Researcher qualifications and credentials: judging appropriateness.

Abstract

Aim: To develop a tool to support HREC to meet the requirement identified in both the National Statement (NS)2 and the Australian Code3 in advising HRECs to assess whether research is ‘justifiable by … skill and expertise of researchers’ (1.1a) and ‘conducted or supervised … with experience, qualifications and competence that are appropriate for the research’ (1.1e). Methods: An analysis was conducted of the various questions asked within the NEAF1 about researcher’s qualifications and credentials. A comparison was undertaken of the information provided within the NEAF1 and that in the researchers’ curriculum vitae provided for all active research approved by BHSSJOG HREC in 2014. Results: A gap in the body of knowledge and processes for HREC to assess researcher qualifications and credentials was identified. It is apparent that there is no clear accepted definition of a researcher and what qualifications and credentials are required to conduct research. Conclusion: The nature of the information allowed development of a BHSSJOG HREC Researcher declaration to support HREC consideration of researcher capacity to meet the requirement identified in both the National Statement (NS)2 and the Australian Code3 and to minimise risk.