What is Human Research?

Research Involving Human Participants

Human research as defined in the National Statement on ethical conduct in human research (2007) is "research conducted with or about people, or their data or tissue. Human participation in research is therefore to be understood broadly, to include the involvement of human beings through:

• taking part in surveys, interviews or focus groups;
• undergoing psychological, physiological or medical testing or treatment;
• being observed by researchers;
• researchers having access to their personal documents or other materials;
• the collection and use of their body organs, tissues or fluids (eg skin, blood, urine, saliva, hair,
• bones, tumour and other biopsy specimens) or their exhaled breath;
• access to their information (in individually identifiable, re-identifiable or non-identifiable form) as part of an existing published or unpublished source or database."

The Standing Committee on Ethics in Research Involving Humans (SCERH) reviews all research involving human participants at the University and primarily considers issues that constitute integrity, respect for persons, beneficence, justice, consent, research merit and safety. The primary role of SCERH is to protect the welfare and the rights of participants in research and the primary responsibility of each member is to decide, independently, whether, in his or her opinion, the conduct of each research proposal will so protect participants.  

All staff and students must be aware of their responsibilities and comply with all policies and government requirements.

All research at Monash University must be:

• designed and conducted in accordance with the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research 2007; and
• ethically reviewed and monitored in accordance with the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research 2007.

If you would like more information or if you are interested in becoming a member of the committee please refer to the Human Ethics website, or contact the Human Ethics Office at: scerh@adm.monash.edu.au

First Floor
Building 3E   Room 111
Research Office
Monash University VIC 3800

Tel +61 3 9905 5490
Fax +61 3 9905 1420