Education and training in research integrity

The University of Queensland Research Integrity Education and Training Framework describes the knowledge and skills that researchers require to uphold and promote an honest, ethical and conscientious research culture. The framework is designed to assist researchers in evaluating their research integrity knowledge and skills, and to identify developmental needs. 

This framework was inspired by the UCL research integrity training framework

The various levels of the framework are described in more detail in the tabs below. Links to education, training and resources are also provided in each level. These links will be updated as further resources and training are developed.    

Level 1: Knowing UQ: Values, culture and organisation

The culture of an organisation plays a fundamental role in supporting honest, ethical and conscientious research. This level of the Research Integrity Education and Training Framework requires researchers to gain an understanding of UQ as an organisation, including the University’s, mission, vision, values, organisation and governance.

Education, training and resources

• University-level and local area inductions (as required through the onboarding process)
• Mandatory training for new staff and students (as required through the onboarding process)
• UQ’s Strategic Plan
• UQ’s Organisation website  
• UQ’s code of conduct for staff (Staff Code of Conduct Policy) and students (Student Code of Conduct Policy)

Level 2: Research Codes: Principles and governance

All research undertaken in Australia or under the auspices of Australian institutions must be conducted in accordance with the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research (2018). This level of the Research Integrity Education and Training Framework requires researchers to gain an understanding of:

• The principles of research integrity, as articulated in the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research
• UQ’s framework for responsible research conduct and management, which incorporates the expectations set by the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research and applicable Acts, Legislation, and other codes of practice

Education, training and resources 

• Responsible conduct of research at UQ – online module 
• The Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research 
• UQ Responsible Research Management Framework Policy
• UQ Research Integrity website Principles of responsible research

Level 3: Essential knowledge: Responsible research in practice

An understanding of the principles of responsible research, as gained at Level 2 of this framework, is fundamental to meeting one’s obligations. Meeting those obligations in practice, however, can sometimes be challenging. This level requires researchers to further develop knowledge, skills and strategies to meet their research integrity obligations in practice. 

An important element of developing research integrity skills is to understand the situations and dilemmas that researchers face that could compromise research integrity. This can be achieved through open dialogue with colleagues, peers and Research Integrity Advisors, and through engaging with real life examples of research integrity dilemmas. Equipped with this understanding, an individual can develop strategies to avoid such situations or, if they do occur, manage them appropriately and effectively.  

This level also requires researchers to have the necessary technical knowledge and skills to ensure their research has integrity. This includes skills related to research design, analysis and dissemination of results, as appropriate to an individual’s career stage and role in a research project.     

Education, training and resources 

The key areas of research practice that are the focus of Level 3 are those articulated in the guides supporting the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research, as named in the resources section below. The resources available include practical guides, tips, tools and research integrity case-studies to assist individuals in meeting their obligations and avoiding issues.   

• The UQ Research Integrity website contains information and links to policy and resources on the following areas of research practice:
  • Authorship
  • Collaborative research
  • Disclosure of interests and management of conflicts of interest 
  • Management of data and information in research 
  • Peer review
  • Publication and dissemination of research
  • Supervision 
• A framework for planning and supporting one’s development of technical skills is available through the vitae Researcher Development Framework (in particular, Domain A and C).
• Epigeum Research Integrity Online Module – accessed through Workday
• Research integrity workshops and seminars

Responsible conduct of research – workshop

Research Integrity in HDR training (HDR candidates)

Level 4: Advanced and discipline-specific requirements

Some disciplines have specific requirements related to the responsible conduct of research. Examples include research involving animals, humans, hazardous materials or clinical trials. Further, as researchers progress through their careers they take on additional responsibilities, such as applying for competitive funding, managing finances, and overseeing a research group. This level of the Research Integrity Education and Training Framework requires researchers to develop advanced and discipline-specific knowledge, skills and strategies to uphold and promote the responsible conduct of research. A list of common discipline-specific requirements is provided below in the education, training and resources section. 

The development of personal skills such as those related to time management, self-reflection and working with others can also support research integrity. The vitae Researcher Development Framework (Domain B and D) provides a tool for planning and supporting the development of such knowledge and skills.

Education, training and resources

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research

Research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and communities is guided by a number of important principles and requirements. You can learn more about these at the UQ Ethics for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research hub.

Animals in research 

The use of animals in teaching and research is subject to various legislative requirements and approvals. To learn more about these, please see the UQ Research Integrity Research with humans and animals webpage and UQ Animal ethics website.

Biosafety

For more information on additional requirements for research involving genetically modified organisms, hazardous chemicals, radiation or other biological concerns, please visit the UQ Biosafety, chemicals and radiation website.

Clinical trials

A clinical trial can involve testing a drug, a surgical procedure, other therapeutic procedures and devices, a preventive procedure, or a diagnostic device or procedure.  All proposals to conduct clinical trials require review by a human research ethics committee. To learn more about conducting clinical trials at UQ, please see the UQ Human ethics Clinical trials webpage.

Defence exports controls and security requirements

Research in Australia must comply with national security frameworks related to Sanctions, Defence Export Controls and the Defence Industry Security Program.  For more information on how these frameworks may impact your research, please see the UQ International Safeguards website.

Human participation in research

Research with human participants and their data must be conducted ethically, in compliance with the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research 2023, and requires review and ethics approval (or formal exemption from review). To learn more about the principles and requirements for research involving human participants, please see the following page/s:

• UQ Research Integrity Research with humans and animals webpage
• UQ Human ethics website