channel), you must provide the URL for
reference. You can also attach a screenshot of the page to demonstrate the authenticity of
the video.
For materials from the internet, a screenshot or printout of their copyright statement that
indicates that permission is not required, or that it is okay to use for research or noncommercial purposes.

Source and method of recruitment of participants should be very clear, as this will help the panel
determine if the participants are being approached in an ethical manner.
o Dont just say convenience sampling purposive sampling etc. What will the researcher
do to recruit in this manner?
o Examples: Convenience sampling, by approaching students around HELP University
and asking for volunteer participation. Purposive and snowball sampling, by posting on
Facebook to advertise the study and request participation. Interested individuals will click
on a link that will direct them to the online version of the questionnaire. At the end of
each participants session, they will be asked to forward the link to anyone they know
who meets the requirements. Participants will be recruited via IPSY.
o Note: you may not send out unsolicited emails or messages to strangers.
If seeking participants from an organization outside HELP University, proposed letters to
authorities for permission, letters to parents and underaged children (if applicable) are attached.
o Scrutiny is increased for studies that seek participation from outside HELP University.
Proofread carefully and check that language, instructions, and procedures are very clear to
both the participants as well as the ERB panel.
o The language must be very deferential and professional; researchers are requesting, not
issuing instructions. For example, instead of saying you will be given 10 minutes to
complete the scale which is an imposed limit, say completing the scale should take no
longer than 10 minutes which is an assurance that you wont take up much of their time.
o You must NOT have already sought permission from the institution or organization prior
to approval of the ERB. This is because when you approach the institution/organization,
you should be able to assure them that your research has already been ERB-approved.
Please complete sections 7, 8, and 9 in point form, and write concisely. Only include necessary
information. This is not a Method section.