Faculty Research Ethics Committee (DCUBS F-REC)

The DCU Business School Faculty Research Ethics Committee (F-REC) is a faculty-level body responsible for reviewing and approving low-risk research projects conducted by DCU Business School staff and Postgraduate Research (PGR) students.

F-REC follows similar principles to the University Research Ethics Committee (REC), but its remit is strictly limited to research classified as low risk.

F-REC is only for:

• DCU Business School staff research
• DCU Business School doctoral projects
• DCU Business School masters-by-research projects

Who Can Apply to F-REC for Ethics Approval?

Research ethics requirements at DCU depend on your study level, research type, and risk level.
The guidance below will help identify whether your project should go to the DCU Business School F-REC or another ethics review route.

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Assessing Risk

Applications may only be submitted to F-REC if the project is classified as low risk.

Low-risk research means:

• No more risk than ordinary daily life
• No vulnerable participants (e.g., minors, persons lacking capacity, etc.)
• No collection of special-category personal data under GDPR (Art. 9.1)
• No highly sensitive personal data
• Minimal risk of psychological, social, economic, or physical harm
• No deception or ethically sensitive procedures

Researchers unsure about risk classification should consult:

• University REC page for guidance
• Data Protection Unit for questions relating to data security or GDPR

Working with Personal Data

Alongside following good practices for collecting, storing, and securing research data in research design, researchers must ensure full compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) when handling personal data.

Personal Data means any information that can identify a living person, directly or indirectly.

DCU provides support to help researchers understand data protection obligations.
Before submitting an F-REC application, researchers should:

• Review the University REC guidance available under “Personal Data and the Research Ethics Process”, and
• Contact the DCU Data Protection Unit for advice if needed.

Application Process & Resources

All templates, submission steps, and the application portal are available on the:

DCUBS F-REC Loop Page
DCUBS Faculty Research Ethics Committee page

This page includes:

• Application form (similar to the form used by REC)
• Templates
• Meeting calendar
• Current F-REC membership and terms of reference
• Submission link (Google Form)

Application Deadlines and Meeting Dates

The F-REC meets multiple times throughout the academic year. Decisions are normally issued within 5 working days of the meeting.

Note: F-REC does not meet in July or August.

The June deadline is the final review opportunity for the academic year.