Institutional responsibilities

Preview image of a computer generated image of a head and shoulders surrounded by computer code.

Artificial intelligence and research outputs – A Research Integrity resource

A downloadable document to serve as a foundation for an institutional guidance document on artificial intelligence and research outputs.  This is Creative Commons 3.0 (attribution) document, so it can be used for the basis to create a resource for your institution, with acknowledgment of AHRECS.  Institutions can buy a subscription to https://www.ahrecs.vip for $350 per year.  A tax invoice will be provided for these payments.  The material has an enduring and non-exclusive license.  So an institution needs only purchase a subscription once and the material can be used multiple times to underpin policies, procedures, guidance material and professional development material.

Preview image for a discussion sheet about the oversight of human research.

Oversight bodies for human research – Human Research Ethics commentary

The fact that a project is subject to oversight by institutional and national bodies may on the one hand increase the perceived authority of ethics requirements and of the feedback of review body, but sometimes it can undermine it.  This commentary sheet looks at the issues and makes some suggestions.  This and other resources accessible by patrons of AHRECS.

A funny cartoon of a research special operations team collecting data from a sleeping participant who went missing.

Chasing lost participants and data – Human Research Ethics commentary

Institutions should have guidance material for researchers that discusses the respectful and ethical way to follow up with research participants who have become lost and the loss of a source of data that was looking promising.  This commentary sheet reflects on the issues and the matters that should be covered.  This and other resources, including recordings of talks, discussion activities and downloadable templates are accessible to subscribers of AHRECS.VIP.  A subscription costs an institution AUD350 per year.  Email patron@ahrecs.vip to discuss.

Group of cheerful multiracial students siting at table and discussing studying process writing in documents and looking at laptop in library

A tracking sheet for research ethics committee members – A Human Research Ethics resource

An Excel spreadsheet to assist with the tracking of the appointment, renewal and end-date of members of research ethics committee members.  This includes keeping track of their participation in professional development for the committee and for members.  This is a useful resource for research offices and the Chair/Secretary of a committee.  Even though this was produced for HRECs in Australia, it can be easily updated for other jurisdictions and standards.

A funny cartoon that depicts the recruitment of PIs like a US sports draft.

Ethical and responsible recruitment of researchers – A Research Integrity/Human Research Ethics commentary

This commentary sheet relates to the Research Integrity and Human Research Ethics matters that should inform our decisions about hiring, promotions and recognition. They relate to more than publishing in prestigious journals and securing large grants. It needs to be about ethics, responsible conduct, collegiality and research culture.  Researchers is can’t be superstars if they are bullies, sexual harasses, charlatans or cheats. Basing our processes those considerations isn’t easy, but it ensures are institutions will become a productive pipeline for future research leaders.

describing the most common cognitive distortions

Acting on ‘soft’ research misconduct – A Research Integrity commentary

In this commentary sheet we discuss what some have termed ‘soft misconduct’ and five ways in which institutions can deal with them. Others have reasonably observed that they are just research misconduct and should be investigated and punished as such.  While this might indeed be the case, until national research integrity codes (such as the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research) list these behaviours as being research misconduct, institutions will need to deal with them with their own policies and procedures.

Cover image for passive-aggressive mischief in a lab.

How to avoid passive-aggressive mischief in a lab – A Research Integrity commentary

An institution that doesn’t have a mechanism where individuate can make complaints/make allegations where the identity of complaints will be protected or a mechanism where individuals can make anonymous complaints/make allegations, are begging for passive-aggressive behaviour, though not quite as humorous as this Don Mayne cartoon. This is Research Integrity Commentary Sheet is available for download by our Patrons.