Evaluating Student Satisfaction with Rethica: A Digital Tool for Research Ethics Approval at the Faculty of Law, University Teknologi Mara

In recent years, the need for a structured and transparent process for research ethics approval has become increasingly important in higher education institutions. To address administrative delays and improve students’ understanding of ethical compliance, the Faculty of Law, University Technology MARA (UiTMLaw) has introduced the REthica application, a digital platform designed to facilitate and monitor ethics approval for undergraduate and postgraduate research. As UiTMLaw places strong emphasis on academic integrity and ethical research practices, evaluating students’ experience with this tool is essential. This study investigates the level of satisfaction among Part 5 and Master of Enforcement UiTMLaw students who have used the REthica application for their research ethic approval application. Employing a quantitative approach, data were collected via a structured questionnaire distributed to Part 5 and Master of Enforcement UiTMLaw students during the 2024/2025 academic session. Participants were selected through purposive sampling, as they are required to complete a final-year research project and dissertation respectively. The data were analysed using descriptive statistical techniques to assess students’ perceptions of the app’s usability, effectiveness, and areas for improvement. The findings reveal that while students generally appreciated the app’s user-friendly interface and the transparency it offers in tracking the ethics approval process, several technical challenges were noted, indicating room for refinement. The study underscores the importance of ongoing system enhancements to ensure that the ReThica app effectively supports students in navigating the ethics approval process, upholds academic integrity, and promotes a robust research culture within the faculty.