Quest is the comprehensive research management system used to administer and support research activity at Victoria University.
The Quest system provides a number of services to researchers, including Human Research Ethics Application forms, Measure of Research Activity scores, and online Progress Reports for Graduate Researchers.
We strongly recommend that you download and read the full Quest Online Human Ethics Guide prior to creating an application.
We have also developed a quick guide here to outline the basic steps involved in creating an application.
Go to http://quest.vu.edu.au and log in using your VU Staff or Student ID (eg. "e5123456") and password.
Hover over the Ethics menu and select Applications.
Click on Create Application.
Use the Expand/Collapse links to view or hide the entire form menu.
Save regularly using the floppy disk /save icon (and the green tick in some sections) to avoid losing any answers.
Each page will save automatically when you navigate using the green arrows (Next or Back).
Some questions require the use of codes or records already in the VU database. Search through and select these records by clicking the magnifying glass.
Enter a search term to bring up a list. Select the correct option by clicking the title in the pop-up list.
Attach all supporting documentation in Section 11.
To attach a document, click on the upload icon in the Soft Copy column.
In the pop-up box, click on Choose File and browse your computer for the correct document.
Click OK to save or Cancel to return to the form.
You can use the report icon at any stage to generate a printer friendly version of the form.
Select HTML to print to screen.
To save as a .pdf file to your computer select PDF then save a copy from the pop up screen.
When you have completed your application, click on the Action tab in the left-hand column and click Submit Application.
The system will then convert the form to read-only and send it to the Ethics Secretary for review.
Double check that your application has been submitted.
You can view application status by selecting Applications under the Ethics menu.
There may be stages throughout the application process in which the Ethics Secretary will instruct you to amend your application form. These amendments will be communicated to you via 'Comments' within the eForm.
We strongly recommend that you read the Quest Online Ethics Guide prior to creating or amending an application form. We have also developed the quick guide below to outline the basic steps involved in responding to comments.
Go to http://quest.vu.edu.au/ and log in using your VU Staff or Student ID (eg. "e5123456") and password.
Open your ethics application form.
Generate a list of all the comments in your application by clicking the report icon.
Select Comments Report from the Document drop-down field and click OK.
This list is useful in forming an overall picture of the changes you are required to make.
Click Cancel to return to the application form.
You will see coloured flags next to some of the page titles in the form.
These indicate that a comment is marked against that page.
Red flags indicate that you are required to respond to a comment ('Action Comments') by revising an answer/s in that page.
Revise the relevant questions in the application form as per the required changes.
Remember to save your answers!
Once you have revised your answers, you must provide a response to each comment outlining how you have revised your answer.
Open the Page Comments window by click the clicking the page comments icon.
Click New Comment to enter your response.
Click the green tick to save your response.
When you have revised your answers and finished responding to all the comments on a page:
The colour of the flag will change to yellow and the page will become Read Only.
Important: Do not mark the comments as 'Responded' until you are completely satisfied with your revised answers. You will lose access to edit the page and the comments.
You can use the report icon at any stage to generate a printer friendly version of the form.
Select HTML to print to screen.
To save as a .pdf file to your computer select PDF then save a copy from the pop up screen.
When you have made all of the required changes and responded to all of the comments, click on the Action tab in the left-hand column and click Submit Revised Application.
The system will then send the form to the Ethics Secretary for review.
For assistance, please read the Quest help and frequently asked questions or submit a ticket:
