Human Research Ethics and Integrity: Principles and Practice

Ethical conduct is a fundamental part of the research process. Australia has some of the world’s most rigorous ethics regulatory frameworks that seek to continually underwrite a high standard of research conduct--as evidenced by the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (NHMRC et al, 2023), the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research (NHMRC et al, 2018), and the AIATSIS Code of Ethics (2020). This course aims to provide students with a solid understanding of the principles and practical aspects of ethical conduct in social science research. It seeks to examine various ethical framework to help social science doctoral students critically assess their own ethical behaviour throughout the life span of a project - beyond merely complying with regulatory bodies such as the ANU Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC). The course is in two parts. Part I sets out first principles of ethical behaviour according to the National Statement, the Code of Responsible Conduct, and the AIATSIS Code. A brief overview of (a) ethical approaches; (b) ethical controversies, and (c) processes of research governance and ethical review, and common antagonisms between researchers and HRECs, is also offered. Part II adopts a narrow-and-deep focus by examining ethical considerations to specific types of participants (e.g. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples; children and young people, etc). The course is largely applied in nature (research led problem-based learning), and seeks to complement other research methods courses available to HDR students.