Research ethics and approval process: A guide for new GP researchers.

BACKGROUND: The underlying moral principles and values, and the virtues held as desirable for a researcher, should be reflected upon and embedded in the research. The foundation step is to download the National Health and Medical Research Council's (NHMRC's) National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research and the NHMRC's Guidelines for Ethical Conduct in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Research to use as references.

OBJECTIVE: This paper draws on the experience of The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners' (RACGP's) National Research and Evaluation Ethics Committee to provide an eight-step approach to the research ethics process.

DISCUSSION: The researcher should use the research ethics process as an opportunity to foster and guide the development and conduct of ethical research.