Responsible Research & Research Integrity
Research Integrity
All staff, students, honorary appointees and visitors are expected to conduct research at the University of Melbourne ethically and responsibly.
- The principles and responsibilities that all researchers must adhere to are set out in the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct for Research, 2018
- The University's Research Integrity and Misconduct Policy facilitates compliance with the Code (and its supporting Guides), by prescribing the expected standard of conduct for anyone involved in University research, including staff, students, technical and other professional staff.
- Information about responsible research practice at the University is available on the Research Ethics and Integrity website, and the Research Gateway.
All researchers and other employees of the University are required to report research integrity concerns. By reporting suspected research misconduct, you are helping to safeguard the credibility of our research and uphold the University’s commitment to the highest standards of integrity, quality, and transparency in research.
Research Integrity Advisors provide advice about the responsible conduct of research and the University processes for managing concerns or complaints about research conduct. You should speak to an RIA if you have a concern about the conduct of research at the University. For more information, please visit Research integrity advice and concerns.
Research Integrity Online Training
As a graduate researcher, you must complete a series of mandatory training modules after you commence your degree. Research Integrity Online Training (RIOT) is the University’s training course for the responsible conduct of research and covers the principles of research integrity and the application of planning, conducting and reporting research.
At the end of each RIOT module, you will need to achieve at least 80% on each quiz to successfully complete the course.
For more information on when you must successfully complete RIOT by, please see Mandatory training for graduate researchers.
Authorship
You should discuss authorship with your supervisors as early as possible in candidature. For an explanation of authorship and publication practices, please see the University of Melbourne's Authorship Policy, the Research Ethics and Integrity's webpage on Authorship, and the Library's Publishing and Profiles webpage.
View the University's Statement on research integrity and digital assistance tools.
For advice on using digital assistance tools in your research, please refer to our Graduate Researchers and Digital Assistance Tools page.
Intellectual Property
Prior to enrolment, you should discuss any conditions that may apply to the Intellectual Property (IP) in your research project with your supervisor.
Graduate researchers who receive an offer dated on or after 1 October 2023
IP arrangements related to your research project will be documented in your Letter of Offer.
Graduate researchers who receive a candidature offer dated on or after 1 October 2023 will be required to complete a Prospective IP Deed of Assignment prior to commencing their research in certain circumstances.
As per the University Statute and the Intellectual Property Policy, if you are undertaking research that is the subject to a ‘contracted agreement’, the University will own any IP created. If your research is subject to a contracted agreement, you will need to confirm the University’s ownership of IP.
You will also need to assign your IP to the University, as a condition of participating in collaborative research activities unless your project:,
- is undertaken at a host organisation, such as a medical research institute and they require candidates to assign their IP directly to that host organisation; or
- explicitly concerns Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property sourced from Indigenous community mentors and partners.
If you are required to complete a Prospective IP Deed of Assignment, you can find a preview copy here. You will be able to complete the electronic deed during your enrolment.
Graduate researchers enrolled prior to 1 October 2023
If you accepted an offer dated prior to 1 October 2023, you will not be required to complete a Prospective IP Assignment Deed.
However, you may choose to assign IP you create during your candidature to the University and benefit from the University’s end-to-end program of expertise and support to translate your research.
You may wish to seek independent legal advice in relation to the IP arrangements that apply to your enrolment.
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).
Where to find more information
If you have questions about IP related to your research project, speak with your supervisor in the first instance.
More information about protecting and developing IP and your obligations under the IP Policy refer to Protecting your idea.
Read these quick reference guides for additional information and case studies on the IP issues to consider throughout your candidature.
Copyright
Before you contemplate publication of your thesis either online or in print, it is important that you understand both your rights and obligations under copyright.
Some publishers require that you sign an author or publishing agreement. Before signing any agreement, you should make sure that you fully understand the terms and your rights under the agreement. If your thesis includes copyright material created by other people, you must ensure that you have the right to publish this material – discuss this carefully with all persons involved before signing.
While the fair dealing provisions of the Copyright Act allow you to reproduce a limited amount of third party copyright works in your thesis for the purpose of study and research, you cannot rely upon these provisions when you publish the work to the world. If you intend to publish your work, you will generally need to seek permission from the copyright owner as there are only limited provisions in the Copyright Act that allow material to be published without permission.
Research data management
As a graduate researcher, you are responsible for ensuring your research data and records are accurately recorded and securely stored on one of the University’s systems. Learn about data management best practices in the context of the University and the practical steps to safely manage your data across all stages of the research project lifecycle, from planning through to publication, retention and disposal of data on the Research Data Management website.
Graduate researchers are strongly encouraged to produce a Data Management Plan in discussion with your supervisor(s). Managing Data @Melbourne helps you develop your data management plan and outlines the fundamental practices of good data management.
More information
- Understand your obligations and responsibilities regarding managing, storing, and disposing of research data in the Research Data Management Policy
- Browse available data-related services and support on the Research Data Services Directory
- Assess the sensitivity of your research data using the Research Data Classification Tool
- Find the appropriate systems to safeguard your data using the RDM System Finder
- Submit a ServiceNow request for more advice
- OREI's page on Data and Records
Ethics applications
All projects requiring the use of human participants, animals, genetically modified organisms or hazardous biological agents must be approved by the appropriate University committee before the work begins. Approval will not be granted retrospectively.
More information
Other regulatory requirements
If your research brings you into contact with children, patients, vulnerable groups or sensitive information, you may need to complete a Police Check or Working with Children Check. Talk to your supervisors or your graduate school to determine whether you need to apply or if you have any questions or concerns about this process.
As part of any collaboration in your research you will need to consider whether any Conflicts of Interest. See the Conflict of Interest module for further information .
You may also need to complete specific Environment, Health and Safety training, depending on your project requirements. Visit the Safety website for more information, and visit risk management and assessment page for specific procedures and forms. Also see the University's health and safety policies.
Some graduate researchers are required to complete the Foreign Interest Disclosure eLearn and a Foreign Interest Disclosure Form. If you are part of this cohort you will be sent an email with further details soon after commencing your degree, and then on an annual basis during your time at the University. Review the Foreign Interest Disclosure page for more details.
Insurance
The primary objective of the insurance program is to cover the University's business activities. This includes cover for you while you are on University approved course activities, business, teaching or research activities including any time spent travelling.
You are covered while enrolled up to submission of your thesis. For information on the coverage provided, please see the University of Melbourne insurance webpage.
If you have a general enquiry or need to make a claim, contact the University's Insurance office.
Please note: You are only automatically covered for travel insurance during a period of approved study away. For information about travel insurance, see the Study Away webpage.