Social and behavioural research and evaluation studies

What are social, behavioural and evaluation sciences?

Social and behavioural studies

This research seeks to understand how people and communities think, act and interact.

• Social science tends to focus on society, culture, and relationships, through disciplines including anthropology, economics, and political science.
• Behavioural science tends to focus on individual actions, cognitive processes, and decision-making, via disciplines including psychology, cognitive science, and neuroscience.

Social and behavioural science studies may involve surveys, interviews, focus groups, observational methods or behavioural interventions and often explore social, cultural, psychological or policy-related questions.

While typically non-invasive, they require careful consideration of privacy, consent and participant wellbeing.

Evaluation studies

These studies measure the effectiveness of real-world programs.

Evaluation studies assess the design, implementation or impact of a specific program, service or policy, using systematic data collection to determine whether goals were met and how to improve future outcomes.

This may be done using qualitative data (interviews, focus groups) and/or quantitative data (surveys, statistics). So, evaluation activities may involve participant recruitment, data collection and analysis.

Appropriate ethical oversight is important to ensure your study respects participants and participant data while considering all risks and benefits.

The level of risk associated with your study determines the appropriate level of ethical review, as set out in the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2025).

Bellberry offer an HREC review pathway or a streamlined Lower Risk review pathway where relevant criteria are met.

If you’re unsure which pathway applies, contact us before submitting — we’re happy to help you work it out.

What Bellberry’s ethics committees can review

Bellberry’s HRECs review a broad range of social and behavioural research, including surveys, interviews, focus groups, observational studies, behavioural interventions and evaluation studies.

Bellberry has a broad range of member expertise in different research areas and methodologies. The HREC is tailored to ensure that your study is reviewed by people who have the relevant experience and understand the requirements of the application.

With weekly meetings and a typical turnaround of around 20 working days, Bellberry provides efficient, high-quality review for social and behavioural studies at all risk levels.

For more on our committee structure, expertise and accreditation, see Human Research Ethics Committees.

How to submit your study for review

Both social and behavioural research and evaluation studies are submitted through Bellberry’s eProtocol online system.

See How to Apply for step-by-step guidance on registration, documentation requirements and the submission process.