Research Integrity Policy

Research Integrity Policy

The purpose of our policy

This policy outlines our research integrity principles and responsibilities in accordance with the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research (2018) (‘the Code’).

Our Policy outlines the governance-level responsibilities for our research integrity activities.

Our Policy provides authority to maintain our research integrity procedures which are linked below.

Who our policy applies to

All members of the Adelaide University Community who are or have been involved in the conduct of research associated with Adelaide University.

Our research integrity principles

We are committed to promoting and fostering a culture and environment of integrity in which our research is conducted honestly, responsibly and ethically, and complies with relevant state, national and international legislation, regulation and standards, and professional practice and community expectations. Our principles and responsibilities are underpinned by the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research 2018 (‘the Code’).

  1. We will comply with the Code, and adopt its fundamental principles of Honesty, Rigour, Transparency, Fairness, Respect, Recognition, Accountability and Promotion as our own.
  2. By complying with the Code, we will also adopt the requirements and responsibilities of its associated Guides as they best fit our own research environment and structures.
  3. In all research activities, we will be fair and respectful of individuals, animals and the environment, and adhere to applicable laws, regulations, standards, ethics guidelines, funding agreements and University policies.
  4. Our research will involve respectful and transparent design, implementation and reporting; appropriate acknowledgement of others involved in the research; accurate referencing; rigorous record-keeping; and, to the extent possible, open and public dissemination.
  5. We will appropriately recognise, value and respect the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples to be engaged in research that affects or is of particular significance to them.
  6. We will report any conflicts of interest (actual, potential or perceived) or other types of influence (domestic or foreign) relating to our research.
  7. We will be accountable for our actions in developing, undertaking and reporting our research, and commit to reporting breaches of the Code. Such allegations will be dealt with in accordance with the principles of natural justice in a fair and confidential manner.

Definitions used in our policy

Adelaide University Community refers to a broad range of stakeholders who engage with Adelaide University and includes (but is not limited to) all students, staff, and non-staff members of Adelaide University including alumni, honorary titleholders, adjuncts, visiting academics, guest lecturers, volunteers, suppliers and partners who are engaging with and contributing to the work of Adelaide University.

Research means “the creation of new knowledge and/or the use of existing knowledge in a new and creative way so as to generate new concepts, methodologies, inventions and understandings. This could include synthesis and analysis of previous research to the extent that it is new and creative”. (National Health and Medical Research Council, Australian Research Council and Universities Australia (2018) The Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research, p.5 accessed 8th November 2024.)

Please refer to our Adelaide University glossary for a full list of our definitions.

Our Research Integrity Procedures

The following procedures support our Research Integrity Policy.

[Authorship]
[Biosafety and Compliance]
[Care and Use of Animals for Research]
[Human Research Ethics]
Open Access
[Research Data, Information and Primary Materials]
[Research Misconduct Investigation]

How our policy is governed

Our Policy is categorised, approved and owned in line with the governance structure of Adelaide University and the offices and officers listed below.

Policy categoryAcademic
Approving authorityco-Vice Chancellors
Policy ownerDeputy Vice Chancellor Research and Innovation
Responsible officer[Title tbc]
Effective from14 January 2025
Review date14 January 2028
EnquiriesInterim Central Policy Unit staff.policy.enquiries@adelaideuni.edu.au
Replaced documentsNone

History of changes

Date approvedTo section/clausesDescription of change
14 January 2025N/ANew procedure

Note on structures, positions and position titles:

At the time of writing, the organisational structure, positions and position titles for Adelaide University have not been confirmed. Accordingly, square brackets [ ] temporarily enclose position titles in this procedure until position titles for Adelaide University are known.