Research ethics

Australian research is regulated by guidelines made under the NHMRC Act 1992, which psychologists who do research should know and follow; research with animals falls under state and territory law and NHMRC guidelines. Designing, organising, conducting or reporting research, or work others might see as research, brings responsibilities. Effective practice means: (a) the psychologist ensures the research leaves the client relationship and clients' services uncompromised; (b) research under NHMRC governance complies with NHMRC guidance; and (c) research outside NHMRC governance still follows NHMRC guidance as far as relevant and the code's provisions, such as those on informed consent and preventing harm.

• Human research ethics committee approval and approved protocol
• Participant information and consent forms
• Record separating research participation from clinical services for clients who are participants
• Animal ethics approval where applicable

• Practice-based data collection treated as audit with no ethics review
• Clients recruited by their treating psychologist with no safeguards