Research

Research Ethics and Integrity

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Ethics

Research at CQUniversity is monitored a number of ethics committees.

The Human Research Ethics Committee is responsible for ensuring compliance with the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research. The Committee focuses on research with or about people, or their data or tissue.

Our Human Research Ethics Committee (CQUHREC) is responsible for assessing and providing clearance to any research undertaken by university staff or Research Masters or Doctorate candidates involving:

  • the use of humans;
  • the use of human material; and
  • the use of data or records from which individual subjects may be identified.

The standard operating procedures of the Human Research Ethics Committee are in accordance with:

Consent waivers and exemptions

We have no current waivers of consent in place, in accordance with clause 2.3 of the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research.

MEETING AND SUBMISSION DATES

CQUHREC meets monthly and the meeting dates and closing dates for agenda items are:

MEETING DATECLOSING DATE FOR AGENDA ITEMS
30 January16 January 
27 February13 February
26 March12 March
30 April16 April
28 May14 May
25 June11 June
30 July16 July
27 August13 August
24 September10 September
29 October15 October
26 November12 November

The Animal Ethics Committee is responsible for ensuring compliance with the Australian Code for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes (2013).

Our Animal Ethics Committee (CQUAEC) is responsible for assessing and providing clearance to any research or teaching projects undertaken by University staff or students involving the use of vertebrate animals. The Committee is also responsible for monitoring the use and care of animals by the University and conducting site inspections as necessary.

The standard operating procedures of the Animal Ethics Committee are in accordance with:

The Animal Ethics Committee underwent an external review in October 2020, to meet the requirements of the Australian Code for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes.

Meeting and submission dates

The Animal Ethics Committee meets eleven times per year and the meeting dates and submission deadlines are:

2023 Schedule

MEETING DATECLOSING DATE
17 January3 January
14 February31 January
13 March28 February
10 April27 March
15 May1 May
12 June29 May
10 July26 June
14 August31 July
11 September28 August
9 October25 September
13 November30 October
11 December27 November
Adverse Events or Complaints

Researchers are required to report to the AEC any unexpected adverse events which happen to animals during their research. The Chair of the AEC (or Secretary if Chair is unavailable) must be notified by telephone within 24 hours of such an event, and the Adverse Event Form must be submitted as soon as practicable. In determining what is considered an adverse event, researchers are encouraged to visit the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries website.

The Institutional Biosafety Committee is responsible for ensuring compliance with Commonwealth regulations for any activities involving recombinant DNA, genetic manipulation and any exposure to potentially infectious or hazardous agents such as human or animal blood or tissues, whether locally derived or imported.

The Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) is to provide a forum for addressing biosafety issues across the University. It also has a duty to protect students and staff of the University, as well as the Australian people and environment, by establishing procedures to minimise risk due to the release of any harmful organism into the environment.

The (IBC) has the specific responsibility to consider and advise on the following types of activity within research and teaching programs:

  • The use of potentially infectious agents in laboratories (under Australian Standard AS/NZS 2243.3 and related professional and regulatory policies).
  • Work with genetically modified organisms (under the Gene Technology Act 2000) and other guidelines provided by the Office of Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR).
  • Activities relating to the safe handling and disposal of imported biological materials (Australian Government Department of Agriculture and Water Resources).

Consequently, the IBC is a central element of the management of health and safety for any organisation engaged in activities involving recombinant DNA, genetic manipulation and any exposure to potentially infectious or hazardous agents such as human or animal blood or tissues, whether locally derived or imported.

Applications for consideration of Exempt Dealings (ED) and Notifiable Low-Risk Dealings (NLRD) may be submitted to the Ethics team (ethics@cqu.edu.au).

Applications for projects involving Intentional Release of GMOs (DIR) must be lodged directly with the OGTR using the forms provided on the OGTR website.

Application for dealings with GMOS (Genetically Modified Organisms)

Applications for consideration of Exempt Dealings (ED) and Notifiable Low-Risk Dealings (NLRD) may be submitted to the Ethics team (ethics@cqu.edu.au).

Applications for projects involving Intentional Release of GMOs (DIR) must be lodged directly with the OGTR using the forms provided on the OGTR website.

Do you wish to have your facility accredited?

Certain dealings with GMOs must be contained within physical containment facilities. The Regulator provides technical and procedural guidelines for the certification of facilities to specified containment levels. Certification of facilities ensures safety measures are adhered to, preventing the release of GMOs into the environment and at the same time protecting persons outside the facility and ensuring the safety of those working with GMOs within the laboratory.

If you wish to apply for the certification of a facility, please download and complete relevant sections of the application proformas provided on the OGTR website, and forward it to Coordinator (ethics@cqu.edu.au) for processing.

The certification guidelines establish four levels of containment, listed here in ascending order of the stringency of containment requirements, reflecting the level of risk:

  • Physical Containment Level 1 (PC1)
  • Physical Containment Level 2 (PC2)
  • Physical Containment Level 3 (PC3)
  • Physical Containment Level 4 (PC4)

In addition, there are different types of facilities designed to contain different forms of organisms and dealings (microorganisms, plants, animals, etc).

Applicants will be required to indicate on the application form the PC level and the type of facility to be certified. The PC level and facility type will dictate which inspection report checklist, if any, should be completed and submitted with the application.

If you wish to apply for a certification of a physical containment facility, the OGTR website provides comprehensive information pertaining to the accreditation process.

Policies and procedures

Guidance on the procedures for staff who working with potentially infectious agents in laboratories can be found on StaffNet.

Our University is also an accredited institution under the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Regulation 1983.  All research undertaken by our researchers in the Great Barrier Reef must be approved by the University.

Our accreditation allows limited impact research (extractive and non-extractive) to be undertaken by researchers affiliated with the University, in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Regulation 1983, our Codes of Conduct and any Environmental Management Plan for the Scientific Research Zone around research stations. The accreditation removes the need for researchers to obtain a research permit from the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority if they are conducting limited impact research.  

Applicants must familiarise themselves with the Memorandum of Understanding, the University's Code of Conduct for Research in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, the University's Code of Conduct for Research, the tourism/recreation/best-environmental practice and Responsible Reef Practices. Authorisation must be sought from the Vice-President, Research BEFORE the project commences.

Policies and procedures

Useful links

If you have a concern about a research project being conducted by our University, you can confidentially report this to the Ethics Coordinator. Please email: ethics@cqu.edu.au or contact the Ethics Coordinator (07) 4923 2603.

Research Integrity

The Code of Conduct for Research sets out the responsibilities and standards of behaviour expected of researchers, research trainees, and other employees who support research at the University.

The University Code of Conduct for Research ensures that research conducted by the University is compliant with the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research.

The University affirms the principles outlined in the Australian Code, which are:

  • HONESTY in the development, reporting and undertaking of research
  • RIGOUR in the development, reporting and undertaking of research
  • TRANSPARENCY in declaring interests and reporting research methodology, data and findings
  • FAIRNESS in the treatment of others
  • RESPECT for research participants, the wider community, animals and the environment
  • RECOGNITION of the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to be engaged in research that affects or is of particular significance to them
  • ACCOUNTABILITY for the development, undertaking and reporting of research
  • PROMOTION of responsible research practices.

If you become aware of or think there may have been a breach of the Australian Code, please contact one of the University’s Research Integrity Advisors (listed below).

The Research Integrity Advisor will advise whether the matter relates to a potential breach of the Australian Code and may assist you to submit a formal complaint to the University for Preliminary Assessment.

The University is committed to proportional, fair, impartial, timely, transparent, and confidential handling of concerns and complaints.

The University process to manage complaints is in accordance with the NHMRC Guide.

Research Integrity Advisors