Summary of Responsibilities

In order to meet your research conduct; ethical and legal responsibilities as a researcher you will need to meet the following general requirements and standards. A range of specific requirements will be outlined in your HREC approval/s and confidentiality/data transfer agreement/s.

Conduct of the Study

Conduct the study and deal with the project data only in accordance with the procedures specified in the approved protocol for the research project.

Restrictions on use, access, and disclosure

Only collect, use or disclose the project data for the conduct of the research project and not for any other purpose;

Do not merge the project data with any other information set, including information files provided for two separate projects unless you have approval to do so.

Do not attempt to identify or make unauthorised contact with any individual or to provide the project data to another person.

Do not publish any information which discloses the identity of an individual unless the individual has given their written consent to be identified in the publication.

Disclosure as required by law

In some (rare) circumstances you may be required by law to disclose information. In this situation you should contact the data custodian immediately.

Protection of information

You must protect the project data against loss, unauthorised use, access, modification or disclosure according to the approved data security plan (as described in your data application/ethics application)

Disposal of Confidential Information

You must conduct any tasks relating to the retention and disposal of the project data in accordance with the approved retention and disposal Plan for the project.

Breaches

You must notify both the HREC/s and the data custodian/s of any breach of the approved protocol for the research project, including any breaches of security, complaints, adverse events or other relevant circumstances relating to your research project.