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Human Research Ethics

Human Ethics Online

Human Ethics Online (HEO) has been designed to improve and streamline the ethics application process and to meet NHMRC guidelines. The Ethics Officers have worked, together with the Project Team, to ensure that the form meets the needs of all users (researchers, HREC, NHMRC and themselves) with regard to language, logic, ease of use and navigation.

From now, applications for ethical approval for New ACU Projects and Registration/Transfer of External Ethics Approval should be made via HEO, available in Orion. Paper applications will no longer be accepted after 30 June 2012.

Request to Use Non-identifiable Data, and Taught Unit will become available mid-year, after which time, paper based forms will no longer be accepted. Modifications and Progress Reports, should continue to use the paper form available on our website below.

Researchers will now be able to access Orion: Human Ethics Online (HEO) automatically. Various online resources are available below to assist with self directed learning. There will also be teleconference training sessions available throughout the year, which will be advertised in the coming weeks. Any enquires regarding training should be sent to res.ethics@acu.edu.au.

Any support enquiries should be made through the Support Desk (ext. 7272 or servicedesk@acu.edu.au.

 

If you have any questions regarding Human Ethics Online, please contact Kristy Johnson. General questions about Ethics should be directed to your local Ethics Officer or via email to Res.Ethics@acu.edu.au.

Help & Resources

Human Research Ethics

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

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.

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.

Assistance

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