Research Guidelines
- Responsible Conduct of Research
- Academic honesty and plagiarism
- Intellectual Property
- Obtaining ethics approval
- Research Data and Records
- Environment Health and Safety
- Insurance
Responsible Conduct of Research
The University's Code of Conduct for Research prescribes standards of responsible and ethical conduct expected of all persons (academics, students, technical and other support staff) engaged in research at the University. Staff, students, honorary appointees and visitors should in all aspects of their research activity demonstrate integrity and professionalism; observe fairness and equity; demonstrate intellectual honesty; effectively and transparently manage conflicts of interest or potential conflicts of interest; ensure the safety and well being of those associated with the research; and record and publish their methods and results in ways that are open to scrutiny and debate. For further information, see http://www.research.unimelb.edu.au/admin/res.conduct/code.html
Academic honesty and plagiarism
In addition to the requirements of the Code in regard to authorship and publication, the University's Academic Board has passed a policy on academic honesty and plagiarism, including measures to counteract electronic plagiarism. It includes advice on how to avoid plagiarism and how to acknowledge sources of material. Information is available on http://academichonesty.unimelb.edu.au/.
Intellectual Property
Staff and students are responsible for the effective management of intellectual property (IP), incl. its identification, protection, internal invention disclosure and, where appropriate, assisting with its commercialisation for public benefit.
The University owns all IP (other than ‘scholarly works') that is created by students working on projects that are the subject of third-party agreements with external organisations such as grant funding bodies, or public and private sector organisations funding contract research at the University (subject to the rights of creators as set out in Statute 14.1 and the Intellectual Property Principles). This will not affect your studies or thesis examination. If the University commercialises or benefits from the commercialisation of the IP, you will share any net proceeds of commercialisation (along with any other University creators of that IP).
The University makes no claim on the IP created by its students that is not the subject of a third party agreement. However, students working on collaborative or team-based projects need to ensure that the rights associated with joint contribution are respected. Prospective students should discuss with their supervisor(s) whether their project and the project IP is affected by any third party agreement and ensure throughout any project that IP management is discussed, agreed and documented. For further information, see http://www.research.unimelb.edu.au/ridg/ip/.
Obtaining ethics approval
All projects requiring the use of human participants, animals, genetically modified organisms or hazardous biological agents are subject to review and approval by the appropriate University committee prior to commencement of the work. Approval will not be granted retrospectively.
Further information about research ethics and the requirements of the Human Research Ethics Committee, Animal Welfare Committee or Gene Technology and Biosafety Committee is available in departments or from the Melbourne Research Office web site http://www.research.unimelb.edu.au/ethics/.
Research Data and Records
Both the University and the researcher have responsibilities concerning the collection, maintenance, use of, and access to, original research data/records. Confidential data must be stored securely.
A core principle is that research data and records should be maintained for as long as they are of continuing value to the researcher and in accordance with the requirements set down by the University, research funding bodies, legislation, regulatory authorities and patent agencies. The minimum retention period is five years after publication, or public release, of the research work. In many instances, departments and researchers will choose or be required to retain research data and records for a longer period.
For detailed advice and the University's Policy for the Management of Research Data and Records - see http://www.research.unimelb.edu.au/guide/05.html#ef.
Environment Health and Safety
Students are required to observe the University's Occupational Health and Safety Policy and Environmental Policy. Students are responsible for adopting study and work practices in a safe manner and which does not impact adversely on the environment. Students are also required to comply with all University and Departmental rules and procedures which relate to environment health and safety. Students should familiarise themselves with relevant procedures to minimise the risk of harmful effects of fire, explosion, radiation, biological hazards and chemical release and must not deliberately endanger their own or other persons' health and safety. Students must report all hazard and injuries to their supervisor.
Students travelling on research trips are required to complete a risk assessment together with their supervisor.
Insurance
The University of Melbourne has in force Personal Accident insurance coverage for all currently enrolled students. The Personal Accident Insurance provides students with various levels of benefits under the policy - similar to private health funds, including Death and Capital Benefits, Permanent Disability and Non-Medicare Medical Expenses, incurred through accident whilst engaged in activities relating to studies or research including field trips, including the necessary direct travel to and from such activities within Australia.
Benefits only apply for a maximum period of up to twelve (12) months from the date of injury. The "Non-Medicare" Medical Expenses cover provided do not cover any proportion of medical expenses, for which a "medicare" benefit is paid or payable (commonly referred to as the "medicare gap"), such as doctor's consultations, surgeon's fees and x-rays, due to section 67 of the National Health Act 1953, as amended.
However, in some cases, especially travel, this cover may not be sufficient. It is therefore advisable that students arrange separate travel insurance either individually or purchased on a group basis. Current advice from the Travel Insurance industry strongly recommends that unlimited Overseas Medical Expenses be purchased.
The University also has in place a travel insurance policy covering all students who travel as part of their course, which is made available to students at no cost upon registration with the Insurance Office via the lodgement of the Registration Form at least 5 University Business Days - Prior to Departure This is a separate form from the application to Study Away. Please note that strict conditions apply. Refer to the Insurance website for further information regarding travel insurance.