Conduct of Research

Students and staff members engaged in research are expected to be committed to exemplary standards of professional conduct and integrity. The broad elements that guide the conduct of research include:

• the maintenance of high ethical standards and intellectual honesty
• validity and accuracy in the collection and reporting of data
• appropriate storage and retention of data
• adherence to the Occupational Health & Safety requirements of the Discipline
• abiding by the University’s guidelines for the authorship of publications
• avoidance of real or apparent conflicts of interest
• the appropriate recognition and assignment of intellectual property, copyright and technical/editing assistance and
• adherence to any confidentiality agreements and contractual agreements.

The University’s ‘Guidelines and rules for the responsible practice of research’ (Appendix 5) summarise the standards of conduct and performance required of all those engaged in research at the University. Please also refer to the “Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research 2007”, which can be found at: http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/index.htm

If you are having difficulty interpreting the provisions of the Guidelines, you are encouraged to consult your supervisors, Postgraduate Coordinator or Head of School in the first instance. The Dean of Graduate Studies and the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Research) are also available for consultation where required. Supplementary information to that detailed in the Guidelines is provided in the following sections.