Responsible practice in research
It is a condition of candidature that students abide by the policies, codes and guidelines for research at the national and local level. Some details are outlined in the candidature information you will receive as a new student enrolled in a research degree. The Induction Program for new students provides a compulsory session on 'Responsible research'.
- Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research
- Research misconduct
- Intellectual Property
- Plagiarism and copyright
- More information and quick links
See also Ethics and compliance
Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research
The Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research (The Code) is one of two key documents* which guide and influence the way research is conducted and managed. Both documents place greater emphasis on institutional responsibilities and accountability in the conduct of ethical research and specify the responsibilities of researchers.
The Code was developed by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), in partnership with the Australian Research Council (ARC) and Universities Australia, and through extensive public consultation. It replaces the Joint NHMRC/AVCC Statement and Guidelines on Research Practice (1997).
The Australian Code (PDF 508kb, download Adobe Acrobat) advocates and describes best practice in research for researchers and institutions, as well as setting out a framework for handling breaches of the Code. It clearly specifies what you must do with respect to:
- managing research data and materials
- publishing and disseminating research findings (including proper attribution of authorship)
- obligations in peer review
- collaboration across institutions
- managing conflicts of interest; and
- managing allegations of research misconduct.
More information (Research and Innovation Services website)
*See also the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research 2007
Research misconduct
Research misconduct is a serious offence. It includes:
- the fabrication or falsification of data
- plagiarism
- misleading ascription of authorship
- misuse of funds
- unethical conduct of research involving humans or animal subjects
- other practices which deviate from those commonly accepted within the research community for proposing, conducting or reporting research.
Misconduct does not include inadvertent errors or differences in the interpretation of or judgements about data.
Procedures associated with treatment of academic misconduct in research
degrees, including penalties, are detailed in HDR Academic regulations at
Appendix 5, Academic integrity in research.
More information and quick links
Of particular relevance to higher degree by research students are:
- Higher degrees by research - policy (includes Masters Degrees by Research)
- Higher degrees by research - academic regulations (includes Masters Degrees of Research)
- Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (by Portfolio of Publications) - academic regulations
For links to all relevant research policies see Policies, codes and guidelines