Submissions

Author Guidelines

MIRERC Submission Guidelines for Ethical Review

1. About MIRERC & NACOSTI Accreditation

The MUST Institutional Research Ethics Review Committee (MIRERC) is a fully accredited Institutional Scientific and Ethics Review Committee (ISERC) recognized by the National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation (NACOSTI) under accreditation number NACOSTI/NSEC/AC/03923.

As an accredited body, MIRERC is mandated by NACOSTI to review research proposals for ethical clearance before they are submitted to NACOSTI for issuance of a research license. All research involving human participants, animals, or sensitive data must undergo ethical review and approval before commencement.

2. Who Should Submit

The following researchers are required to submit proposals to MIRERC:

• Faculty members, postgraduate students, and undergraduate students at Meru University of Science and Technology

• Researchers collaborating with MUST or conducting research under MUST affiliation

• Any researcher whose study involves human participants, social science research, biomedical research, behavioural studies, or epidemiological activities

3. Required Documents for Submission

Before initiating the submission process, ensure the following documents are prepared:

Mandatory Documents

Additional Requirements for Specific Studies

4. Research Proposal Format and Structure

Your research proposal must include the following sections in PDF format:

1. Title – Concise and descriptive

2. Abstract – Self-contained summary of the study

3. Introduction & Background – Context and rationale for the research

4. Problem Statement – Clear articulation of the research problem

5. Study Objectives – Main and specific objectives

6. Literature Review – Review of relevant scholarly work

7. Justification – Significance and contribution of the study

8. Methodology – Research design, study population, sampling, data collection, and analysis

9. Ethical Considerations – Detailed ethical safeguards (see Section 5 below)

10. Work Plan – Timeline for research activities

11. Budget – Itemized budget for the study

12. Expected Outputs – Anticipated outcomes and dissemination plan

13. References/Bibliography – Properly cited sources (APA 7th Edition)

5. Ethical Review Principles

MIRERC evaluates proposals based on the following core ethical principles, as guided by NACOSTI standards and the Belmont Report:

a) Maximizing Benefits

• Demonstrate that research benefits outweigh risks to participants

• Ensure study design guarantees quality and integrity for credible results

• Include a dissemination plan for study findings

• Ensure clear aims and appropriate methodology

b) Respect for Autonomy

• Outline how participants will not be coerced

• Confirm no penalties for refusing to participate

• Ensure participants understand the study and may withdraw at any time

• Enumerate how personal data will be protected through confidentiality and anonymization

• Include comprehensive consenting procedures

c) Minimizing Harm

• Outline expected potential risks/harm to participants

• Describe mitigation measures for any identified risks

• Address whether research involves vulnerable groups (e.g., children under 18, individuals with cognitive impairments)

d) Research Integrity

• Confirm research does not involve deception or lack of full informed consent

• If deception is used, provide justification and debriefing process

• Ensure research does not:

  • Endanger national security

  • Adversely affect lives of Kenyans

  • Exploit intellectual property rights of communities in Kenya

  • Adversely affect the environment

  • Plagiarize someone else's work

6. Submission Checklist

Before submitting, verify compliance with the following:

• □ 

  Submission is original and not under review by another Ethics Review Committee

• □ 

  File format is Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx)

• □ 

  References follow APA 7th Edition style

• □ 

  URLs provided for all cited references where available

• □ 

  Proposal follows the MUST Proposal Format

• □ 

  All required documents are attached (cover letter, proposal, consent forms, instruments, approval letters)

• □ 

  Informed consent forms are in English and local languages

• □ 

  Research instruments are included (questionnaires, interview guides, FGD guides)

• □ 

  For studies involving vulnerable groups, appropriate ethical safeguards are in place

7. Submission Process

1. Register & Log In at https://mirerc.must.ac.ke

2. Click "New Submission" in your dashboard

3. Upload Documents – Label files clearly (e.g., "Consent_Form.pdf", "Proposal.docx")

4. Fill in Metadata – Enter research title, abstract, keywords, investigator details, study population, location, and duration

5. Submit for review

8. Approval & Post-Approval Requirements

Upon approval, you will receive an approval number (e.g., MIRERC 094/2025) with a specified approval period.

Post-approval compliance requirements:

9. Next Steps After MIRERC Approval

MIRERC ethical approval is a prerequisite for obtaining a NACOSTI research license. After receiving MIRERC approval, you must:

1. Apply for a research license through the NACOSTI research portal: https://research-portal.nacosti.go.ke

2. Submit your MIRERC approval letter as part of the NACOSTI application

3. Obtain any additional clearances your study may require

10. Important Deadlines and Fees

For enquiries, contact MIRERC at: mirerc@must.ac.ke