Senior secondary students conduct research and investigations to answer questions, clarify their understanding of their world and to develop skills as researchers. This includes analytical and creative investigations in all courses.

There are many benefits for student learning in providing opportunities for students to undertake independent research, creative inquiry, and investigation tasks. Teachers are encouraged to incorporate such tasks into their programs of learning and to allow students access to Independent Study Units.

Research involving humans that is done well has benefits for students. Yet, such research has the potential to cause harm to participants. It carries risks. As investigations at the senior secondary level rarely uncover new knowledge of service to society, non-negligible risks cannot be justified. As such, only investigations involving negligible risks[1] to participants and researcher are acceptable. Research that engages with people on topics that can carry risks of harm that are more than negligible are not permitted in courses of study authorised by the BSSS.

The BSSS Ethical Research Principles and Guidelines were developed in particular to support students and teachers who undertake human research. That is, inquiry tasks and self-directed projects which involve other people as the subjects of their research. These principles and guidelines will assist teachers and students to develop ethical questions and methodologies and mitigate risks to the wellbeing and safety of students and participants.

Students have an obligation as researchers to ensure that they take active steps to prevent harm. These obligations are consistent with the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research and the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research 2018, which all researchers engaged in human research follow in Australia. Familiarity with these requirements will prepare students for further study. Failure to meet these obligations will be considered breaches of academic integrity under ACT BSSS Policies and Procedures. This gives teachers an authority to demand ethical work which they don't have have. 

Those obligations are incorporated into the principles and guidelines below.

[1] “The expression ‘negligible risk research’ describes research in which there is no foreseeable risk of harm or discomfort; and any foreseeable risk is no more than inconvenience.” National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research 2007 (updated 2018), p. 13.

The principles (P1–P8) that are the hallmarks of responsible human research conduct are:

P1    Honesty in the development, undertaking and reporting of research

• Present information truthfully and accurately in proposing, conducting, and reporting research.

P2    Rigour in the development, undertaking and reporting of research

• Conduct research using attention to detail and a well-researched and well-justified methodology, avoiding, or acknowledging biases.

P3    Transparency in declaring interests and reporting research methodology, data, and findings

• Communicate research methodology, data, and findings openly, responsibly, and accurately to the reader.

P4    Fairness in the treatment of others

•  Treat fellow student researchers, sources of information, and others involved in the research fairly and with respect.

• Appropriately reference and cite the work of others.

P5    Respect for research participants, the wider community, animals, and the environment

• Treat all human participants with care and respect and consider the needs of participants.

• Follow school policies in the use of animals in research and ensure that respect underpins all research with animals.

• Minimise adverse effects of the research on the environment.

P6    Recognition of the right of First Nations Australians to be engaged in research that affects or is of particular significance to them

•  Recognise, value, and respect the diversity, heritage, knowledge, cultural property, and connection to country of First Nations Australians, and on Ngunnawal Country that of Ngunnawal people, as well as the diversity of all First Nations people residing here.

• Students are encouraged to engage with First Nations Australians who are experts in their field and community leaders to inform themselves about and understand topics.

• Any research that involves engagement with First Nations Australians as participants requires consultation with First Nations Australian community leaders and members, informed consent by participants, and final outcomes shared with participants, with the opportunity for participants to review and reflect.

• Recognise and interrogate own cultural assumptions, and the biases of source material and data, to frame questions and to ensure a consideration of issues using First Nations Australians epistemologies and perspectives.

P7    Accountability for the development, undertaking and reporting of research

• Comply with relevant legislation, policies, and guidelines.

P8       Promotion of responsible research practices

• Promote a research culture and environment that supports the responsible conduct of research.