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An
Analysis of Research Ethics and the Ethical Review Process as Culture
and Cultural Process
Maureen H. Fitzgerald, PhD
The purpose of this project
is to conduct an anthropological analysis of research ethics and the ethical
review process as culture and cultural process. The intent is to better
understand why some kinds of research present difficulties for ethical
review committees and other research gatekeepers and the researchers who
submit applications for ethical review. The work includes an analysis
of Australian and international ethics review-related documents and processes,
case studies, the literature on issues in research ethics, and the observation
of ethics committees in the process of deliberation on ethics applications.
It focuses primarily on projects, documents, and the literature associated
with the paradigms and methods used or borrowed from the social sciences
and topics and populations that seem to be the most vulnerable and problematic
in the ethical review of applications. The understanding derived from
this project might help us better address the issues involved from an
empirical rather than emotive stance and allow the development of policies
and applications that are less problematic for all concerned. It will
help facilitate the efficient and effective development and review of
research proposals that are of the highest ethical standard.
The focus of the project is on research ethics, the ethical review process,
and the associated explicit and implicit issues that arise in the process
of ethical review. Participation in this project is voluntary and can
include one or more of the following activities:
-
contributing a case study and, if relevant, any associated documentation
(e.g., application forms, letters to or from ethics committees with
any specific identification information deleted)
- engaging
in discussions on ethics, the ethical review process, and any particulars
related to any cases you offer, in the manner most suitable for you
(email, telephone conversation or in person at a convenient time and
place)
- allowing
the observation of the ethical review process and any resulting documentation
(e.g., minutes of meetings) using fieldnotes
Should
you agree to participate you may do so anonymously. No identifying information
will be collected or used without your explicit permission. You may withdraw
from this study at any time without prejudice.
Observations of the ethical review process by ethics committees will focus
on the deliberations and the topics discussed, not specific applications.
No identifying information on any applicants or information that will
allow the identification of specific applications or projects will be
recorded or used in any way.
If you would like to be involved or have any questions or comments, please
contact Dr Maureen H. Fitzgerald, School of Occupation and Leisure Sciences,
Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Sydney, PO Box 170, Lidcombe
NSW 1825, Australia. Telephone +61 2 9351 9216, Fax +61 2 9351 9197, Email
m.fitzgerald@fhs.usyd.edu.au or Paul A. Phillips at telephone +61 2 9351
9509, email p.phillips@fhs.usyd.edu.au
Any person with concerns or complaints about the conduct of a research
study can contact the Manager of Ethics and Biosafety Administration,
University of Sydney, on (02) 9351 4811.
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