Ethics & approvals

Ethical practice protects participants, the environment, and the integrity of research. Some projects require ethics approval or parental consent — check with your teacher early.

When you need approval

• Human participants (surveys, testing, interviews) — require informed consent and anonymisation of data.
• Animal work — usually restricted; consult organisers and relevant institutional guidelines.
• Fieldwork in protected sites or involving indigenous knowledge — obtain permits and respect local tikanga (customs).

Consent & privacy

Keep personal data minimal and secure. Use consent forms for participants and remove identifying details when presenting results publicly.

Need help?

Your teacher is the primary contact for approvals. Contact the organising committee if you are unsure: info@canterburysciencefair.co.nz.