Research committee

The TropNet Research Committee supervises and organizes all aspects of research within the network. In particular, it

• Reviews and approves proposed research projects
• Acts as contact for the different working groups on research related issues and questions (incl. authorship-rights regarding joint publications within the network)

Members of TropNet Research Committee

Rules of procedure of TropNet research comittee

1. The research committee oversees, coordinates and guides all research activities in TropNet.
2. The research committee creates and maintains a register of ongoing and future research projects and studies in the network.
3. The research committee reviews new study protocols and gives a recommendation to the network coordinator.
4. A TropNet network study is a study in which at least two or more TropNet member sites are actively involved.
5. All new study protocols for network studies in TropNet have to be submitted to the research committee for review. The research committee will review all new study protocols within a time of six weeks (time until first feedback).
   • PI´s of new studies will submit to the chair of the research committee:
   • a short summary of the background and aims of the study (cover letter)
   • a study protocol
   • if available, ethical approval at his/her home institution
   • if applicable, informed consent forms in languages where the study is intended to take place
6. PI´s may address the research committee anytime before formal submission to obtain advice on designing the study.
7. In the review of the study protocol, the committee will give advice to the PI on the following points:
   scientific quality
   • ethical considerations
   • recruitment expectations and timelines
   • technical feasibility
   • partners involved
8. The research committee may request amendments to be made to the protocol/research plan before a final recommendation is given.
9. The research committee will give a recommendation resulting from the review to the network coordinator.
10. The network coordinator has the final decision to either approve or reject a protocol, and has to settle potential disputes.
11. After a study is approved by the network coordinator, the research committee will actively assist the PI to implement it in the network.
12. The research committee will actively support the PI in recruiting new TropNet member sites as study centres by:
    • informing network members about the study
    • assisting in selection of TropNet sites best suited for carrying out the study
13. At the annual TropNet meeting, all PI´s of new and ongoing studies will report on the status of their projects.