FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q1 After the implementation of these guidelines, will research that does not comply with these guidelines be prohibited from being published (lectures, submissions, contributions, etc.)?

　A1 Research that does not comply with these guidelines may not be able to be published (lectures, submissions, contributions, etc.). For details, please check the presentation regulations and submission regulations.

Q2 Can I publish the results of previous research that have not undergone ethical review?

　A2 As a general rule, it is not possible to make a presentation because it is necessary to go through an ethical review before the research begins.

Q3 Is ethical review unnecessary for non-invasive experiments?

　A3 is required. This applies to all research involving humans. It doesn't matter whether it's invasive or not.

Q4 Can a research presenter himself become a research subject?

　A4 Research presenters cannot become research subjects themselves because informed consent cannot be established (it is impossible for a person to give consent themselves). Of course, this does not apply if it is done as part of the preliminary experiment or planning process.

Q5 What are the benefits for researchers (experiment conductors) of undergoing ethical review?

　A5 Since protocols for experiments, data collection, and storage can be checked by a third party, measures to protect research subjects can be ensured, and problems and concerns can be avoided when conducting experiments or publishing papers. It is thought that it can be minimized.

Q6 Can I undergo ethical review and approval for experiments that have already started or been completed?

　A6 The purpose of the guidelines is to ensure the protection of research subjects in advance, so as a general rule, it is not possible to conduct an ethics review after the experiment has been started or completed.

Q7: Although sufficient bioethical considerations have already been taken in conducting the experiment, is an ethics review still necessary?

　A7 To judge the validity of an experimental protocol, we need not only scientific validity but also social consensus, that is, validity from the general viewpoint. From this point of view, it is important to conduct checks not only by experts but also by third parties from various positions, and a typical method for doing so is an ethics review committee.

Q8 Is development work by test drivers included in the scope of ethical review?

　A8 If the subject of the experiment is not the test driver itself, such as when evaluating the performance of a vehicle, device, or system, driver protection is an occupational safety and health issue and is generally not considered to be subject to ethical review. However, in experiments that involve some kind of observation, intervention, or collection of personal information on the driver, it is necessary to treat the driver as a research subject in the experiment, regardless of the driver's attributes such as driving skill or experience. Also, if it is difficult to make a decision (protocols cannot be separated), an ethical review should be conducted and a third-party check should be performed.

Q9 There is no ethics committee within the organization. Would it be possible for the research ethics committee of the Jichikai to conduct an ethics review?

　A9 The Society's Research Ethics Committee does not have the function of conducting ethical reviews.