Research Ethics Application Form

Document ID: RKEO-FRM-Ethics Application Form  |  Version 4.0  |  Effective 5 February 2026
Oryx University  ·  Research & Knowledge Exchange Office
Completion Progress
A

Applicant Details

Principal Investigator, co-investigators and student project information

💡Enter details of the lead researcher (PI) responsible for this application. If this is a student project, you must also complete the Student Project Details below. Use the + Add Co-Investigator button to include as many collaborators as needed.
Principal Investigator
Faculty *
Co-Investigators (if applicable)
💡List all researchers actively involved in the project. Click + Add Co-Investigator to add as many rows as needed. Include their institution even if they are from Oryx University.
NameInstitutionRole
— — — —
Student Project Details (Mandatory if PI is a student)
💡If the PI is a student (UG or PGT), this section is mandatory. The supervisor must also complete the Supervisor Declaration in Section J.
B

Project Details

Title, timeline, objectives and funding information

💡Describe the project in plain language so non-specialist committee members can understand it. The project summary must not exceed 300 words. Use the + Add Objective button to include as many research questions or objectives as your study requires.
Project Summary * (max 300 words)
0 / 300 words
Research Questions / Objectives
💡State each research question or objective on a separate line. Click + Add Objective to add more. You can remove any by clicking the × button.
Funding Source *
Collaborative Project
C

Participants

Who will take part, how they will be recruited, and inclusion/exclusion criteria

💡Tick all participant categories that apply and enter the estimated number in each group. Research involving children (<18), vulnerable adults, or Qatar-specific groups (e.g., domestic workers, migrant labour) will require additional safeguards and scrutiny.
Participant Categories (check all that apply)
CategoryIncludeNumberDetails / Notes
University staff
University students
General public (18+)
Children (<18)
Patients / Service users
Vulnerable adults
Qatar-specific groups (e.g. domestic workers, migrant labour)
Other
Payment, Reimbursement or Incentive
D

Consent

How informed consent will be obtained and documented

💡Informed consent is a cornerstone of ethical research. Written consent is the preferred method. If you select an alternative, provide a clear justification. All participant-facing materials must be available in Arabic as required under Qatari law.
Consent Method (check all that apply)
Participants Under 18 or Lacking Capacity
Right to Withdraw
Limits on Withdrawal
Arabic Language Materials (Required in Qatar)
E

Methods and Procedures

Data collection approach, research setting and participant burden

💡Tick all data collection methods you plan to use and provide relevant details for each. For covert observation or AI-assisted tools, additional justification will be required. Provide a realistic estimate of the time each participant will spend.
Methods Used (check all that apply)
MethodUseDetails / Specification
Questionnaire / Survey
Interview
Focus group
Observation
Experiment
Physical measurements
Secondary data analysis
AI-assisted analysis (e.g. transcription, coding, NLP)
Other
Research Location (check all that apply)
F

Risks and Benefits

Ethical balance of potential harms, mitigations and anticipated gains

💡Be thorough and honest about risks — even minimal ones count. For each risk type you identify, describe the nature of the risk and your specific mitigation plan. UREC expects a clear argument that benefits outweigh risks. If a risk type truly does not apply, leave it unticked.
Potential Risks to Participants
Risk TypeAppliesDescription of RiskMitigation Measures
Physical harm or discomfort
Psychological distress or upset
Social risks (reputation, relationships)
Economic risks or financial harm
Legal risks
Privacy or confidentiality breach
Time burden or inconvenience
Other
G

Data Management

Personal data collected, storage, retention, sharing and international transfer

💡Qatar's PDPPL (Personal Data Protection and Privacy Law) requires that personal data is collected only for legitimate purposes, stored securely, and not transferred outside Qatar without adequate protections. Justify the collection of every category of personal data you select.
Personal Data Types Collected (check all that apply)
Data TypeCollectJustification for collection
Name
Contact details (email, phone, address)
Date of birth / Age
Gender
Nationality / Ethnicity
Health information
Financial information
Religious or political views
Audio / Video recordings
Photographs
Location data
Other
Legal Basis for Processing Personal Data
Anonymisation
Third-Party Data Sharing
International Data Transfer
H

Sensitive Topics

Ethically sensitive research areas requiring additional scrutiny

💡Answer honestly for each topic. If your research touches on any of these areas, describe your justification and the specific safeguards you will put in place. Sensitive topics receive heightened scrutiny from UREC. If none apply, select "No" for all.
TopicYesNoJustification and Safeguards (if Yes)
Illegal activities
Sexual behaviour
Drug or alcohol use
Mental health
Violence or abuse<\/td>
Religious beliefs
Political opinions
Death and dying
Other sensitive topic
I

Deception and Covert Research

Transparency, debriefing and covert observation

💡Deception should only be used when it is scientifically necessary and cannot be avoided. Full debriefing is generally required if any deception is involved. Covert observation raises significant ethical concerns and requires a particularly strong justification.
Full Disclosure to Participants
Debriefing
Covert Observation or Recording
J

Declarations

All declaration boxes must be checked before submission

⚠️All declaration checkboxes in this section are mandatory. By checking each box you confirm that you have read and understood the statement. The form cannot be submitted until every declaration is checked. The Supervisor Declaration is required for student projects only.
Principal Investigator Declaration

I confirm that:

Supervisor Declaration (for student projects only)

I confirm that:

K

Checklist of Attachments

Supporting documents to accompany this application

💡Tick each document you are attaching. Applications without the required documents may be returned or delayed. Email all attachments alongside the submitted PDF to the RKEO. Documents marked "All projects" are mandatory for every application.
DocumentRequired?Attached?
Participant Information Sheet (PIS)All projects
Consent FormAll projects
Recruitment materials (posters, emails, social media posts, etc.)If applicable
Questionnaire or survey instrumentIf applicable
Interview / Focus group topic guideIf applicable
Debriefing sheetIf deception used
Parent / Guardian information sheet and consent formIf minors involved
Assent form for childrenIf minors involved
External ethics approval (from another institution or body)If applicable
Data management planRecommended
Risk assessmentIf fieldwork involved

Ready to Submit Your Application?

Clicking Submit Application will validate the form, generate a PDF copy for your records (downloaded automatically), and open your email client with a pre-drafted message to rkeo@oryx.edu.qa for UREC review. Please attach the downloaded PDF to that email before sending.