Research Ethics Monthly
ISSN 2206-2483
Internal Human Research Ethics annual reporting
June 28, 2021
No Comments
In this post Gary discusses the components of a good internal report from a research ethics committee to the governing body of the host institution.
Such reports should be produced annually.
A constructive report should provide a snapshot of the committee during the reported period.
The report should cover specific matters that are optional and strategic in nature.
Confidence versus mandatory reporting
June 18, 2021
No Comments
In this post find out why Gary is cranky about the proposed good practice guide for Australian Research Integrity Advisers.
#SPOILERALERT It is because he believes institutions need a network of collegiate Research Integrity Advisers to nurture and support a community of practice within their institution.
He also thinks mandatory reporting and telling people to speak in hypotheticals are STUPID.
While Gary describes this as a personal opinion, we agree. We don’t see how mandatory reporting will make serving as an RIA would be appealing or encourage anyone to consult them about whether an individual’s practice is appropriate.
AHRECS provides desktop audit and blueprint on Research Integrity within an institution and conducts professional development for RIAs.
Contact enquiry@ahrecs.com to discuss.
Tongue in Cheek
March 22, 2021
No Comments
Farida Fozdar responds and reflects upon the February 2021 post by Gary Allen and Mark Israel.
Farida Fozdar
The Tower of Babel (Allen and Israel, 2021) is a compelling image when considering issues to do with translation and interpreting and the ethics of social research. Even when we speak the same language, we may not be ‘speaking the same language’, so to speak (excuse the triple metaphor). Talking past each other occurs in many ways but, in communicating the clear purpose and potential risks of one’s research, clarity is vital. Here, I outline a few issues from personal research experience, arguing that the communities themselves may be best placed to identify ethics issues and solutions to translation and interpreting dilemmas.
When working with those from a language different from that of the researchers, it may be the case that the idea of research is not well understood in the culture of origin…
A poor call and two missed opportunities, but otherwise not a bad proposed revision to NS s5
October 20, 2020
No Comments
In this post, Gary, Mark and Kim refect on the draft update to Section 5 of the Australia’s National Statement.
“In recent years in Australia, we have seen some painful cases where research ethics review delegated to a non-HREC review body has failed to guard against projects that proved to be embarrassing for their host institution (see, for example, the ‘Racist bus driver’ and ‘Laughing at the disabled’ projects)….”
Hong Kong Principles
September 29, 2020
No Comments
The publication of the Hong Kong Principles comes at a time when there has never been more scrutiny of research. In this pandemic, the importance of science has been reinforced time and time again, but the importance of efforts to enhance reproducibility and transparency in research has also come to the fore. What the Hong Kong Principles do is provide a framework whereby research practices that strengthen integrity in research – a core component of reproducibility and trustworthiness – can be recognised, supported and rewarded.
Updated checklist for HDR Supervisors
September 14, 2020
No Comments
Back in May, we published a resource for supervisors of postgraduate research students to assist with evaluating whether a research
Worried your researchers might not be treating human research ethics as a core component of good research practice? Concerned they are not seeing it as their responsibility?
June 19, 2020
No Comments
All of us might be part of the problem. Dr Gary Allen AHRECS Senior Consultant Consider a hypothetical problem: You
When Research is the treatment: why the research/clinical care divide doesn’t always work
June 4, 2020
No Comments
Nik Zeps AHRECS Consultant Health services are often operated by people who strive to improve the way they deliver care.
Categories
Featured posts
Welcome to the AHRECS Blog
May 23, 2015
No Comments
We are thrilled to kick off the AHRECS blog together with our first go
Working flexibly through the Coronavirus: Continuing professional development in research integrity or human research ethics?
March 17, 2020
No Comments
Research ethics and research integrity professional development works best as a long-term commitment to
Think of, and treat, consent as a powerful and complex verb, not a strictly defined and constrained noun
November 29, 2021
No Comments
The notion of consent and the expectation researchers will seek the prior consent of participants has a long history in human research ethics.
It has been a feature of many of the most infamous ethical Breakers commerce stamps and scandals.
Consequently, it has become a baked in feature of most of the guidelines on human research ethics.
But is that a good thing?
The typical approach to consent in human research doesn’t really work for a number of circumstances, research designs or potential how to participant pools.
Long strict guidelines can compound the error and can risk alienating researchers.
A more nuanced approach that provides guidance on necessary features of consent material can be more helpful than template consent materials.
This is exactly the kind of approach that this called for by the National Statement in Australia
Updated checklist for HDR Supervisors
September 14, 2020
No Comments
Back in May, we published a resource for supervisors of postgraduate research students to