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Research integrity and ethics
As a research student of the University of Sydney, you are expected to contribute to a culture of responsible research.
Our Research Code of Conduct (pdf, 484KB) outlines the University’s policy for responsible research. Your responsibilities as a researcher include:
- honesty and integrity
- respect for human research participants, animals and the environment
- good management of public resources used to conduct research
- appropriate acknowledgement of the role of others in research
- responsible communication of research results.
It’s important that you understand any ethical implications, regulations or statutory guidelines that relate to your proposed research. The Ethics and integrity section of the intranet provides key information and advice on these matters.
Research Integrity – Fostering a culture of research excellence at Sydney
Our researchers share their experiences with conducting responsible research and who you can contact if you have any questions.
Research integrity
The Research Integrity team provides advice and support to researchers to ensure all research at the University complies with relevant government acts and codes of practice. They manage the process relating to any complaints or allegations of research misconduct. You can find information on codes and guidelines that may affect your research on our research integrity site.
Ethics
Depending on the nature of your research, you may need to gain approval from an ethics review body before you commence your research.
If you are undertaking human research, the human ethics team can provide support and information about approvals required and the application process.
Human research is generally any project where the researcher:
- administers questionnaires or surveys
- conducts interviews or focus groups
- investigates or observes human behaviour
- uses data
- conducts any experimentation involving humans.
If your research involves the use of animals, the animal ethics team can support you through the relevant approval process.
Animal research is generally any project involving live animals. This includes observational studies of animals in their natural environment.
You need to allow plenty of time to obtain ethics approval. The committee responsible for giving approval meet regularly to review submissions. You may also be required to make small adjustments and resubmissions to the relevant committee before approval is given.
Research integrity and ethics training
The research integrity and ethics teams provide a range of online training modules including:
- The Responsible Research Practice training module - all students involved in research are automatically enrolled for this module.
- The Human Ethics General and Health and Medical training modules
- The Animal Ethics training module which is designed to complement the Introduction to Animal Research (ITAR) course
These modules can be accessed online, either through Canvas or Workday.
Depending on your faculty or school requirements, you may be automatically enrolled in Human and Animal Ethics training modules. If you are not automatically enrolled, you can request enrolment on the ‘Courses’ page of Canvas.
Clinical trials
Clinical trials conducted in Australia have significant regulatory requirements. You will need authorisation for any clinical trials you conduct as part of your research.
The University’s Clinical Trial Governance office is responsible for assessing the suitability of clinical trials and can provide you with information about what is required.
Academic Integrity
You can find information and resources on academic integrity. This includes our code of conduct for students, academic honesty and matters relating to undergraduate and postgraduate coursework students.
Last updated: 01 November 2023
