Research integrity

Charles Sturt University is committed to delivering research excellence. It meets the highest standards for research integrity and ethical compliance.

Responsible and ethical research

We promote a culture of responsible and ethical research, ensuring research follows the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research, 2018.

The 8 principles identified in the Code for responsible and ethical research conduct are:

Honesty in the development, undertaking and reporting of research

Rigour in the development, undertaking and reporting of research

Transparency in declaring interest and reporting research methodologies, data and findings.

Fairness in the treatment of others

Respect for research participants, the wider community, animals and the environment

Recognition of the right of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to be engaged in research that affects or is of significance to them

Accountability for the development, undertaking and reporting of research

Promotion of responsible research practices.

Research governance, ethics and compliance

The Academic Senate and its sub-committees oversee academic governance. This includes the University Research Committee. They oversee research and research training at Charles Sturt University.

University ethics and compliance committees ensure the ethical, responsible, and safe conduct of research that respects human participants, animals, and the environment. The committees report to the Deputy Vice Chancellor-Research and the University’s Audit and Risk Committee.

University ethics and compliance committees

Breaches, misconduct and complaints

Breaches of the Code and allegations of misconduct should be reported immediately and will be investigated accordingly.

The NHMRC’s Guide to Managing and Investigating Breaches of the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research defines a breach as “Failure to meet the principals and responsibilities of the code, and may refer to a single breach or multiple breaches .”

The seriousness of a breach of the Code is reviewed on a sliding scale. A major research breach (or continued and repeated breaches) is considered research misconduct.

Minor research breaches are typically rectified through advice and counselling and rarely require an investigation.

Concerns about breaches or misconduct

If you have a concern regarding research conduct at the University, you should first talk to a Research Integrity Advisor (RIA). They can provide advice regarding the relevant codes and procedures and help you determine if the matter should be referred to the Research Integrity Unit.

You can also contact the Research Integrity Unit to discuss a matter, or if you would like to lodge a submission regarding a potential breach or allegation of misconduct.

Research Integrity Unit

The Research Integrity Unit promotes the responsible conduct of research and teaching. The Unit provides advice on aspects of research integrity and supports the University's ethics and compliance committees.

Contact the Research Integrity Unit

For general enquiries, complaints or concerns around research conduct.

Email: researchintegrity@csu.edu.au

Postal address:

Charles Sturt University
Locked Bag 588
Wagga Wagga NSW 2678