University research policies regarding self-experimentation
To the University.
I would be grateful if you would, if possible, deal with this request under administrative arrangements rather than invoking the cumbersome machinery of the Freedom of Information/Right to Information Act.
I am seeking a copy of any policy documents that your university has (most likely with your Human Research Ethics Committee [HREC], or similar) regarding research involving self-experimentation, by which I mean those projects or experiments in which the only participant is the researcher themselves.
I am particularly interested in (i) whether your university has an explicit policy regarding self-experimentation, and (ii) whether self-experimentation requires HREC review.
Yours faithfully,
Mark R. Diamond
Good afternoon Mark,
This is to acknowledge receipt of your email and to advise that the University is currently in a period of limited service over the Christmas break.
I will be back in touch on my return to the office on Thursday 5 January 2023.
Kind regards,
Lynette.
Good morning Mark,
I have been advised that the Human Ethics Office is currently unattended due to the majority of university staff not returning from the period of limited service until Monday 9 January 2023.
I expect to have a response for you by the end of next week.
Kind regards,
Lynette.
Good afternoon Mark,
I have been advised by the Human Ethics Office that Murdoch University’s
Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) does not have an explicit policy
regarding self-experimentation.
The HREC, when research where the researcher is also the participant,
closely review the merit of the research, as well as the safety of the
researcher. Particular attention is paid to how the researcher can
separate themselves from the dual roles of researcher and participant.
If research is being conducted where self-experimentation is being used,
this will require HREC review if the research would normally require
review if there were external participants. That is, if the researcher is
the participant this will not change the requirement to seek human ethics
approval.
Please find attached a copy of Murdoch University’s HREC policy which is
currently awaiting approval following review. Please note that the only
change to the document is to make amendments to position titles listed at
clause 13, and in the ‘Approval and Implementation’ section. No other
changes are being made.
Kind regards,
Lynette.
Lynette Darnell
FOI Coordinator
University Secretary’s Office
T +61 8 9360 6544
90 South Street, Murdoch WA 6150
murdoch.edu.au
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Dear Lynette ,
Many thanks for the reply and for the information. I somehow missed thanking you sooner!
Yours sincerely,
Mark R. Diamond