FAQ
Is it mandatory to obtain an ethics vote before conducting an empirical study?
No, obtaining an ethics vote from the Local Ethics Committee is not mandatory. Whether or not you choose to submit a proposal is up to you. However, please note that many external funding bodies—such as the German Research Foundation (DFG)—require a positive ethics vote before approving funding.
I would like to submit a proposal to obtain an ethics vote. What should I do?
First, determine whether your study requires a full proposal or a short proposal (see the next question). Please refer to our guidelines and templates for detailed instructions.
Your proposal must:
- Include signatures from all listed (co-)applicants
- Include the participant information sheet and consent form as an appendix
- Be submitted as a single PDF via email to ethikkommission.pb"AT"uni-hamburg.de
Please also note that you and/or one of your co-applicants need to be a member of the Faculty of Psychology and Human Movement Science. If you are a Bachelor/Master student, your supervisor needs to be a co-applicant on your proposal.
What is the difference between a full and a short proposal?
The main difference lies in the level of detail. You may submit a short proposal only if you have already received a positive ethics vote on a full proposal using a very similar methodology (e.g., design, procedure, methods, and participant demands). In your short proposal, please indicate which approved full proposal it refers to.
I already received a positive ethics vote on a full proposal. I want to make minor changes. Do I need to submit a new proposal?
For minor adjustments—such as adding researchers, slightly increasing sample size, or adding an additional survey item—you may submit an amendment instead of a new proposal. Please provide:
- A brief letter explaining the changes
- The original approved proposal, with all changes clearly marked or highlighted
Submit these materials via email as a single PDF to ethikkommission.pb@uni-hamburg.de.
I have submitted my proposal. When can I expect a decision?
The timeline depends on the type of proposal and whether revisions are requested. On average:
- Short proposals: 3–4 weeks
- Full proposals: 4–6 weeks
Please keep in mind that LEC members volunteer their time in addition to their regular duties. Processing times may be longer during lecture-free periods or peak academic times.
I am a Bachelor/ Master student and need an ethics proposal for my thesis project. What should I do?
Please make sure that your thesis supervisor is listed as a co-applicant. Please also discuss in detail with your supervisor whether and what type of proposal you may submit.