The Research Ethics Committee in Human and Social Sciences (CER-SHS) of the University of La Manouba has the mission of promoting best ethical practices in all research projects involving human participants or personal or sensitive data.
It ensures that projects carried out by teaching staff, doctoral students and students respect the principles of dignity, confidentiality, free and informed consent, as well as the regulations in force regarding data protection and research involving human beings.
Le CER‑SHS :
implements and updates the Research Ethics Code and the University's internal procedures in the humanities and social sciences;
assesses, using a standardized grid and tools, the ethical risks associated with projects (physical, psychological, social, confidentiality risks, for researchers and the institution);
issues an ethical opinion (favorable, favorable with conditions, or request for review) before any data collection begins from individuals;
advises researchers and supervisors on best practices regarding informing participants, obtaining consent, storing data and anonymizing;
contributes to the training of researchers, doctoral students and students in research ethics in the humanities and social sciences.
An ethical assessment is mandatory before any data collection involving:
human participants (interviews, surveys, observations, experiments, focus groups, etc.);
personal or sensitive data (health, opinions, beliefs, political affiliation, etc.);
vulnerable populations (minors, dependent elderly people, people with disabilities, people in distress, students under the direct responsibility of the researcher, etc.);
contexts that may present a risk to participants, researchers or the image of the University (research abroad, sensitive topics, fragile political or social context, etc.).
Research based solely on secondary sources (literature, anonymized public data) may fall under a simplified regime, but must nevertheless be checked via the ethics checklist to document the absence of risks to identifiable persons.
The CER-SHS is based on principles widely recognized in international best practices regarding scientific integrity and research governance:
respect for the dignity and fundamental rights of the participants;
free, informed, explicit and revocable consent;
minimization of risks and proportionality between residual risks and expected benefits (scientific, social, educational);
confidentiality, anonymization or pseudonymization of data where possible;
compliance with laws on the protection of personal data and the internal policies of the University of Manouba;
transparency, traceability and archiving of ethical decisions.
Before submitting your project, prepare:
a summary of the project (objectives, methodology, target population, schedule);
the completed Ethics Assessment Checklist ;
the Risk Assessment Form , detailing data collection activities, potential risks and minimization measures;
an information sheet for participants , adapted to the type of participants (adults, students, staff, anonymous questionnaires, parents/guardians, etc.);
a consent/agreement form from the participant (or parent/guardian);
the data collection tools in provisional version (interview guide, online or paper questionnaire, observation grid, etc.).
The procedure begins with an online ethical checklist : the researcher or student logs in, creates a new request and answers a series of screening questions to identify the level of risk of the research.
Typical sections of the checklist include: information about the researcher and the project, filter questions (types of participants, methods, locations), questions about specific risks and regulatory compliance.
For undergraduate and graduate students , projects deemed low risk may be reviewed and validated by the supervisor (or the institution's ethics officer), after verification of the checklist, risk form and information/consent documents.
For doctoral students and staff members , or for any project with medium or high risk, the application is forwarded to a designated evaluator or to the Committee, depending on the field and nature of the project.
The CER-SHS (or the panels/evaluators that depend on it):
examines the ethics checklist, the risk form and the supporting documents;
may seek the opinion of an external member or a "lay" (non-specialist) member trained in ethics, in order to guarantee the viewpoint of the public and non-experts;
may request clarifications or modifications (addition of protective measures, reformulation of certain questions, adaptation of consent, etc.).
Following the examination, several decisions are possible:
Favorable opinion : the project can start, in compliance with the measures described.
Favorable opinion subject to conditions : start possible after integration of specific corrections (e.g. specify confidentiality, modify the consent procedure).
Request for revision/postponement : the project must be reviewed more substantially before further consideration.
The ethical opinion, the authorized checklist and the signed forms must be archived in accordance with the Personal Data Protection Policy of the University of Manouba, and kept for audit and traceability purposes.
The CER-SHS relies on a balanced and multidisciplinary composition, in accordance with the best practices of university ethics committees:
teacher-researchers in the humanities and social sciences from different disciplines;
at least one member from another disciplinary field or another institution, to guarantee a cross-disciplinary perspective;
"Lay" members (non-specialists), trained in ethics, enabling them to represent civil society and provide an external perspective;
If necessary, invited experts (legal experts, data protection specialists, etc.) depending on the nature of the projects examined.
Members of the CER-SHS benefit from specific training via online modules and quizzes on research ethics and data protection.
Toolkit for the ethical conduct of research involving humans – UMA
General presentation of the architecture of the system: available forms, validation process, role of the supervisor, procedures for student, doctoral and teacher-researcher projects.
Ethics Assessment Checklist:
A central form that all researchers must complete to identify the ethical issues of their project. Sections cover the researcher's identity, project details, screening questions (type of research, types of participants, specific risks), and a declaration from the researcher and project director.
Risk Assessment Checklist/Form:
A detailed tool for analyzing risks.
physical/physiological risks (fatigue, discomfort, invasive procedures);
psychological/emotional risks (stress, anxiety, sensitive topics);
social and confidentiality risks (identifiability of participants, stigma, reputation);
risks related to data (security, unauthorized access);
risks for the researchers themselves (sensitive field, potentially traumatic situations).
Participant Information Sheet – Students (template)
Template information sheet detailing the project objective, duration, participant role, potential risks and benefits, personal data management, withdrawal procedures and contacts in case of questions or complaints.
Participant Information Sheet – Staff/PhD Students (template)
Version adapted for participants who are staff members or PhD students, with details on the non-impact of participation (or non-participation) on the work or study relationship.
Information sheet for anonymous online/paper questionnaires (template)
Specific template for questionnaires not collecting identifying information, including details on anonymity, the impossibility of withdrawing responses once the questionnaire has been submitted, and the possible reuse of anonymous data in other research.
Parent/Guardian Information Sheet – Participation of Minors
Template for parents or legal guardians, explaining the project, children's rights, potential risks and how data will be used and protected.
Information sheet – Online or paper questionnaires (with personal data)
Template for surveys that collect identifying or potentially sensitive data via questionnaires.
Informed Consent Sheet
Standard form allowing the adult participant to confirm that they have read and understood the information sheet, that they ask questions if necessary, and that they freely agree to participate, with mention of the possibility of withdrawing without prejudice.
Participant agreement form – general use.
Model agreement to be signed by adult participants, adapted for student projects or staff projects, depending on the version used.
Parent/Guardian Agreement Form
: Form to be signed by parents/guardians for the involvement of minors, with the possibility of providing a separate consent form adapted to the language of children/young people.
Structure and mandate of the Committee (document in Arabic – “تركيبة اللجان”)
Document describing the structure and operation of the committee (composition, duration of mandates, appointment procedures), which can be offered for download or summarized in French on the page.
Framework document on ethical principles and consent (in Arabic – “ميثاق المبادئ الاخلاقية”)
Contextual reference on ethical foundations, including the notion of clear consent, which can be used for internal communication or the local context.
The University of La Manouba is planning research ethics training modules for:
doctoral students (integrated into research methodology seminars);
student supervisors (Bachelor's, Master's);
members of CER-SHS and external/“lay” members.
These training courses cover the preparation of forms (checklist, risk assessment, information sheets, consent), data management and responsible conduct of research.
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For any questions relating to research ethics in the humanities and social sciences, the submission procedure, or the choice of forms:
Head of Research Ethics – University of La Manouba
(Hamida SKANDRANI, ethique.recherche@uma.tn )
Secretariat of the CER-SHS (secretariat.ethique.recherche@uma.tn , +216 716020996).
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