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As one of the world's leading research universities, the ANU is committed to
the highest standards of conduct in the responsible practice of research.
Such practices promote quality in research, enhance the reputation of
the University and its researchers, and minimise the risk of harm for
all involved. For this reason, the ANU has a comprehensive set of policies
and guidelines that govern the integrity of research carried out by
University researchers, including issues of animal and human ethics, academic
conduct, privacy, and public perception of ANU’s research integrity.
The Office
of Research Integrity, located downstairs in the Chancelry building,
was created to provide a sharper focus on, and tighter management of,
ANU’s research ethics and related matters. It is administered by
the Research Office, and reports to the DVC and the PVC (Research). Advisors
are available to assist with research integrity enquiries and support.
Ethical Review
Ethics are at the heart of research integrity. In 1999, the NHMRC issued
a set of national guidelines on ethics in human research. The primary
purpose of these guidelines, reviewed and released in 2007 as the National
Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research
(2007), is the protection of the welfare and rights of participants
in research. Before conducting research, it is recommended that researchers
familiarise themselves with this Statement. If your research involves
animals, human subjects or genetic modification techniques, you may need
ethics clearance for your research project.
Three University Committees deal with particular aspects of ethics in
research:
The Human Research Ethics Committee considers the ethical implications
of proposals for all research projects involving or impacting on human
subjects to determine whether or not the proposals are acceptable on ethical
grounds and conform to the National Statement. Any research involving
humans, including the use of interviews, surveys, questionnaires as well
as the more obvious areas of experimentation, needs to be reviewed by
the Human Research Ethics Committee before it commences. This includes
research by ANU postgraduate students, Honours undergraduate students
and staff members. The Committee includes internal and external members,
as mandated by the National Statement.
Applying for ethics approval
A new three-level classification of ethical risk has been introduced
to simplify the preparation and ethical review of protocols, and to streamline
the ethical review of low-risk protocols:
- Low-risk protocols (Level E1) are reviewed and approved by the Chair
of the Human Research Ethics Committee. A low-risk protocol will normally
entail no request for adjustment.
- Low-risk protocols (Level E2) are considered and approved by the
Humanities
and Social Sciences Delegated Ethical Review Committee.
- High-risk protocols (Full Review) are considered and approved by
the Human Research Ethics Committee.
To assist in the introduction of the three-level system, and also to
improve the efficiency of administration, the ANU introduced a new online
application form in the ARIES Online Management System. First-time users
commencing a new application in ARIES will need to attend a 1 hour training
session held weekly on Tuesdays. For information on how to register for
training, as well as resources for application, please follow the links
below.
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