Submissions

Submission Preparation Checklist

As part of the submission process, authors are required to check off their submission's compliance with all of the following items, and submissions may be returned to authors that do not adhere to these guidelines.

1. Originality & Exclusivity:

The submission has not been previously published and is not under review by another Ethics Review Committee.

If the submission is under consideration elsewhere, an explanation has been provided in the Comments to the Committee section.
2. File Format:

The submission file is in Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx) format.
3. References & Citations:

Where available, URLs for all cited references have been provided.
4. Formatting & Style:

The submission follows the MUST Proposal Format as required.
The text adheres to the stylistic and bibliographic guidelines (APA 7th Edition).
5. Vulnerable Participants:

The study does not involve vulnerable groups (e.g., children under 18, individuals with learning disabilities, or individuals with cognitive impairments).
If the study involves vulnerable groups, appropriate ethical safeguards have been implemented.
6. Risk to Participants:

The study does not cause anxiety, stress, pain, or physical discomfort beyond everyday life experiences.
If any risks exist, appropriate mitigation measures are included in the submission.
7. Researcher Safety & Consent:

The study does not pose any risk to the personal safety of the researcher.
The study does not involve deception or lack of full informed consent.
If deception is used, a justification and debriefing process are included.
8. Substances, Genetic Modification & Environmental Impact:

The study does not involve the administration of chemical agents, vaccines, vitamins, or food substances to human participants.
The study does not involve the production or use of genetically modified plants or microbes.
The study does not result in adverse environmental or food safety impacts.
The study does not involve research that could be misused to develop chemical or biological weapons.
9. Required Supporting Documents.
Confirm that the following documents are attached to your application:

Mandatory Documents
Recruitment Advertisement (if applicable).
Participant Information Sheet.
Consent Form.
Questionnaire (if applicable).
Interview Schedule (if applicable).

Author Guidelines

Guidelines for Submitting Your Proposal for Ethical Review

1. Welcome to MIRERC

The MUST Institutional Research Ethics Review Committee (MIRERC) is here to ensure that all research conducted under Meru University of Science and Technology meets ethical standards. If you're a researcher planning to work with human participants, animals, or sensitive data, you need to get ethical clearance before starting your study.

2. Who Should Submit?

If you’re a faculty member, postgraduate, or undergraduate student at Meru University, or a researcher collaborating with the university, this process applies to you. For Meru University students, your proposal should follow the BPS (Board of Postgraduate Studies) proposal format/guidelines before submission for ethical review.

3. What You Need Before Submitting

Before you start the submission process, make sure you have these documents ready:

Cover Letter – A brief letter addressed to the Chairperson, MIRERC, introducing your study and why ethical review is needed.
Research Proposal – Includes your study title, background, objectives, methodology, ethical considerations, and expected outcomes.
Informed Consent Forms – Required for studies involving human participants (in English and Kiswahili or the appropriate local language).
Data Collection Tools – Attach any questionnaires, interview guides, or other instruments you’ll use.
Institutional Approval Letter – If needed, get approval from your department or faculty.
Researcher’s CV – A brief resume for the principal investigator and co-investigators.
Ethical Clearance Fee – Payment details will be provided when you submit.

4. Step-by-Step Submission Process

Submitting your proposal to MIRERC is simple. Just follow these steps:

Step 1: Register & Log In

Go to the MIRERC submission system - mirerc.must.ac.ke
If you’re a first-time user, click Register and fill in your details.
After registering, check your email for a confirmation link and activate your account.
Log in using your registered credentials.

Step 2: Start a New Submission

Click on “New Submission” in your dashboard.

Step 3: Upload Your Documents

Click “Upload Files” and attach all the required documents.
Make sure each file is properly labeled (e.g., “Consent Form.pdf” or “Proposal.docx”).

Step 4: Fill in Metadata

Enter your research title, abstract, and keywords.
Provide details about the principal investigator and co-researchers.
Specify the study population, location, and duration.

Step 5: Review & Confirm Submission

Double-check that you have uploaded all the necessary documents.
Ensure the metadata is correct and matches your proposal.
Click “Submit” to finalize your application.
You’ll receive an email confirming your submission.

5. What Happens Next?

Initial Screening – The MIRERC secretariat checks that all documents are complete.
Ethical Review – The committee reviews your proposal to ensure ethical compliance.
Decision Notification – You’ll receive an email with either approval, a request for revisions, or rejection.
Compliance Monitoring – If your study is approved, you may be required to submit progress reports.

6. Important Ethical Considerations

Your research must follow both national and international ethical standards.
Participants’ privacy and rights must be respected.
Vulnerable groups require special ethical considerations.
Any modifications to the approved study must be re-submitted for review.

7. Need Help?

If you have any questions or issues during submission, reach out to us:

MUST Institutional Research Ethics Review Committee (MIRERC)
Meru University of Science and Technology
Email: mirerc@must.ac.ke
Website: mirerc.must.ac.ke