Feedback to Participants

It is expected that the outputs or outcomes of research involving human participants will be made publically available, if possible (e.g., in a peer-reviewed journal, a conference presentation, etc.) as part of the research process. In addition to this, the ANU Ethics Committees encourage researchers to proactively provide a summary of the project results to all participants (not upon request or in an "opt-in" manner). This is supported by point 13 outlined in the ANU Responsible Conduct of Research. 

Section 3, Element 5 of the National Statement states that providing research findings or results to participants can be a benefit but can also be a source of risk (social, legal, pyschological etc.). The approach of communicating research results and findings need to reflect and adhere to the ethical principles of justice, respect and beneficence (outlined in Section 1, National Statement), including taking into account the values and preferences of traditional custodians, such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. 

Key questions to consider when thinking about this include:

• Could the research generate findings or results of interest to participants?
• Could the findings or results be of significance to the current or future welfare or wellbeing of participants or others?
• Are potential participants in the research forewarned of this possibility?
• Will the consent of participants be obtained to enable any planned or necessary disclosure of findings or results?
• Who will communicate the findings or results and how?
• Will the findings or results be disclosed to third parties and/or the public?

It is important to distinguish between individual and/or overall research results and 

(a) how these results will be provided to participants;

(b) how the process of returning results will be managed; and

(c) the risk of the return of individual research results and overall research results