Back to the full dot-point answer
NSWInvestigating ScienceQuick questions
Module 5: Scientific Investigations
Quick questions on Risk assessment and ethics in scientific investigation: HSC Investigating Science Module 5
15short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.
What is risk assessment?Show answer
A risk assessment identifies hazards and plans how to mitigate them before the investigation begins. The standard tool is the risk matrix: likelihood multiplied by consequence.
What is ethical considerations?Show answer
Different ethical frameworks apply depending on what is involved.
What is ethics committees?Show answer
Universities, research institutions and hospitals operate Human Research Ethics Committees (HRECs) and Animal Ethics Committees (AECs). No research can begin until the committee approves the protocol. NHMRC accredits committees and audits compliance.
What is conflict of interest?Show answer
Researchers must declare any conflict of interest before publication. Common conflicts include funding from a company whose product is being tested, prior employment by a stakeholder, or personal financial holdings related to the research.
What is australian context?Show answer
Safe Work Australia and NSW WorkCover regulate workplace safety, and Safety Data Sheets (SDS) are required for every chemical used. Schools follow CECNSW or DET guidelines.
What is human participants?Show answer
The National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (NHMRC, ARC and Universities Australia, 2007 updated 2018) is the governing document.
What is animal subjects?Show answer
The Australian Code for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes (NHMRC, 2013 updated 2024) governs animal research.
What is indigenous knowledge and sites?Show answer
Research involving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge requires community consent, benefit-sharing and adherence to AIATSIS Code of Ethics. Cultural sites, sacred objects and traditional medicines have specific protocols.
What is environmental impact?Show answer
Field investigations must minimise harm to ecosystems. Sampling protocols, permit requirements (e.g. for protected species), and waste disposal are part of the ethical plan.
What is risks?Show answer
Caffeine sensitivity (cardiac symptoms, anxiety), confidentiality of reaction data, inducement to consume excessive caffeine.
What is hierarchy of control?Show answer
Substitution (use a moderate caffeine dose, not multiple cans); administrative (exclude pregnant participants and under-18 students); PPE not relevant.
What is ethics?Show answer
Informed consent with full disclosure of caffeine content. Confidentiality of reaction times. Approval from school ethics processes before recruiting participants.
What is ignoring ethics for school experiments?Show answer
Even simple surveys of classmates require consent and confidentiality.
What is treating animal use as automatically acceptable?Show answer
The 3Rs apply. An ethics committee must approve animal research.
What is forgetting Indigenous protocols?Show answer
Investigations touching Aboriginal knowledge, sites or biological samples require specific protocols. :::