Human Research Ethics Complaints Process
Report your concerns
Human Research Ethics Complaints
If you have participated in research at Macquarie University, or you are an otherwise interested party, and you have concerns about the conduct of the research please notify the Human Research Ethics Manager in writing as outlined below.
Submitting a Complaint
To help us address your concerns effectively, please include as many details as possible, such as:
- The project identification number and title of the study
- The names of the researchers involved
- The nature of your dissatisfaction with the study
* The project identification number, title, and names of the researchers should be in the Participant Information Sheet that you received before consenting to participate in the research
Please also indicate:
- If you consent to us sharing the information you provide with the researcher(s) concerned and, if so, whether you are comfortable being identified
- If you would like us to follow up with you regarding your complaint
- Any specific actions you are requesting in response to your complaint
The Human Research Ethics Manager will acknowledge receipt of the complaint as soon as possible. The complaint will be forwarded to the relevant Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) Chair or Ethics Review Committee Chair as appropriate, for review.
Review by the Committee Chair
The complaint will be reviewed by the relevant Committee Chair, who may take the following actions based on the information received:
- Inform the Principal Investigator/s about the complaint and request further information
- Request evidence that the research is being conducted according to HREC/Ethics Review Body approval terms
- Suspend HREC approval while investigating the matter
- Place conditions on the continued conduct of the research
- Advise the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) of the complaint
- Recommend further investigation
- Revoke approval for the research
Escalation
If necessary, the matter will be escalated to the Director, Research Ethics & Integrity.
Reporting and Review
A report on the complaint and its resolution will be made to the HREC/Ethics Review Body.
Scope of Complaints
Complaints may address:
- Participation in, or recruitment for, a research activity
- Research activities not compliant with the approved protocol
- Research activities requiring ethics approval for which approval is not known to exist
- Misuse of data
- Breach of privacy or confidentiality
The decision regarding the ethical acceptability of human research must be made by a duly constituted HREC in accordance with the National Statement and cannot be overridden by the University.
If you wish to make a complaint about HREC processes for review and approval, please also submit your complaint in writing to the Human Research Ethics Manager.
Breaches of the Research Code
Complaints suggesting a breach of the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research will be managed according to the Macquarie University Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research.
For further assistance or to submit a complaint, please contact the Human Research Ethics Manager at ethics@mq.edu.au or on +61 2 9850 4194.