Jayne Van Souwe is the Convenor of the National Ethics Committee.

No. 104 in a series based on the Code of Professional Behaviour

I have commissioned a research company to undertake a study on our behalf. Today I received a phone call from a respondent who had been contacted for our study but by another company. It seems that the company we contracted has sub-contracted part of the work. Can they do that?

Yes, companies can sub-contract work but they must tell their clients which parts of the work are to be subcontracted.

Rule 18 of the Code says:

The Researcher must inform the client as soon as possible in advance when any part of the work for that Client is to be subcontracted outside the Researcher’s own organisation (including the use of any outside consultants). On request, the Client must be told the identity of any such sub-contractor.

To ask Jayne a question, email JayneVS@wallisgroup.com.au.

Please note: Action should not be taken solely on the information given in this column. Legal or professional advice should be sought to ensure no misinterpretation occurs.

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