"Research integrity at The Cairnmillar Institute means taking all steps necessary to ensure our research is trustworthy."
Our research policies
Research integrity requires the consistent adherence to a set of principles that underpin excellence in research at the Cairnmillar Institute. All research conducted by and on behalf of The Cairnmillar Institute is conducted in a manner of honesty, fairness, integrity and with rigour, ensuring compliance with all relevant state and national legislation and any regulatory body requirements for safety. All research involving humans must meet appropriate scholarly or scientific standards, and those conducting research are trained and qualified in appropriate research methodologies and applications, or in the case of being trained, are suitably supervised.
The Cairnmillar Institute recognises, supports and applies the principles of responsible research conduct as outlined by the NHMRC in the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research (2018; the Code)
We are committed to the principles in the Code as set out in out in our Research Policies.
Our hREC
The function of the Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) is to oversee all ethical matters related to human research at the Cairnmillar Institute. The Cairnmillar HREC ensures that any human research conducted by Cairnmillar Institute staff, students or associates is designed and conducted in accordance with the Code and is ethically reviewed and monitored in accordance with the NHMRC National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research(2018). (NHMRC HREC ID: EC00452).
HREC assesses research ethics application and considers the ethical implications of proposed research projects involving human subjects. HREC are responsible for:
- Ensuring any human research is conducted in accordance with the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2018) or any successor statement
- Ensuring ethical standards are maintained in human research projects in order to protect the interests of the research subjects, the investigator/s, the Cairnmillar Institute, and the general community
- Ensuring the security, storage and disposal of confidential data collected during the conduct of research involving human subjects
- Promoting understanding within the Cairnillar Institute and the broader community of the ethical issues raised by research, teaching and related academic activities
- providing annual reports to the Cairnmillar Council and the NHMRC
- Establishing, implementing and reviewing procedures for evaluating, certifying and monitoring the acceptable ethical conduct and progress of human research conducted by staff and/or students of the Institute both on and outside the campus, using the Institute’s premises, equipment, name or resources (human and physical) and other persons, who are not staff and/or students of the Institute, using Institute premises, equipment, name or resources (human and physical).
- Maintaining a record of all research protocols received and reviewed
- Ensuring that the conduct of research approved by the HREC is appropriately monitored
- Determining its own procedures and establish its own working parties as necessary with respect to any NHMRC stipulations
Research integrity concerns
The Cairnmillar Institute takes seriously the integrity of its research. If you would like to raise a concern about the integrity of research at the Cairnmillar Institute, please contact the Chair of the Research and Research Training Committee, Professor Peter Norton at peter.norton@cairnmillar.edu.au to discuss the matter.
Professor Peter Norton can provide advice about responsible research, discuss concerns and report a suspected breach. The Cairnmillar Institute's Research Integrity Breach Procedures is contained in our Research Integrity and Conduct Policy and Procedures document.