Human Research Ethics

Research

Introduction

Universities are required to maintain strict control over all research activities involving human or animal subjects or work in which issues of biosafety are involved. Such research must meet the ethical and safety requirements of the relevant government legislation, and satisfy the guidelines of external funding agencies such as the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC). Any research in which such issues are relevant must first be approved by a relevant ethics or biosafety committee.

Human Research Ethics

It is important that all research involving human participants is conducted in a way that protects all people involved in the research, the participants, the researcher and the University. Ethics approval helps to ensure that research complies with established guidelines such as the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Research involving Humans. Researchers are required to observe ethical, professional and legal responsibilities in the conduct of research. Ethical approval is required for the following reasons:

• to protect the rights and welfare of human subjects of research from any physical and mental discomfort, harm and danger from research procedures;
• to protect your rights as a researcher to carry out legitimate investigation, as well as the University's reputation for research conducted and sponsored by it;
• to minimise the potential for claims of negligence made against you and the University.

Research involving humans can include the use of questionnaires/surveys, interviews, depiction close observation, access to personal data or materials, tissue sampling, administration of physical or mental procedures/sampling/reading, administration of substances, etc.

Ethical clearance must be obtained and notification of approval received prior to commencing any research project or teaching demonstration with human participants.

The Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) (PDF 27KB) is governed by and is constituted in accordance with the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Research Involving Humans. It has been established by the University to assess the ethical and scientific merit of research and teaching projects involving human participants.

Codes on Ethical Research

• National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research
  The National Statement gives the main and minimum standards by which research involving humans is conducted.
• Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research
  The Australian Code provides a guide to institutions and researchers on responsible research practices.
• ACU National Code of Conduct for Research
  

Submitting an Application

All requests for Human Ethics Approval must be made on the Human Research Ethics Application Form and submitted to the Human Research Ethics Committee.

• Guidelines for Applicants (DOC 120KB)
  
• Application Form for Research Projects (DOC 600KB)
  
• Application Form for Taught Units (DOC 135KB)
• Sample Letters for Research Projects (DOC 99KB)
  
• Sample Consent Form (DOC 25KB)
• Meeting Dates and Submission Deadlines 2009 (DOC 44KB)
  

Reporting Changes

Ethical clearance is applicable only to the protocol that has been submitted on the Application Form and is given on the condition that researchers immediately report anything that might warrant review of the ethical approval, for example, serious or unexpected effects on participants; proposed changes in protocol; or unforeseen events.

• Modification Form for Research Projects (DOC 1.14MB)
  
• Progress/Final/Extension Report Form for Research Projects (DOC 1.4MB)
  
• Modification Form for Taught Units (DOC 465KB)
  
• Progress Report for Taught Units (DOC 632KB)
  

Assistance

Please contact Research Services, email Res.Ethics@acu.edu.au, for information and advice.