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Research

Research Ethics & Permits

What researchers need before collecting data: ethical approval, a research licence and responsible handling of data.

Research Integrity

Ethics Review at KVUC

Research involving human participants, animals or personal data must be approved by an accredited ethics review committee before any data is collected, and researchers must hold a research licence from the National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation (NACOSTI).

Staff and postgraduate students should contact the Office of the Deputy Principal (Academics) for guidance on ethical review and on research permits.

Steps before you start

  1. 1
    Prepare your proposalAgree the proposal with your supervisor or head of department, including how you will protect participants and their data.
  2. 2
    Get ethical approvalSubmit the proposal to an accredited ethics review committee. Research with human participants needs informed consent forms in a language participants understand.
  3. 3
    Apply for a NACOSTI licenceApply online to the National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation with your ethical approval.
  4. 4
    Get county and other approvalsSome studies also need authority from the county government, the Ministry of Health or the institutions where you will collect data.
  5. 5
    Collect, store and share data responsiblyKeep personal data secure and use it only as approved, in line with the Data Protection Act, 2019.