APSIRI RESEARCH ETHICS COMMITTEE · HONG KONG / ASIA-PACIFIC
Clear review.
Responsible research.
A structured ethics review service for social-science and related non-clinical research involving people, communities, or identifiable information.
New applications are not being accepted at this time.
HOW A DECISION IS REACHED
- 01Secretariat scope & completeness check
- 02Two independent reviewer assessments
- 03Chair decision and report
APSIRI REC · Hong Kong · Asia-Pacific
Review remit
Social sciences and related non-clinical research.
Review model
Secretariat screening, two reviewer opinions, and a recorded Chair decision.
Case record
Versioned materials and review history kept with the application.
WHAT THE REVIEW EXAMINES
A careful assessment of the study and its impact on participants.
Reviewers consider the protocol as a whole, including whether the methods, participant protections, and data practices are clear and proportionate to the research.
Research design
Research purpose, methods, setting, recruitment, and the practical burden placed on participants.
Consent & choice
Participant information, voluntary consent, withdrawal, incentives, and any power relationships.
Risk & safeguards
Foreseeable physical, psychological, social, privacy, or reputational risks and steps to reduce them.
Data stewardship
Identifiability, access, storage, retention, sharing, cross-border transfers, and AI-enabled processing.
SCOPE OF SERVICE
For social research involving people and personal information.
- Surveys
- Interviews
- Focus groups
- Observation
- Non-clinical experiments
- Online research
- Secondary data
The service does not cover clinical trials, treatment studies, invasive biomedical procedures, medical-device trials, or research involving human biological samples. If the project is outside scope, seek review from the institution or authority responsible for the study.
FEES & ESTIMATED TIMING
Choose the review service that fits your timeline.
The review period starts after the Secretariat confirms that the application is complete and within scope.
Standard review
RMB 600
Normally 2–4 weeks
For complete, in-scope applications submitted through the standard pathway.
Expedited review
RMB 900
Target: 1 week
Request availability before applying. Expedited handling is subject to scope confirmation and reviewer capacity.
Ask about expedited reviewTimelines are estimates, not guaranteed completion dates. Requests for clarification, revisions, complex risk issues, or additional permissions may extend the review. Expedited handling follows the same substantive review and does not guarantee approval.
REVIEW PROCESS
A defined sequence, with a clear next step.
- 01
Check scope
Confirm that the study is social-science or related non-clinical research and prepare the current protocol and participant-facing materials.
- 02
Submit online
Sign in, complete the declaration and application, and upload dated, versioned documents. You can save a draft and return to it from your account.
- 03
Secretariat screening
The Secretariat checks scope and completeness. If further information is needed, the request and next step are recorded in the case.
- 04
Independent review
Two assigned reviewers assess the submitted version. Any requested changes are returned through the same case so the review history remains connected.
- 05
Chair decision
The Chair records the final decision. Following approval, the Chair can issue the bilingual ethics review report linked to the reviewed materials.
BEFORE YOU SUBMIT
A complete file helps avoid preventable delays.
Prepare the materials that apply to your study. Give every file a version number and date, and keep participant-facing documents consistent with the protocol.
- 01
Research protocol
Purpose, methods, study setting, timeline, and research team.
- 02
Participant materials
Recruitment copy, information sheet, consent form, questionnaire, or interview guide.
- 03
Risk and safeguards
Foreseeable risks, mitigation, withdrawal arrangements, and support or referral details where relevant.
- 04
Data plan
Data types, identifiability, access, storage location, retention, disposal, and cross-border or AI use.
ACCOUNTABLE BY DESIGN
Every review is tied to a specific submission.
The application, supporting documents, reviewer assessments, revisions, and decision are maintained in a role-based case record. Updated materials are added as new versions rather than silently replacing the version already reviewed.
- 01Dated and versioned submission materials
- 02Role-based access to case information
- 03Recorded review rounds and final decision
ABOUT APSIRI
A regional research and policy platform.
The Asia-Pacific Social Innovation Research Institute (APSIRI) is based in Hong Kong and works across research, policy exchange, and social innovation in the Asia-Pacific. The REC service is limited to its stated review remit and is not a substitute for an institution’s or regulator’s own approval.
About the InstitutePRACTICAL INFORMATION
Before you begin.
When does the review clock start?
The estimate starts after the Secretariat confirms that your application is complete and within scope. Time needed for clarifications, revisions, or external permissions may add to the overall period.
How do I request expedited review?
Contact the Secretariat before submitting so scope and reviewer availability can be checked. Expedited review is not a guaranteed outcome or approval.
Does APSIRI replace my institution’s approval?
No. APSIRI REC review does not replace approval or permission required by your institution, research site, funder, regulator, or another competent authority.
What happens if revisions are requested?
Submit the revised form and documents through the same case. The updated version and the subsequent review decision remain part of its record.
Scope and approval boundaries
APSIRI REC accepts social-science and related non-clinical studies only. It is not a clinical or medical ethics committee. Applicants remain responsible for obtaining any additional institutional, site, funder, or regulatory approvals required for their research.
BEGIN YOUR APPLICATION
Start with a complete, well-versioned protocol.
Review the scope, prepare the protocol and relevant participant materials, then submit online. You can save a draft and follow the case through your APSIRI account.
The stated review periods are estimates beginning after completeness and scope checks.