Ethics in Human Research
In conducting research that involves human participants, all students and staff of Charles Sturt University (CSU) must act in accordance with the National Statement on the Ethical Conduct in Human Research [hereafter, referred to as the National Statement.] The National Statement was revised recently, with the current Statement being tabled in Parliament in 2007.
National Statement on the Ethical Conduct in Human Research
The purpose of the National Statement is stated thus:
To promote ethically good human research. Fulfilment of this purpose requires that participants be accorded the respect and protection that is due to them. It also involves the fostering of research that is of benefit to the community (2007, p. 7).
There are two important points in here that you need to understand to appreciate the processes that CSU has in place and how they might impact on your during your research.
First, the point that participants ‘be accorded the respect and protection that is due to them’: assurances as to the careful and respectful treatment of participants are the key focus of the reviews of applications undertaken by Human Research Ethics Committees (HRECs). You should be careful not to downplay anything measures you are taking in your research to ensure the fair treatment of your participants.
Second, the point that it is a role of HRECs to foster research: researchers (especially students who often have tight deadlines to meet) sometimes feel as though HRECs act as some sort of active obstacle to their research, “finding” or “making” problems where none “really” exist. It is important to remember that HRECs approach their work with this aim of fostering research in mind—which means that any “obstacles” they create (e.g. the need to rewrite an application or clarify aspects of an application)will be ones that are in the interests of the research project and, therefore, of the researcher themselves.
When completing an ‘ethics application’, you will find it helpful to at least browse through the National Statement.
Note too that HRECs are also directed to take account of the
Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research.
While important, this document directs a lot of attention towards institutional responsibilities (as distinct from the responsibilities of individual researchers), and to this extent may be less helful for informing your research than the National Statement.
HREC Approval Processes at CSU
Some points to note:
- All low-risk applications are now considered by the School-level HREC. The School of Policing Studies (Goulburn) and the Australian Graduate School of Policing (Manly & Canberra) share the one School-level HREC.
- All other applications (i.e.those that are NOT low risk) must be considered by the University HREC.
- This applies to applications from both staff and students.
If you require ehtics approval, please note the following procedure:
Complete the Minimal Risk Review Checklistto ascertain whether your research project would be eligible to be submitted to the School-level HREC for ehtical review as a minimal risk research.
If you answer “YES” to any items in the checklist your project must be submitted to the University HREC for review (unless you can make a special case – refer section 6).
You should complete an Application for Approval formand submit it to the University HREC.
If you do NOT answer “yes” to any questions on the checklist, your project will normally be eligible for submission to the School-level HREC.
You should complete an Application for Approval formand submit it to the School-level HREC via the Secretariat kerbrown@csu.edu.au.
Centre for Research and Graduate Training - Forms
Additional information regarding the CSU Human Research and Ethics Committee may be found via the Centre for Research and Graduate Training.
Additional forms in relation to the application and approval processes may be located via page of forms.
Meeting Dates
MEETING DATES 2009 FOR UNIVERSITY HREC |
AGENDA FOR UNIVERSITY HREC CLOSES |
DUE DATES FOR APPLICATIONS BEING FORWARDED TO SCHOOL-LEVEL HREC* |
* The dates for the School-level HREC are set so that if any applications need to be referred up to the University HREC, this can be done before the agenda for the latter meeting closes. |
Monday 6 April |
20 March |
6 March |
|
Monday 4 May |
17 April |
3 April |
|
Monday 1 June |
15 May |
1 May |
|
Monday 6 July |
19 June |
5 June |
|
Monday 3 August |
17 July |
3 July |
|
Monday 7 September |
21 August |
7 August |
|
Monday 12 October |
26 September |
12 September |
|
Monday 2 November |
16 October |
2 October |
|
Monday 7 December |
20 November |
6 November |
