Ethics and Human Research

Human research defined

The NHMRC’s National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research defines human research as any research that collects data from or about humans either through direct intervention or indirect involvement. The term human research covers all research and teaching projects (including surveys, interviews, experiments and examinations of documents) where the interests of human participants require consideration. Human participants are considered to be those who personally interact with the researcher, those who are subject to observation, and/or those whose personal and confidential records are being accessed.

The National Statement

The National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research, issued in 2007 by the NHMRC (which replaces the 1999 version), is the primary and definitive Australian source of ethical principles governing the conduct and review of research in all disciplines involving or impacting upon humans. The National Statement is endorsed by the Australian Vice-Chancellors’ Committee (AVCC), and the Australian Research Council (ARC). Institutions failing to comply with the National Statement risk losing NHMRC funding.