Research Ethics

Human Research Ethics at Cave Hill


Protection of Persons, Education, and Outreach
The UWI Office of Research actively promotes education and quality assurance to ensure that faculty and students who conduct research involving human participants follow international standards protecting the safety and dignity of persons.

These include but are not limited to the core Principles of Respect for Persons, Beneficence, and Justice.


UWI Policy on Research Ethics
Click here to view »

Barbados Data Protection Act

Research in Barbados must comply with the provisions of the Barbados Data Protection Act, 2019. The legislation is in effect from March 2021: https://gisbarbados.gov.bb/download/data-protection-act-2019/


Who should submit proposals?
Most projects involving research on human beings should undergo IRB review. Most journals in the natural and social sciences now require formal ethics review for publication.

Please consult the UWI Policy on Research Ethics and contact the Office of Research for information regarding review requirements and criteria for exemption.


How can I apply?

We use an Online Research Ethics Application System.

All applications must be submitted via the online Research Ethics Module on the UWIScholar platform.

Applications must be submitted by the first Friday of the month for review by our regular meeting in the last week of each month. Please note that the Committee does not provide retroactive review.

Instructions for New Online Applications:

  1. Review Applicants Manual [PDF]
  2. Review Application Checklist
  3. Register for UWI Scholar Account
  4. Logon to UWI Scholar Account
  5. Select Research Ethics Module under the ‘Actions’ button
  6. Select and complete the type of form that is relevant to your research
    1. Application for Ethics Approval (used for Human Research) [PDF]
    2. Animal Research Application [PDF]
  7. Upload relevant supporting documents
  8. Submit Application

    • External researchers (persons who are not staff or students of The UWI) please send an email of introduction to researchethics@cavehill.uwi.edu for instructions on submission.

    Copies of proposal guidelines are available from the Office of Research or from this website. Click here for details »

    View Approval Process and meeting dates of the committee »