Academic Progression & Grading System:

STUDENT CLASSIFICATION
 
Students are classified by any of the three levels of study they are in:

• Freshman - All registered students who have completed (passed) less than 40 Credit Units
• Junior - All registered students who have completed (passed) 40 Credit Units but less than 80 Credit Units
• Senior - All registered students who have completed (passed) 80 Credit Units or more

Students admitted into TP diploma courses will be at Freshman level, except for those who are given advanced standing.

RECOMMENDED PROGRESSION PATH AND WORKLOAD 
 

In general, HSS diplomas have recommended progression paths designed for you to complete your course in three years (6 semesters). You must complete your course of study between six and ten semesters. The maximum workload that you are allowed to take in each semester is typically 28 Credit Units (CUs) and the minimum workload is 15 CUs. 

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR TAKING SUBJECTS OF NEXT HIGHER LEVEL 

• To be eligible to take a Level 2 subject in his/her diploma of study, a student must have completed at least 15 cu of Level 1 subjects.
• To be eligible to take a Level 3 subject in his/her diploma of study, a student must have completed at least 45 cu of Level 2 subjects.
• To be eligible for SIP and Major Project, students must have obtained at least 60 cu. You must complete (pass) a specified number of credit units before taking Level 2 subjects and Level 3 subjects. The required number of credit units can be found in the course structure.
  
  

ACADEMIC STANDING 

There are five types of academic standing, which will be reflected in the students’ results notification slips. 

a) Proceed to next semester

• Students who passed all subjects in the current semester, or
• Students who failed an elective subject or a Global Studies 2 subject.

b) Proceed to next semester (Academic Warning)

• Students who failed a TPFun subject (excluding Global Studies 2 subjects), or a diploma core subject or required diploma option after the examination/ assessment, or 
• Students who are currently in their 9th semester of study and have still not met the graduation requirements, or 
• Students who have two consecutive semesters of cumulative GPA (cGPA) below 1.0. 

c) Removed

• Students who met the removal criteria [refer to section on REMOVAL below]. 

d) Extended Probation 

• Students who are removed but reinstated for whatever reasons. 
• Such students must obtain a cumulative GPA of at least 1.0 by the end of their “Extended Probation” semester or pass the failed subject(s), otherwise, they will be removed from their course of study.

e) Completed course of study 

• Students who have met the stipulated course graduation requirements.

The above rules on Academic Warning will also apply to students on Leave of Absence (LOA) for one semester or longer. If students are given Academic Warning prior to their LOA, the warning prior to their leave will count towards possible removal.

CRITERIA FOR REMOVAL

Students will be recommended to the Board of Examiners for removal from their course of study if any of the following criteria is met:

• Did not fulfil the graduation requirements within the stipulated maximum time allowed to complete the course, in accordance with TP Exam Bye Laws.
• Cumulative GPA (cGPA) is less than 1.0 for three consecutive semesters.
• Did not pass a TPFun subject (excluding Global Studies 2 subjects), a diploma core or required diploma option subject in two attempts.

GRADING SYSTEM
 

The formula for calculating the GPA is:Your progress within a course of study is evaluated based on the Grade Point Average (GPA). The GPA is a numerical value that indicates your academic achievement in the course.

The formula for calculating the GPA is:

GPA = sum (credit units assigned to subject x subject grade point)
                          sum (credit units assigned to subject)

GPA = Total credit points / Total credit units

        = 55 / 19

        = 2.89

Semester GPA and Cumulative GPA will be calculated.

Subjects without grade point will not be included in the calculation of GPA.

The calculation of cumulative GPA (cGPA) will include all subjects with grade point. Any failed elective subjects or Global Studies 2 subjects, which were not replaced, will be included in the computation of cGPA.

A student who repeated a subject (having failed it before) would have his/her new grade replaced his/her old failed grade (zero grade point). His/her new grade point would be used in the calculation of his/her semester GPA and cumulative GPA.

A student’s Results Transcript will show all the subjects that he had taken, together with the grades.

The Ethics Committee’s (EC) main task is to review Social, Behavioural, & Education Research (SBER) involving human subjects in Temasek Polytechnic. SBER focuses on understanding how humans think, feel, and do (behave). Such research involves understanding their knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, motivations, perceptions, and emotions, and seeing how these may occur among individuals, and social groups or settings (e.g., in families, schools, work, communities, online spaces etc.). It also includes research conducted in the field of education (e.g., learning sciences, pedagogy etc.).

The common types of SBER and their Brief Descriptions

SBER uses a range of methodologies such as surveys, interviews, focus groups, observations, behavioural and/or psychological instruments and measures, longitudinal data. Analysis of secondary data and public data/records may also be included.

The EC’s role is to protect the welfare and rights of both the research participants and the researcher (and research team). It does so by ensuring that all researchers and their partners in research are committed to adopt and adhere to appropriate standards of professional ethical behaviour when dealing with their research participants.

(Note: If your research involves personally identifiable health information and human biomedical data, please submit to TP-IRB for ethics review and approval). 

Chair – Dr Gabrielle LAI
Lecturer / Centre for Applied Behavioural Sciences
Email: Gabrielle_LAI@TP.EDU.SG

Vice-Chair – Dr Eugene KOH
Lecturer / Diploma in Psychology Studies
Email: Eugene_KOH@tp.edu.sg

EC Members:

Mr TEY Beng Huan
Lecturer / Centre for Applied Behavioural Sciences
TEY_Beng_Huan@tp.edu.sg

Ms KEK Chee Hui
Lecturer / Centre for Applied Behavioural Sciences
Email: KEK_Chee_Hui@TP.EDU.SG

Dr Anna NEO
Lecturer / Diploma in Psychology Studies
Email: Anna_NEO@tp.edu.sg

Ms Elsie HUI
Lecturer / Diploma in Psychology Studies
Email: Elsie_HUI@tp.edu.sg

Dr CHEE Chew Sim
Lecturer / Diploma in Social Sciences in Gerontology
Email: CHEE_Chew_Sim@TP.EDU.SG

Mr Sam SIM
Manager / Diploma in Social Sciences in Gerontology
Email: Sam_SIM@TP.EDU.SG

For general contact information / enquiries: hssethics@tp.edu.sg

You are required to submit an application for Ethics Approval if your research meets one of the following criteria:

1. It involves the collection of data from Temasek Polytechnic staff and/or students.
2. The research involves resources from Temasek Polytechnic.
3. It involves the presentation of results and findings at public events / conferences while representing Temasek Polytechnic (that are beyond teaching and learning purposes).
4. It involves the use of findings for publication in journals, books and magazines etc. while representing Temasek Polytechnic.
5. It involves research collaborations (internal and/or external) while representing Temasek Polytechnic.

If your research meets any of the conditions above, please submit for ethics review.

EC Review Categories                                                       

There are three main review categories for new research.

• Exempt Review
• Expedited Review
• Full Review

(Note: Extension / Amendment Review is for prior approved research)

These categories are based on the concept of “Minimal Risk”.  Minimal Risk is where the probability and magnitude of harm or discomfort anticipated in the proposed research are not greater than those ordinarily encountered in daily life, or during the performance of routine physical, or psychological examinations or tests.

Each category differs in the degree of risk involved (see diagram below)

Exempt Review Category                                                                          

• Anonymous tests (e.g., educational, cognitive, aptitude, achievement), surveys, interviews, public observations, and usability tests
  
• Research is within normal educational & organizational practices in established or commonly accepted settings
• Secondary research on existing data, in public domain, or repositories
• Brief and harmless behavioral interventions that are not physically invasive and is of low risk

If your research qualifies for Exempt Review category, please complete (Exempt Review form) and submit it to hssethics@tp.edu.sg.

You may use this informed Consent template form for your research.

Expedited Review Category

• Research is of no more than minimal risk.
  
• Research involves methodologies such as surveys, interviews, focus groups, evaluations (e.g., products, programs, curriculum, services etc.), and brief and harmless behavioral interventions that do NOT qualify for Exempt Review (see above).
• Collection of data from digital, audio, video records that are for the purpose of research.
• Research involves collection of data through non-invasive procedures and devices, which have been cleared/approved for marketing (e.g., Fitbit, VR headsets etc.).

Note: Research that intends to evaluate the effectiveness of novel and untested devices and/or systems (e.g., applications) are not eligible for Expedited Review.

Some Common Examples of Research under Expedited Review:

• A study in which students undergo a novel teaching approach, curriculum, or program, that is not within normal or current teaching and learning practices. Student outcomes are taken as a measure to evaluate effectiveness.
• A study in which staff/employees experience a new program or policy, that is not within typical or current organizational practices. Staff outcomes are taken as a measure to evaluate effectiveness.
• A study in which participants view a stimuli (e.g., video on coping strategies) and have to respond to personally sensitive questions about their attitudes, motivations, and behaviours related to their mental well-being.
• A study comparing learning or work performance between novice and experts.
• A study to identify and/or validate factors related to student/staff success and performance.
• A study to examine the relationship between student’s demographics and experiences with their school-to-work outcomes.

If your research qualifies for Expedited Review category, please complete (Expedited Review form) and submit it to hssethics@tp.edu.sg.

You may use this informed consent form template for your research.

Full Review Category

Research studies that qualify for Full Review category are studies that expose participants to more than minimal risk. Full review studies involve risks and discomforts that exceed those that they are commonly exposed in their ordinary day-to-day lives.

Criteria to Qualify for Full Review: 

• Collection of data from digital, audio, video records that are for the purpose of research.
• Research involves sensitive and protected populations (e.g., children, individuals with physical and/or cognitive disabilities), or marginalized populations (e.g., prisoners).
• Research involves highly sensitive topics or information (e.g., mental health / status, disorders, violence, abuse etc.)
• Research involves procedures that are over a sustained period of time, or are intrusive, stressful, and/ or potentially traumatic.

Note: Stress can be physical, psychological, social, financial or legal.

• Research involves testing novel non-medical devices and/or systems (e.g., applications). 
• Research that involves possible coercion or undue influence that induces or entices consent (e.g., excessive compensation, inequitable relationship etc.).
• Must have informed consent, and the informed/parental consent cannot be waived.

If your research qualifies for Full Review category, please complete (Full Review form) and submit it to hssethics@tp.edu.sg.

You may use this informed consent form template for your research.

Extension and Amendment of Approved Research

The Extension / Amendment Approval review is used to review studies that have previously undergone ethics review and approval by either the School of Humanities & Social Sciences (HSS) Ethics Committee (EC) or by another external IRB committee outside of Temasek Polytechnic.

It can be used for one of the following 2 purposes: (a) Request for Research Extension for previously approved ethics application that is going to expire, (b) Request for Amendments to Research Study for previously approved ethics application for minor changes to the research protocol.

For (a), the request for research extension must be made before the expiry of the previously approved ethics application. For (b), the request for amendments to research study can only be approved if the proposed amendments do not result in a major change in research aims and hypothesis, methodology, and procedures of the study.

If you would like to extend and/or amend an approved research, please complete (Extension/Amendment form) and submit it to hssethics@tp.edu.sg.

If you are unsure of the different review categories above and which category your research qualifies for, please email hssethics@tp.edu.sg for further advice.

Ethics Application & Review Process 

Note: The number of weeks of correspondence is only an estimation. It is dependent on the complexity of the project and extend of review required to ensure the welfare and rights of both the research participants and the researcher (and research team) are protected.

WHAT ARE THE GUIDING ETHICAL PRINCIPLES FOR RESEARCH & ETHICS REVIEW?

The evaluation of all research proposals is guided by four principles of research policy:

• Briefing & Informed Consent
• Minimal Risk
• Debriefing
• Confidentiality

(source: APA Ethical Standards Covering Treatment of Human Participants)

ADEQUACY OF BRIEFING AND  INFORMED CONSENT TO RESEARCH

The brief that the researcher provides the participant orally, in writing or both is known as the informed consent. Individuals should not be subjected to coercion to participate in the research.
 

Generally, the researcher will provide a brief description of: 

• The general purpose of the research
• The research methods, activities and procedures that the participants will be involved in
• Any potential risks or discomfort that may result from the research
• Who to contact to find out more about the research or its procedures
• The right to terminate from participation during the research without penalty or prejudice.

You may use this Informed Consent template TP Informed consent template-for reference for your research.

MINIMUM RISK EVALUATION

Minimal Risk is where the probability and magnitude of harm or discomfort anticipated in the proposed research are not greater than those ordinarily encountered in daily life, or during the performance of routine physical, or psychological examinations or tests.

The researcher is obliged to assess and anticipate any risks or discomforts that the research participant may experience from the research/experiment and brief the participant accordingly.

At all times, the researcher has to avoid risking anyone with whom he/she works with. Where risk is predictable and unavoidable, the researcher has to take steps to minimize it. These risks/discomforts may be physical, physiological, emotional and/or social in nature. These risks must be weighed based on the benefits gained from the research.

This brief should likewise highlight any potential benefits that the participant may gain from the research participation.

APPROPRIATE DEBRIEFING
 

The debrief provides the participant an overview of what had happened during the process of research participation. It allows the researcher to address any issues or discomfort as well as correct any misconceptions the participant may have pertaining to the research.

An adequate debrief should:

• summarize the nature, results and conclusions of the research
• be conducted promptly after the research
• reduce and minimize the risk of harm by providing useful resources where the research participants can seek further advice or help

APPROPRIATE HANDLING OF RESEARCH DATA & MAINTENANCE OF CONFIDENTIALITY
 

The researcher is bound by professional ethics to take precautions to protect all obtained and stored confidential data. Similarly, the researcher cannot disclose any confidential information that may lead to the identification of the research participant or any organizational subject.
 

At the start of the research, the researcher should point out to the research participant:

• who is authorized to view and use the data
• how this data will be used
• the risks to privacy

Please take note of the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA). As this is legislative, these laws must not be violated. (https://www.pdpc.gov.sg/Overview-of-PDPA/The-Legislation/Personal-Data-Protection-Act)

If you have any questions regarding any of the fore mentioned matters, please email hssethics@tp.edu.sg.