Faculty of Science and Technology
Deakin University
The Code of Good Practice in Research summarises the standards of conduct and performance required of all those engaged in research at the University. You should become familiar with this Code and ensure that your activities conform to it.
If you are in doubt about the applicability of pros of the Code, or the appropriate course of action to be adopted in relation to it, you should seek advice from the Associate Dean (Research), Director Research Services Division or the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research).
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A serious issue in research and scholarship is that of plagiarism: the presentation of the work of others without acknowledgment. When it is practised deliberately, it is the attempt to obtain credit which should go to someone else. This amounts to theft. It can also result from carelessness, for example when a passage of another person’s work is quoted without remembering that it has been read elsewhere, or through poor record keeping which blurs the origin of a novel idea. All written work, particularly a thesis, must state clearly and precisely the sources of all information, and acknowledge the contributions of others.
The Guide to Candidature: Conduct of Research addresses further issues about ethical research conduct.
The Code of Good Practice in Research addresses the related area of authorship of publications.
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All research at Deakin, whether by staff or students, must satisfy the ethical requirements of the legislation and be approved by the appropriate Committee.
If you plan to carry out any research involving human participants, you will need ethical clearance from the Deakin University Human Research Ethics Committee (DUHREC) prior to commencement. Human research activity includes surveys, interviews, exercises, experiments, close observation, depiction, use of identifiable personal records, etc, as well as soliciting for such participation.
If you plan to carry out any research involving the use of vertebrate species (including fish) you will need ethical clearance from the Animal Welfare Committee (AWC) prior to commencement.
It is the formal responsibility of the principal supervisor to ensure ethical clearance for each higher degree project, but the candidate will be expected to write and submit their application under super.
No research involving humans or animals may commence until the project has been approved by the relevant Ethics Committee.
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Research projects must be conducted with consideration of the health and safety of all participants and researchers. There are legal obligations on all researchers to ensure that their work does not endanger themselves or others.
Project safety plans must be provided for all projects involving biological or chemical risk, using radiation, fieldwork, or the use of machinery. Candidates should complete this form with the supervisor or be aware of the risk assessment documentation if it has already been completed.
There should be full discussion of the risks of any research and the procedures to be followed to minimise the risks. Formal training should be provided where appropriate.
Candidates who are concerned about health and safety issues should initially approach their supervisor, the Health and Safety Representative (Mr Michael O’Donoghue telephone 03 9246 8175 or email modon@deakin.edu.au), or the Head of School for further advice.
In any research that involves the administration of ionizing radiation to human volunteers, authorisation must be sought in the first instance from the University Radiation Officer, Dr Barry Stewart (telephone (03) 5227 1268 or email barrys@deakin.edu.au), and then from the Radiation Advisory Committee of the Department of Human Services.
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Research projects that involve the use or generation of genetically modified organisms, including the bacterium Escherichia coli, need to be approved by the Deakin University Laboratory and Biosafety Committee and may require licensing by the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator. If you believe that such is your situation you should first discuss the matter with your supervisor. You can find further information about Deakin University procedures with respect to genetically modified organisms on our Biosafety web pages.
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Notwithstanding the academic community’s general desire for complete openness about all aspects of research, in some cases material must be kept confidential. For example, data in the health and social sciences may have been obtained from individuals who only agreed to participate in the research provided that nothing was published which would identify the source.
Researchers must make every effort to honour undertakings of confidentiality. This will influence how and where data are stored and who has access to it. Particular care must be taken with computer data, especially if the computer system is accessible by others or is connected to a network. The advice of Information Technology Services on the storage of computer data should be sought at an early stage of a research project if restricted access is necessary.
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The Code of Good Practice in Research addresses the topic of data retention. Data must be retained for a period of at least six years from the date of any publication based on them, and it is the responsibility of the Head of School to maintain appropriate procedures for data retention and for keeping records of data which are held. Original data and any laboratory logs or notebooks remain the property of the School, and you should make copies for your own use if required.
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All confidentiality agreements and other contractual arrangements relating to a higher degree by research project must be handled through the Research Services Di, regardless of the parties to the agreement. The Code of Good Practice in Research addresses confidentiality agreements and contractual arrangements.
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Intellectual property is a broad term to describe a collection of specific rights which attach to the results of intellectual activity in the scientific, industrial, commercial, literary and artistic fields. Examples include patents, trade marks, copyright, registered designs, circuit layouts, plant variety rights and live performances. The ownership of intellectual property is essentially concerned with legally enforceable rights. The Code of Good Practice in Research addresses intellectual property.
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