G'Day,

I'm currently cobbling together a research proposal for a MSc starting
(funding bodies and caffeine intake willing) next year.

I'm thinking about attaching the statement below as an appendix to the main
proposal. I would like to hear people's comments. Anyone see anything
totally impractical or contradictory in the statement? (esp. any legal
hassles?) Is this the norm anywhere (i.e. in any Government agency or
university?)?

Thanks
Corey
----------

"Home range, foraging ecology, habitat selection and use,
and breeding status of the Red Goshawk
Erythrotriorchis radiatus in North Queensland."

A Research Project Proposal for a Master of Science;
as part (10%) credit toward a Post-graduate Diploma in Science
(Conservation Biology)
from the University of Queensland.

M. Corey Watts B.Sc.
November 1998
----

Appendix 2

Statement of Ethical Research Conduct
 
1. All practical and field aspects of this project will be tailored to
comply with University Animal Experimentation Ethics Committee directives.
 
2. In addition, extra care will be taken to - as far as possible -
minimise impact to Erythrotriorchis radiatus, other raptors and all other
elements of the biotic community en route to, from or in the study site.
 
3. All activities which directly interfere with E. radiatus shall have a
definite scientific purpose. Common sense and a reasonable empathy with all
animals involved in the study (including lures) will be employed at all times.
 
4. I shall endeavour to familiarise myself with all recognised procedures
for trapping, handling, marking, tracking and observing raptors. No
procedure will be employed with which I am unfamiliar and which is likely
incur unnecessary harm.
 
5. With respect to principle 4; I shall rely on the advice of those with
more experience in the field than myself.
 
6. In the extreme event that I discover an animal which is injured or
infirm and beyond reasonable hope of recovery, I will take full
responsibility for euthanasing the animal with the most humane means at my
disposal. (This extends to both native and non-native species.)
 
7. Care will be taken not to disclose the location of raptor nest-sites, or
any other organism of conservation significance, to any persons outside of
the Recovery Programme.
 
8. I shall be sensitive to the views of the local human community;
respecting the rights of the Traditional Owners, non-indigenous Private
Land-holders and the Crown as these relate to my field work.
 
9. If previously unrecorded Aboriginal or other heritage areas (including
palæontological sites) are discovered, their location shall be recorded
and passed on to the relevant authorities. No artefacts shall be removed
except where these are required for confirmation of authenticity;
where-after they shall be passed on to the relevant authorities.
  
10. These standards will, of course, extend to volunteers under my
supervision.

Michael Corey Watts
St Lucia
7th of November 1998
 

---------------------------------------------------------
Corey Watts (PGDipSc Student)
Centre for Conservation Biology
The University of Queensland
St Lucia, Qld, AUSTRALIA 4068.

e-mail: [log in to unmask]
Telephone: +61 7 3365 2475
Facsimile: +61 7 3365 1655
CCB Website: http://www.ccb.uq.edu.au/website

"Wings and feathers on the crying, mysterious Ages...
...all that is right, all that is good."
D.H. Lawrence, "The Wild Common."







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