{"id":2,"date":"2025-05-01T11:48:56","date_gmt":"2025-05-01T11:48:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/binus.ac.id\/techtransfer\/?page_id=2"},"modified":"2026-05-16T09:44:56","modified_gmt":"2026-05-16T09:44:56","slug":"ethical-clearance","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/binus.ac.id\/techtransfer\/ethical-clearance\/","title":{"rendered":"Research Ethics and Clearance"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n
\n
Responsible Research<\/div>\n

Research Ethics and Clearance<\/h1>\n

Protect your research participants, your institution, and your career \u2014 before the first data point is collected.<\/p>\n

100+
\n<\/span><\/div>\n
countries require ethics clearance for international publication<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\n

What Is It?<\/p>\n

Think of it as a building permit \u2014 for your research.<\/h2>\n
\n

Research Ethics Clearance (Klirens Etik)<\/strong> is a formal review process conducted by the Research Ethics Committee (Komite Etik Penelitian \/ KEP)<\/strong> to ensure that any research involving human participants, personal data, or vulnerable groups is conducted safely, honestly, and with full respect for everyone involved. Just like a building permit: no one gets to start construction first and ask for permission later.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

At BINUS, what is required is prospective ethics clearance<\/strong> \u2014 meaning the application must be submitted before<\/em> the study begins, before a single respondent is interviewed or any data is collected. This differs from retrospective review, which examines completed studies and is used only in specific, exceptional circumstances.<\/p>\n

\n
\n

Expedited Review<\/p>\n

Medium to High Risk<\/p>\n

Involves human participants, sensitive personal data, vulnerable groups (children under 18, elderly, persons with disabilities), or hazardous materials. Reviewed by the full committee. Estimated timeline: ~12\u201315 working days.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Exempted Review<\/p>\n

Minimal Risk<\/p>\n

Anonymous surveys, passive observation in public spaces, analysis of already-published secondary data, or internal classroom programme evaluations. Estimated: ~7 working days. Still mandatory to submit.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

\n

Why It Matters<\/p>\n

This is not red tape, but real protection.<\/h2>\n
\n
\n

Career & Publication<\/p>\n

International journals require it<\/p>\n

Nearly every Scopus and Web of Science indexed journal requires an ethics clearance statement with submitted manuscripts. Without a Letter of Ethical Approval, your research \u2014 however rigorous \u2014 will be desk-rejected before it ever reaches peer review. This standard applies globally, including most international conferences.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Law & Sanctions<\/p>\n

Indonesia’s PDP Law is now fully enforced<\/p>\n

Since October 2024, Indonesia’s Personal Data Protection Law (UU PDP No. 27\/2022) has entered full enforcement. Research collecting personal data without legally valid consent can result in fines of up to IDR 6 billion<\/strong> and criminal penalties of up to 6 years imprisonment<\/strong>. Ethics clearance is the recognised mechanism to ensure your study is legally protected.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Scientific Credibility<\/p>\n

Without trust, findings don’t travel<\/p>\n

The Declaration of Helsinki (WMA, last updated 2024) and the Belmont Report establish that protecting research participants is the foundation of modern science. Research without transparent ethical grounding is not only legally risky \u2014 its findings will be challenged by the global academic community, no matter how strong the methodology.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Institutional Mandate<\/p>\n

Indonesian law is unambiguous<\/p>\n

Law No. 11\/2019 on the National Science and Technology System (Article 39) and BRIN Regulation No. 22\/2022 mandate ethics clearance for all research conducted in Indonesia. For foreign researchers wishing to work in Indonesia, BRIN ethics clearance is even a prerequisite for obtaining a Research Permit \u2014 with permit revocation and a 5-year blacklist for violations.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

\n

Step by Step<\/p>\n

How to Apply for Ethics Clearance at BINUS<\/h2>\n

Total estimated timeline: 2\u20133 working weeks<\/strong>. Never submit close to your data collection deadline.<\/p>\n

\n
1<\/div>\n
\n

Complete the Online Application Form<\/p>\n

Access the form at forms.office.com\/r\/CUN97r6tE1<\/a>. The form has four sections: Basic Research Information, Research Information & Methodology, Research Type, and Integrity Declaration. Write “N\/A” for any field that does not apply to your study.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
2<\/div>\n
\n

Prepare Your Supporting Documents<\/p>\n

All of the following must be ready before submitting:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
#<\/th>\nDocument<\/th>\nNotes<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
1<\/td>\nApplication Form<\/td>\nRequired for all review types<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2<\/td>\nResearch Proposal<\/td>\nRequired for all review types<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
3<\/td>\nResearch Instruments<\/td>\nQuestionnaire\/interview guide\/FGD script \u2014 must be in Bahasa Indonesia<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
4<\/td>\nConflict of Interest Statement<\/td>\nSelect: potential conflict present or absent<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
5<\/td>\nInformed Consent Form<\/td>\nMust contain all 8 mandatory elements (see below)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
6<\/td>\nParental\/Guardian Consent Letter<\/td>\nOnly if participants are under 18 years old<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
3<\/div>\n
\n

Submit to the Ethics Committee Secretariat<\/p>\n

Submit your documents to the Research & Technology Transfer (RTT) Office<\/strong>, Kampus Anggrek Room 700. The secretariat will check administrative completeness within 2 working days<\/strong>. If documents are incomplete, you will be notified to revise. If the researcher does not respond within 5 working days, the application is considered withdrawn.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
4<\/div>\n
\n

Review Type is Determined<\/p>\n

The secretariat classifies your submission as either Expedited<\/strong> or Exempted Review<\/strong> within 2 working days<\/strong>, based on the nature of the research and data being collected. If there is any document mismatch, you will be asked to correct before proceeding.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
5<\/div>\n
\n

Committee Review<\/p>\n

Expedited:<\/strong> The committee reviews within 5 working days<\/strong>. If revisions are required, the researcher has 2 working days<\/strong> to respond. Final approval by the Committee Chair within 5 working days after revisions are accepted. Exempted:<\/strong> Administrative confirmation within 2 working days, final approval within 5 working days. If the application does not meet requirements, a Rejection Letter is issued.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
6<\/div>\n
\n

Receive Your Letter of Ethical Approval & Begin Research<\/p>\n

The Letter of Ethical Approval is issued via official email from the BINUS Ethics Committee, within a maximum of 5 working days<\/strong> after the decision is approved. Keep a copy \u2014 it is mandatory to attach to every publication, final report, and grant submission. If your study changes significantly (title, methodology, instruments, sample), you must submit an amendment<\/strong> before continuing.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

\n

Key Component<\/p>\n

What Is Informed Consent?<\/h2>\n

An Informed Consent<\/strong> form ensures every research participant fully understands \u2014 and voluntarily agrees to \u2014 their involvement in the study. It is the ethical heart of participant protection: without valid informed consent, no research is ethically or legally defensible, regardless of how valuable the findings are.<\/p>\n

8 mandatory elements in a BINUS Informed Consent (per 21 CFR \u00a750.25 & GDPR Art. 7):<\/p>\n

\n
1.<\/strong> Research title & institution name<\/div>\n
2.<\/strong> Purpose of the study & data collection methods<\/div>\n
3.<\/strong> Estimated duration of participation<\/div>\n
4.<\/strong> Guarantee of confidentiality of identity<\/div>\n
5.<\/strong> Right to withdraw at any time without consequence<\/div>\n
6.<\/strong> Foreseeable risks and expected benefits<\/div>\n
7.<\/strong> Researcher’s contact for questions<\/div>\n
8.<\/strong> BINUS Ethics Committee contact for complaints<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

<\/p>\n

\n

Important Notes<\/p>\n

Key Rules & Common Mistakes<\/h2>\n
\n

\u26a0\ufe0f Avoid these common pitfalls:<\/p>\n