Responsible Practice in Research

POLICY NO: RES-1.2

DATE OF APPROVAL: 19/09/27 (AB1/93-6)

AMENDMENTS: Research, October 1998; amended Academic Board 27 November 2009

REFERENCE AUTHORITY: Deputy Vice Chancellor and Vice President (Research & Enterprise)

CROSS-REFERENCES:

Human Research Ethics Policy (RES-2) 
Care and Use of Animals for Teaching and Research Purposes (RES-3) 
Biological Hazards and Genetically Modified Organisms (RES-4) 
Ionising Radiation Policy (HR-29) 
Non-ionising Radiation Safety (HR-30) 
Ownership and Retention of Data (RES-17) 
Higher Degrees by Research (RES-10) 
Academic Regulations for Higher Degrees by Research  
Code of Good Practice: Research Degrees Management and Supervision  
Authorship Policy (RES-12) 
Public Statements by Members of University Staff and Students (C-5)
Intellectual Property: Ownership and Management (RES-22)

University Activities - Research and Consultancy Guidelines 
Staff Code of Conduct
Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research 2018 
National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (updated 2018)
Australian Code of Practice for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes 8th Edition 2013

Preamble

The University of South Australia is committed to fostering and maintaining a robust culture of research integrity for its staff and students.

The Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research 2018 (the Code; released by the National Health and Medical Research Council, the Australian Research Council and Universities Australia) outlines the requirements of Australian research organisations in relation to the responsible conduct, management and reporting of research. The Code describes the key principles that underpin responsible research practice and the responsibilities for institutions and researchers that are based on these principles. Compliance with the Code is a condition for an institution to receive research funding from the Australian federal government, and is essential to ensure the quality, credibility and utility of research undertaken by the University.

The University has accepted the requirements of the Code and also abides by other relevant federal and state government requirements governing responsible practice in research. 

Policy

Members of the University who are undertaking, managing and supporting research are required to comply with the Code, and the University's policies, guidelines and procedures governing different aspects of responsible practice in research, as well as all relevant laws and guidelines relating to research compliance and research ethics. This applies to staff, students, adjuncts, visitors and anyone else conducting research under the auspices of the University.

Members of the University who are undertaking, managing and supporting research should also comply with the Guides associated with the Code, pertaining to different areas of responsible research practice, such as authorship and data management. These Guides can be downloaded here.

Matters relating to potential breaches of the Code and research misconduct must be handled under the University’s Managing Research Misconduct Procedure, which reflects the national Investigation Guide associated with the Code.