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Human research ethics

Before commencing experiments, researchers (including undergraduate and postgraduate students) who wish to undertake research involving human participants must obtain approval from the Human Research Ethics Committee. No experimentation can take place without ethics clearance.

USQ commitment

USQ is committed to promoting ethical conduct of research and require all staff and students to ensure:

  • experiments involving human subjects are worthwhile and likely to contribute to new knowledge
  • experiments are conducted and supervised appropriately
  • the rights of experimental subjects are protected.

Applications for human ethics approval are processed through the Office of Research & Higher Degrees.

Human Research Ethics Committee

The Human Research Ethics Committee is established and conducted in compliance with the NHMRC National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2007), and the Values and Ethics: Guidelines for Ethical Conduct in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Research (2003). The primary purpose of the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research is the protection of the welfare and rights of participants in research.

The Human Research Ethics Committee is responsible for:

  •  reviewing the ethical acceptability of human research
  • advising of any ethical considerations for these proposals
  • ensuring compliance with regulatory and legislative requirements relating to human research.

The general principles followed by the Human Research Ethics Committee in its deliberations are:

  • informed participant consent
  • voluntary participation and right of withdrawal without sanction
  • confidentiality of participants and records
  • secure storage of relevant data for a minimum period of five years after completion of a research project
  • clear, coherent expression of research proposals
  • regular monitoring of research outcomes.

Further information

For further information about the human ethics process, clearance and Human Research Ethics Committee, please email ethics@usq.edu.au or telephone +61 7 4631 2690.