Research Integrity
Swinburne University of Technology is committed to ensuring that all research is conducted responsibly with honesty, integrity, and respect for human research participants, animals, and the environment.
The revised Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research, 2018 (the Code) and the Guide to Managing and Investigating Potential Breaches of the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research, 2018 (the Investigation Guide) have been released. Developed jointly by the National Health and Medical Research Council, the Australian Research Council and Universities Australia, the 2018 Code has broad relevance across all research disciplines.
The 2018 Code provides clear, practical, relevant and contemporary guidance that can be applied to a range of different research contexts. The 2018 Code specifies eight principles of responsible research and 29 key responsibilities for researchers and institutions. The accompanying Investigation Guide assists institutions to manage, investigate and resolve complaints about potential breaches of the 2018 Code. The 2018 Code will be supported by a number of other supplementary guidance documents. The documents will support the implementation of the principles and responsibilities in the 2018 Code and will establish a framework for research integrity and quality in Australia.
The Authorship and Management of Data and Information in Research guides have recently been released by the NHMRC. These guides are excellent resources and we are currently drafting some additional material to assist researchers to adhere to the relevant principles of the 2018 Code.
If you are research active or support research staff and students you will need to be across these changes. The new 2018 Code, like the previous one, outlines good research practices that must be undertaken by our researchers. It is a principles-based document covering topics such as honesty, fairness, transparency, respect, and accountability.
The Swinburne Guide to the Responsible Conduct of Research has been finalised. This guide is designed to be easy to understand and to support you in conducting your research at Swinburne in accordance with the Code with examples of responsible research conduct.
The Researcher Guide to the Management of Potential Breaches of the Code is our application of the Investigation Guide and applies to all those that conduct research at Swinburne. Failure to conduct your research in accordance with the 2018 Code is a breach of research integrity and may be investigated in accordance with the Swinburne Guide to the Management of Potential Breaches of the Code. If you have any concerns about the conduct of research and you would like to make a complaint you may contact our office to discuss your concerns.
The Research Ethics and Integrity team will be sending around information about the new code along with the Swinburne Guides with practical guidelines and tips on how this will apply to you and your research. If you would like more information or for one of the teams to come and speak to you and your research team about the new code please get in touch at resintegrity@swin.edu.au or call Ann Gaeth, Research Integrity Coordinator, on 9214 8356.
Codes of conduct for research at Swinburne
Advisers in Research Integrity
Research Integrity Advisers (RIAs), appointed by the DVC (R&D), are available to provide advice on conformity to and implementation of the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research and Swinburne's Conduct of Research Policy. This includes advising any person unsure about possible breaches or allegations of research misconduct. The adviser's role does not extend to investigation or assessment of the allegation, nor are they involved in any subsequent inquiry.
Research Integrity Advisers
Prof Peter Hannaford
Faculty of Science, Engineering and Technology
t: +61 3 9214 5164
e: phannaford@swinburne.edu.au
Dr. Carolyn Barnes
Faculty of Health, Arts and Design
t: +61 3 9214 6579
e: cbarnes@swinburne.edu.au
Prof Thomas Spurling
Faculty of Business and Law
t: +61 3 9214 5833
e: tspurling@swinburne.edu.au
Please note: for guidance as to discipline-related details, such as data management, safety, ethics clearance application and so on, the Faculty/Unit research advisers should be contacted.
Concerns and complaints
If you are concerned about a researcher not conducting research responsibly and in accordance with the Australian Code or the Swinburne Research Conduct Guidelines, please contact:
Research Integrity Coordinator
Swinburne Research (H68)
Swinburne University of Technology
PO Box 218
Hawthorn VIC 3122
t: +61 3 9214 8356
e: resintegrity@swinburne.edu.au