Human Research Ethics Online Training

To ensure ethical conduct in human research, research projects that carry more than low risk to research participants must be independently reviewed before research can begin. The review process takes place through an independent panel of people from diverse backgrounds. In Australia we have Human Research Ethics Committees (HRECs) that are responsible for the review process. There are particular rules about the composition of these HRECs. They should consist of:

• at least 2 lay people, a man and a woman, who are not themselves researchers and have no affiliation to the research institution; 
• at least 1 person with experience in counselling or treatment of people; 
• at least 1 person who performs pastoral care in the community, e.g. an Aboriginal elder or minister of religion; 
• a lawyer; 
• at least 2 researchers.

There must be at least 8 people on an HREC; they should be equally men and women, as far as possible, and at least a third of the members should be external to the institution that the HREC reviews research for.

Reference: See the National Statement p.79-82 for the rules about establishment, composition, and procedures of HRECs

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