Instructions and guidelines for applying for an advisory opinion from the Research Ethics Council

Are you planning to submit an application to the Research Ethics Council for an ethical review of your proposed degree project? Below you will find guidelines and instructions on how to complete your application.

Submit your application digitally via our online form

The form provided on this website must be used when you submitt your application for an advisory opinion. Submit your application via the form.

Content of your application

You must provide a detailed account of the ethical considerations based on how your study is designed in the application. More information can be found in the form itself. In addition, the following documents must be attached:

  • An approved pm/project plan
  • An information letter and consent form for study participants
  • A form granting permission from the head of operations (completed but not yet submitted to the head of operations)

Since the application requires project details and supporting documents to be attached as files, it is advisable to gather all relevant materials for your project before you begin filling out the form.

Guidelines for documents to be attached to the application

Instructions and templates to help you prepare the documents required for your application can be found here.

Approved PM/project plan

The project memorandum or plan should include a detailed description of the methodology, such as the selection of the study group, their potential level of vulnerability, and how the collected data will be handled. Attach any relevant questionnaires or interview guides where applicable.

Information letter to study participants

Instructions for Information letters to study participants

The letter should provide all the essential information a person needs to make an informed decision about participating in the project, without unnecessary details.

It is important that the information is presented in clear and simple language. Avoid words that may be seen as coercive or as overstating the potential value of the study. Tailor the informa­tion to the participant's age and circumstances. Moreover, avoid using the term "anonymity," as it is rarely possible to guarantee. Instead, explain that no unauthorised individuals will have access to the collected data.

Templates

You may find it useful to use one of the following templates (these templates also include instructional text to assist completion):

Information letter for Questionnaire Study (In Swedish) Word, 41.5 kB.

Information letter for Interview Study (In Swedish) Word, 43.1 kB.

Information letter for Measurement Study (In Swedish Word, 41.5 kB.

Consent Form for Questionnaire Study (In Swedish) Word, 25.7 kB.

Consent Form for Interview Study (In Swedish) Word, 24.6 kB.

Consent Form for Measurement/Observation Study (In Swedish) Word, 25.5 kB.

For research involving children, information should be provided to both the child (if literate) and the guardian. Limit the information to one page.

Required Content in Letters to Study Participants

At a minimum, the letter should include:

  1. Request for Participation – The letter should begin with an invitation to participate, emphasising that participation is voluntary, as required for valid consent.
  2. Brief Description of the Study’s Purpose – Provide a simple and concise explanation of the study’s overall aim.
  3. Description of Study Procedures – Explain how the study will be conducted, how participants have been recruited, provide estimated time commitment, state that participation is voluntary, and make clear that they have the option to withdraw at any time without providing a reason.
  4. For Patients/Clients – If participants are patients or clients, state that their care will not be affected regardless of their decision to participate.
  5. Information on Data Processing – Include details about how personal data will be handled.
  6. Contact Details – Provide the name and contact details of the student(s) conducting the study, along with the name, title, and contact details of the supervisor.

Approval Form from the Responsible Authority

In most cases, approval from the head of operations is required to conduct studies. If you are approaching individuals in public spaces, no formal approval is needed (as there is no authority to grant permission). However, if participants are recruited via an organisation (e.g. a sports club, company, school, social services office, or healthcare facility), permission must be obtained from the responsible authority (e.g. a board, a manager, or a head of operations).

The form Application to the head of operations for permission to conduct a study (in Swedish) Word, 31.6 kB. includes instructions on how to draft the application and a pre-prepared form.

Please note that this form to the head of operations should be submitted after you have received feedback from the Research Ethics Council.

Submitting Documents Digitally

Once you have gathered all the relevant documents for your project, you can begin filling out the application form.

Applications must be submitted to the council at least one week before the meeting at which the case is to be reviewed. The council’s meeting dates can be found on the Research Council’s webpage.

To the form


This page was last updated 2025-03-14