Home
Research
Research Integrity and Ethics

Research integrity and ethics

The University of South Australia is committed to creating an environment in which its researchers adhere to the highest of ethical standards. Integrity in the research enterprise is foundational to respecting the community’s trust placed in our researchers as they seek to carry out work that can benefit us all. Honesty, accuracy, objectivity and efficiency will mark every aspect of the research we undertake.

Responsible research practice

The responsible conduct of research has many facets. Amongst other things, it involves using good research design, managing data with integrity, disseminating research findings, supervising research trainees well, reviewing the work of others impartially, and ensuring fair attribution of authorship. Learn more about your responsibilities as a researcher.

Find out more

Research ethics

Any research that involves humans (participants, data, samples), or animals (breeding, observing, handling, testing, sampling), needs special ethical consideration. Approval will need to be sought from the relevant ethics committee before you proceed with your research. Any teaching involving live animals will require approval, and some teaching with human participants may require approval.

Biosafety and permits

Does your research involve dangerous chemicals, radiation, genetically modified organisms, biological hazards, or goods that require quarantine? If so, the University can provide information and support services, and assist with applications for permits and approvals. You may also need a permit if your research involves the transfer of goods or information with military applications, even if the military application is incidental to the research. Or you may be dealing with someone from a sanctioned country, and need a permit to do so.

Policies, procedures, codes and legislation

All of the University’s policies and procedures that relate to Research Integrity can be found here. You will also find important Codes and legislation that may apply.

If you need information, advice, or would like to raise a concern about an integrity or ethics issue, you will find the necessary contact details here. UniSA has Research Integrity Advisors who are often the first point of contact for concerns about a research integrity matter, and you can find their contact details here.

Be remembered for all the right reasons

Have you seen these posters around the campuses? They are one element of the University’s efforts to promote a research culture known for its high ethical standards.

Research Integrity Authorship