The ERC is composed of health, allied health, and non-health professionals/practitioners. It is independent in its reflection, advice, and decision. Required training for committee members involves Health Research Ethics and Good Research Practice Training. Other recommended trainings include: Good Clinical Practice Training; Advanced Health Research Ethics & SOP training; and Research Methodologies and Research Ethics.
The UST-CRS ERC has the following goals and objectives:?
- Protect the rights and safety of humans in research by upholding the principles of Health Research Ethics and Good Clinical Practice;?
- Review all research proposals from faculty and students of the College of Rehabilitation Sciences for scientific, technical, and ethical soundness;?
- Review all other research proposals involving CRS faculty, students, personnel, and facilities for scientific, technical, and ethical soundness; and?
- On a case to case basis, it may review research proposals from academic and research units within and outside the University for scientific, technical, and ethical soundness.?
The UST-CRS ERC is under the direct supervision of the Office of the Dean of the College of Rehabilitation Sciences. It is however independent in its reflection, advice, and decision in matters pertaining to ethical review of research proposals.?
In relation to the operations of the delivery of quality services to the various departments of the college, to its stakeholders, and the observance of University policies, the office takes its direct mandate from the Office of the Dean. To support the research directions of the college, the UST-CRS-ERC works hand in hand with the Research Supervisor of the Center for Health Research and Movement Sciences. For CRS student research, the UST-CRS ERC coordinates directly with the Research Writing Coordinators of the respective department on matters pertaining to ethics review of protocols. For protocols submitted by CRS faculty and external researchers (nonaffiliated to UST-CRS), coordination is directly done with the primary investigator/s