Scientific committees are panels of discipline experts responsible for conducting an in-depth scientific review of proposed studies before they undergo ethical evaluation. Their primary role is to assess the scientific validity and associated risk factors of the research and provide recommendations to the Ethics Committee. Scientific Committees are responsible for advising applicants on the appropriate REC to approach. Below are some of the essential elements of a scientific review:
- Importance and novelty of the scientific question.
- Thoroughness of the evaluation of relevant literature and previous studies.
- Strength of the scientific design and methodology.
- Feasibility of the research as designed.
- Appropriateness of the inclusion/exclusion criteria.
- Appropriateness of the analysis (statistical /qualitative/text).
- Estimate of the probability of meeting the enrollment goals/sample size (if participants).
- Strength of the qualifications of the researchers to carry out the study and facilities available for the study.
- Monitoring plan.
- Data management plan.
- Dissemination plan.
You may consult this document for a comprehensive description of the roles and responsibilities of scientific and ethics committees.
List of Scientific Committees
MC-BC 3IMP (Biochemistry, CARST, Chemistry, Computer Science, IKS, Mathematics, Physics)
Chairperson:
Prof Michael Esiefarienrhe
PC Spatial planning, development and implementation
Chairperson:
Prof Ernst Drewes
PC African Centre for Disaster Studies
Chairperson:
Prof Leandri Kruger
Focus Area for Human Metabolomics
Chairperson:
Dr. Stiaan Labuschangne
PC Physics
Chairperson:
Prof Ilani Loubser
PC Earth System Sciences, Soils and Resources
Chairperson:
Ms. Thendo Netshidzivhe
PC Crop Production and Soil Management
Chairperson:
Dr. Dimakatso Ramphisa-Nghondzweni
PC Spatial planning, development and implementation
Chairperson:
Prof Ernst Drewes
PC Chemical Resource Beneficiation
Chairperson:
Dr Jean Du Toit
PC Botany
Chairperson:
Prof Sarel Cilliers
PC Computer Science and Information Systems
Chairperson:
Prof Marijke Coetzee
Focus Area for Pure and Applied Analytics Chairperson
Chairperson:
Prof Louis Labuschagne
PC Bussiness Mathematics and Informatics
Chairperson:
Prof Helgard Rubenheimer
PC Unit for Data Science and Computing
Chairperson:
Prof Roelien Goede
PC Centre of Space Science
Chairperson:
Prof Ilani Loubser
PC Biochemistry
Chairperson:
Dr Stiaan Labuschagne
PC Mathematics and Applied Mathematics
Chairperson:
Prof Louis Labuschagne
PC - UDSC Risk Analytics
Chairperson:
Prof Charl Pretorius