HREC Policy for Undergraduate and Postgraduate Students

1. Ethics in research

It is a requirement of this University that all research involving humans be conducted in accordance with guidelines established by the Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC).

It is important for all researchers to recognise the debt they owe to those people who agree to be subjects or participants of research, and respect them accordingly. This will include a respect for their right to protection of their privacy, and to protection from embarrassment or intrusion. In the past, difficulties have arisen through insufficient consideration of how subjects/participants will perceive the research project, and what it involves for them. Difficulties arise when researchers concentrate on the desired outcome of their research rather than the possible consequences for subjects/participants.

2. When formal HREC approval is not needed

Due to the large number of undergraduate students, and postgraduate by coursework research projects (e.g. Master's by coursework and Diplomas) being undertaken each year at this university, the HREC has decided that under normal circumstances only Doctoral and Master's by research projects will require formal ethics approval. Undergraduate and postgraduate coursework projects should not in the main require HREC approval, particularly if the University guidelines prepared by the HREC are strictly adhered to.

In some coursework projects, formal HREC approval may not be deemed necessary, but some form of ethics approval might still be necessary. For these cases, faculties, schools and departments are encouraged to establish appropriate methods for dealing with ethical considerations of student research as applicable to their particular disciplines. For instance, they may establish their own research ethics committee that could liaise with the HREC. Alternatively, where a particular subject involves a number of students undertaking similar research projects, the course coordinator may wish to seek ethics approval for the subject as a whole.

It is also expected that all programs which teach principles of research methodology will include an ethics component to acquaint students with the relevant issues and appropriate professional codes and guidelines.

3. Examples of research not needing HREC approval

The following types of research, including Doctoral and Master's by research, will not require HREC approval:

1. Research which involves surveys using anonymous questionnaires should not normally need HREC approval as long as the points in this document are taken into account and there is no coercion to participate.
2. Research which involves simple assessments normally carried out in the classroom or laboratory, provided adequate protocol/safety procedures are used, and the points in this document and the attached guidelines are taken into account, should not normally need HREC approval.
3. Some activities, such as investigative journalism, which normally involve interviewing people and collecting information but are not considered 'research' as such. Activities such as these may be more readily dealt with through the appropriate professional codes and guidelines.

Note: Anonymous research is research in which the identity of subjects/participants cannot be linked to their response in any way.

4. When formal ethics approval is needed

Master's by research and Doctoral projects that involve humans are more likely to involve significant ethical issues. As such, they will probably require formal HREC approval. This refers to the research component of all Doctoral and Master's degrees (as opposed to any coursework component).

Students may also need to apply for formal ethics approval where the research involves another institution which requires formal ethics approval, or if the research involves direct intervention with humans which may have significant consequences for them. For example, questions about attitudes to sexuality or cancer could have significant effect on some people through either personal experience or family experience. Similarly, research which involves a change of treatment protocol or teaching methods and material might require ethics approval. Research involving evaluation of managerial or industrial practices may also need HREC approval. The Research Ethics Officer or the Chair of the HREC are willing to advise supervisors or faculties whether or not any particular proposal needs formal HREC approval.

5. How to apply for formal ethics approval

Students requiring formal ethics approval should submit their application to the HREC, in their supervisor's name. Application forms are available from the Ethics Secretariat in the Research and Commericalisation Office, telephone 02 9514 9615, or from the Application forms section of the UTS Human Ethics website. [Update: see Human research (staff or student ID required).]

The Committee usually meets on the second Tuesday of each month, excepting January. Researchers are reminded to allow at least 3–6 weeks to enable full consideration of their applications.

6. Guidelines for graduate degrees by coursework involving research

Each faculty, school and department is responsible for ensuring that its students carry out research in an ethical manner in accordance with University guidelines. The University adheres to the Australian Vice-Chancellors' Committee's Joint NHMRC/AV-CC Statement and Guidelines on Research Practice. The Commonwealth Privacy Act (1988)and the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Research Involving Humans. The HREC recognises that each faculty is different but expects that each will enforce the University's policy in respect of the ethical conduct of research. The responsibility rests with the Dean of each faculty for ensuring that postgraduate students are prepared to carry out their research in an ethical way.

The HREC also expects that the staff responsible for supervising postgraduate coursework research projects will ensure compliance with University guidelines for the ethical conduct of research involving humans. The HREC recommends that all postgraduate subjects that contain a research element also contain references to guidelines for the ethical conduct of research, including any relevant professional guidelines.

The guidelines prepared by the HREC are available online. This document should be distributed to postgraduate students undertaking research involving humans. It is expected that the guidelines will be followed.

7. Retention of data

The AV-CC guidelines on data storage and retention require that data be kept for a minimum of five years after publication of research. However, in NSW, longer retention requirements are required for research on human subjects with potential long-term effects, research with long-term environmental effects, or research considered of national and international significance, importantce, or controversy. If the data from this research project falls into one of these categories, contact University Records for advice on long-term retention (see University Records contact details below).

8. Queries

Any queries about research ethics can be directed to the Ethics Secretariat in the Research and Commercialisation Office, telephone (02) 9514 9615. Information and contact details for Committee members, including the Chairperson, are available on the UTS Human Ethics website.

Other UTS administrative contacts

For further information on long-term retention of data, contact:

University Records
telephone 02 9514 1245
website www.records.uts.edu.au

Last administrative update approved by: Professor Peter Booth, Acting Vice-Chancellor, November 2004