Ethics Guidelines for Human Subject ResearchInstitute of Human and Social Sciences, Kanazawa University
1. Purpose
The purpose of these guidelines is to set forth items related to research plan
reviews and ethical guidelines for behaviors and attitudes required of researchers
implementing research that involves: human beings treated as subjects and collectionand extraction of information and data on the behaviors, environments and physical/
mental conditions of individual persons (hereafter referred to as “human subjectresearch”) at the Institute of Human and Social Sciences, Kanazawa University(hereafter referred to as the “the Institute”).
2. Definitions
The following sections define specific terms used in these guidelines:(1) Information and data collected and extracted from human beings, including thoserelated to their behaviors, environments and physical/mental conditions (hereafterreferred to as “personal information or data, etc.”) is defined as information and data
dealing with individual thinking, behavior, environments and physical bodies, as well
as physical samples (blood, body fluids, tissues, cells, genes, excrement, etc.).
(2) Researchers are defined as full-time instructors (including instructors at Kanazawa
University’s affiliated educational institutions and former faculty members of theInstitute still engaged in research activities at the Institute), administrative staff,
research workers, students and others engaged in research activities within theInstitute.
(3) Providers are defined as subjects of research who provide personal informationand data.
3. Research Fundamentals(1) When conducting human subject research, researchers must follow scientificallyand socially acceptable methods and procedures, in full accordance with theKanazawa University Researcher Behavior Standards (enacted January 22, 2008).
Above all, respect on the dignity of life, the dignity of individual persons andfundamental human rights must be given higher priority than scientific or social
benefit.
(2) If researchers conduct investigations and experimental research that work tocollect behavioristic, physical/ mental information on human subjects, particularly incontext to the fields of medicine, humanities or social sciences, the researchers muststrictly adhere to: Kanazawa University National University Corporation Personal
Information Management Regulations (April 1, 2005 Regulation No. 367), Japan’slaws and regulations and ethical guidelines and regulations established by theresearchers’ affiliated academic societies and groups.
(3) When researchers collect or extract personal information or data, etc., they are
required to adopt safe and secure methods. Researchers must also minimize any
physical or mental burden and pain experienced by the providers to the greatest
extent possible.
4. Guideline Exemptions(1) These guidelines mentioned above are not applicable to the type of human subject
research in which the Ethics Guidelines Concerning Human Subject Medical Researchor the Ethics Guidelines Concerning Human Genome and Gene Analysis Research1

established by the Japanese government, medical research and invasive research (theresearch which could cause mental or physical trauma or considerable burden to
research subjects by means of punctures, incisions, drug administration, irradiation,traumatic questioning, etc.).
(2) In the event that these guidelines cannot be properly observed due to thecharacteristics of research procedures, researchers shall observe the guidelines ofacademic societies or other associations directly related to the research in question.
5. Explanatory Responsibilities of the Researcher(1) Before researchers collect or extract personal information or data, etc., thepurpose of the research, the research plan, how results will be published, and otherdetails must be explained to the providers.
When using a questionnaire, this explanation may be implemented withdescriptions in writing in lieu of an oral explanation.
(2) When researchers expect or foresee that the collection or extraction of personal
information or data, etc. will be accompanied by danger or any sort of physical ormental burden or pain to the provider, they must explain those foreseen conditions to
him/her in advance.
6. Informed Consent(1) When researchers collect or extract personal information or data, etc., they mustobtain prior consent from providers in written form, based upon the ways ofexplanation described in Item 5.
If research uses a questionnaire-based group investigation or collects data via
postal mail, researchers can consider consent as given, when the questionnaire isanswered and returned. When consent is obtained in this manner, this fact must be
clearly written on the relevant documentation, which shall include description of theproviders’ right to refuse to answer.
(2) Provider consent shall include items related to the handling, publication method
and other items related to personal information or data, etc.
(3) When researchers are requested by a provider to disclose the provider’s own
personal information or data, etc., the data must be disclosed to the extent that there
is no conflict with the protection of personal data of any third-parties. However,disclosure is limited to cases in which the information or data, etc. related to thespecific provider can be identified within the data pool.
(4) In the event that the provider is less than 15 years of age or may not have thecapacity for consent due to mental disability or other reason, researchers must obtainthe consent of another individual capable of making an appropriate judgment on theprovider’s behalf (for example, the provider’s close relative, spouse, child, elementaryor junior high school teacher, or similar individual).
7. Information Management(1) Researchers shall appropriately store collected information and data and researchrecords related to the providers for a certain period needed to implement later
inspections.
(2) Researchers shall not divulge personal information and data acquired through theimplementation of the research without the consent of the provider. However, thisdoes not apply when related Japanese laws or the Kanazawa University National

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University Corporation Personal Information Management Regulations stipulate
otherwise.
(3) In the event that the provider withdraws consent, if there is information or datathat identify the provider, that information or data must be destroyed immediately.
8. Collections and Extractions in the Context of Educational Activities(1) Instructors must ensure that students’ grade evaluation is not negatively
impacted based on the acquisition or refusal of consent in regard to the provision of
personal information or data, etc.
(2) When students conduct human subject research, the research must be conductedunder the proper guidance of the advising instructor, with strict adherence to theseguidelines.
9. Commissions to Third Parties(1) When researchers collect and extract personal information or data, etc. through acommission to a third party, the researchers must request that the third party adhere
to these guidelines.
(2) Researchers shall explain to providers, in person, the goals of the research andother information if necessary.
10. Reviews of Research Plans and Other Matters(1) When a researcher planning to conduct human subject research within theInstitute applies for review, the Institute will review the applicant’s research
implementation plan, publication plans, etc. (hereafter referred to as the “research,etc.”). However, simplified review procedures (including review exemption) to be
described separately can be adopted in special circumstances, such as (a) when thereview of the relevant research requires a particular urgency, (b) when the answers
are entrusted to the will of providers in unsigned (anonymous) questionnaires and theresearch is to be conducted exclusively on statistical analysis of the results, and (c)when the result of the review can be clearly inferred based on past review precedents.
(2) In order to achieve the goals of the preceding items, the Institute of Human andSocial Sciences Ethics Committee, Kanazawa University shall establish the review
committee within the Institute.
(3) Matters related to review procedures and other necessary details will be specified
separately.
11. Others(1) Provision of Remuneration
When remuneration is given to providers in the form of money or goods, theamount must be set within a socially acceptable range. The researcher mustappropriately manage payments and receipts of any such remuneration.
12. Revision and Abolition
The revision or abolition of these guidelines shall be decided by the Dean of theInstitute of Human and Social Sciences, upon deliberation by the Kanazawa University
Human and Social Education and Research Committee’s Board of Representatives.
13. Work Authority

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Related business to these guidelines shall be administered by the Human andSocial Administration Department.
Supplemental Provisions
1. These guidelines come into effect on July 29, 2016.
2. The guidelines concerning the Ethics of Human Subject Research within theInstitute of Human and Social Sciences, Kanazawa University are hereby repealed.

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