HREC Reporting

Final reports

At the end of a research project which has been reviewed by the Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC), it is important to submit a final report, which will then be made available to the Scholarship Exchange (for internal projects funded by Scholarship and Innovation Centres) or on Open Research Data Online (ORDO) (for other projects, including externally funded projects). . 

The final report is used to:

• Assess how ethics-related issues have been dealt with if they have arisen
• Monitor that OU research is being carried out ethically, as agreed
• Inform the development of the HREC ethics review process to ensure a continued high level of review

Please make clear on your submission when your project is intended to finish to help us agree a reporting date with you.

Process for submitting a Final Report

• Use the Research Ethics Application System to create a Final Report sub-form (see Research Ethics Application System Guide for Applicants).
• If you submitted your original application using the paper form, you will be unable to create a Final Report sub-form in the Research Ethics Application System. Please contact the Human Research Ethics team for guidance. Please include your HREC reference number.

Annual progress reports for higher risk projects

If you are conducting a project which has been assessed by HREC as being higher risk, you may be required to submit an annual progress report. You will be informed of this in your favourable opinion letter and your Associate Dean for Research will be alerted. You should return a completed copy of the HREC Annual Progress Report form (Word, 136 KB) to the Human Research Ethics team by email.

The annual progress report is used to:

• Offer ongoing HREC support for applicants during projects
• Assess how ethics-related issues or unanticipated adverse events have been dealt with if they have arisen
• Monitor that OU research is being carried out ethically