Policy, Guidelines, Legislation and Training
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Relevant Codes and Acts chevron_right
Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research (the 2018 Code)
National Statement on the Ethical Conduct in Human Research (National Statement)
Australian Code for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes (8th edition)
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act
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Policies chevron_right
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Committee Terms of References chevron_right
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Training for Students chevron_right
What is Research Integrity?
Research integrity is an overarching set of standards and principles of behaviour in research that have been set out in the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research 2018 (the Code).
The Code has been developed by the National Health and Medical Research Council, Australian Research Council and Universities Australia and all universities in Australia must comply with the Code. The standards and principles apply to any research conducted in Australia, especially in relation to human research and animal research.
Why am I being asked to complete research integrity training?
Research integrity is at the heart of all education and research endeavours at Charles Sturt. It benefits students and staff by promoting and fostering responsible, honest and ethical behaviour in all that we do. Students and staff, individually and collectively, play a critical role in promoting and maintaining research integrity.
As a research institution, Charles Sturt University has a responsibility to ensure students undertaking (or potentially undertaking) research in coursework have a fundamental awareness of research integrity and ethical standards and requirements.
Delivery of the Brightspace subject to coursework students ensures that the University is compliant with its research integrity obligations to the National Health and Medical Research Council and state regulators (links at the bottom) and retains its status as a research institution.
If you are completing a coursework subject that could involve research, you will be enrolled in the subject (after census). Students at all stages of progress of their degree will be included. This training supports the Academic Integrity Policy (see section 22).
What training and how long?
The modules have been created to explain research integrity and key concepts including:
- robust research practices and the requirements;
- expectations and responsibilities placed on those that conduct or support research;
- research with human subjects;
- or the use of animals for scientific purpose.
These concepts all support our new research policy and supporting policies procedures.
There are four modules to complete:
- Research integrity
- Human research and ethics
- Animal Care and Ethics – Fundamentals
- Introduction to Research Data Management
The modules can be completed in any order and each module should take approximately 30 minutes to complete. Completion of modules is due at the end of the session that you are enrolled.
I've completed training at another institution, do I still need to complete training?
Yes, the Charles Sturt training has been tailored to include the specific policy and procedural requirements of the University.
Why do I need to complete all four modules?
If your course has been identified as undertaking (or potentially undertaking) research coursework you will be required to complete all four modules. Research Integrity encompasses human and animal ethics issues and is required to be completed as part of section 22 of the Academic Integrity Policy.
Even if your research only relates to human subjects or only relates to animal subjects (and not the other), Charles Sturt has an obligation to ensure that you have an understanding and awareness of research integrity and ethics issues (human and animal) so that potential issues can be prevented and identified.Students whose study does not directly involve animals subjects will complete an abbreviated Animal Care and Ethics module.
How do I successfully complete the training?
Step 1: Go to the Brightspace Research Integrity page.
Step 2: Log in with your Charles Sturt University username and password (if needed).
Step 3: Select enrol in the course.
Step 4: Select open course.
Step 5: Read and complete each module
Step 6: Complete each Assessment at the end of each module
Step 7: Print off a completion certificate showing a pass mark of 80% or more. If you do not achieve 80% mark or higher, you will need to re-complete the Assessment. If the certificate is not working, take a screen-shot of the completion of Assessment page for your records. Evidence of successful completion is required to obtain ethics approval before conducting any research.
What if I'm on a leave of absence?
Send an email to researchintegrity@csu.edu.au providing your leave dates and you will be able to complete your training when you return.
Is there a cost for this training?
There is no cost associated with completing this training.
Links
Professional Development calendar
Commonwealth
Australian code for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes (the Code)
National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2023)
State
NSW Department of Primary Industries - Animal Welfare
Agriculture Victoria - Animal Welfare
Department of Agriculture and Fisheries - Animal Welfare & Ethics
Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment - Animal Welfare