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
The University of Adelaide
[1]The University of Adelaide
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Sent request to University of Adelaide again, using a new contact address.
Dear Mr Diamond
Thanks for contacting the University of Adelaide.
Please find below the response to your queries.
(i) whether your university has an explicit policy regarding
self-experimentation.
The University of Adelaide does not have an explicit policy regarding
self-experimentation. The University’s Human Research Ethics [1]website
outlines that, “In general, experiments by a researcher on himself or
herself will not be approved, as self-experimentation lacks meaningful
informed consent in the manner required. However, where the proposed
procedure is in no way dangerous or unreasonable, and where objectivity in
the observation of results can be maintained, self-experimentation may be
approved.”
(ii) whether self-experimentation requires HREC review.
Yes, research on self requires HREC review. The University of Adelaide’s
Human Research Ethics Committee reviews all human research in accordance
with the [2]NHMRC National Statement in Ethical Conduct in Human Research
2007 (Updated 2018) which sets the Australian standards and requirements
for human research ethics review. The National Statement defines ‘human
research’ as any research conducted with or about people, their data or
tissue; and mandates that all human research requires ethical review.
Research on self would meet the criteria for human research, and as such,
HREC review is required
Kind regards,
Fabiano Santos
Trusts & FOI Officer
[3]Legal Services Branch | Division of University Operations
[4]THE UNIVERSITY OF ADELAIDE
G07 Mitchell Building, North Terrace,
Adelaide SA 5005
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Dear Mr Santos,
Many thanks for your detailed, very informative reply, and for the time you took over my request.
Yours sincerely,
Mark R. Diamond
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An FOI Officer will be in touch with you after the University reopens on
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Further information about how the University handles FOI requests is
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