Research integrity underpins and promotes the responsible conduct of research.
RESEARCH INTEGRITY
Peter Mac is committed fostering a research environment that demonstrates honesty, integrity, respect for research participants and end users, safety in research, stewardship of public resources, acknowledgement of others and responsible communication of results.
Peter Mac expects researchers to maintain high standards of research conduct and to foster a research environment distinguished by intellectual honesty and integrity, scholarship and scientific rigour. All researchers are required to comply with the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research (the Code) as well as Peter Mac’s Responsible Conduct of Research policy.
Research Integrity Advisors (RIAs)
Peter Mac has four RIAs located throughout the hospital and available to any person who is unsure about a research conduct issue. The RIA can discuss the available options and procedures in place, including how to make a complaint.
Breaches of the Code and Research Misconduct
Concerns and complaints about research performed at Peter Mac, including published materials or specific researchers, should be directed to the Research Integrity Coordinator, Dr Maria Macheda, or the Executive Director Cancer Research, Prof Ricky Johnstone.
After a complaint is received, the Peter Mac Designated Officer will determine whether the complaint relates to a potential breach of the Code. If it does, the matter will proceed to a preliminary assessment, as described in the Guide to Managing and Investigating Potential Breaches of the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research and Peter Mac’s Management of Potential Breaches of the Code procedure. Following preliminary assessment, the Designated Officer will determine whether the complaint is referred to an investigation, resolved without need for investigation, referred to other Peter Mac processes, or dismissed.
Animal Ethics Committee
The Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre Animal Experimentation Ethics Committee (AEEC) governs the ethical conduct of researchers whose work involves the use of animals for scientific purposes. You can read more about the AEEC and view the Terms of Reference here.
Further Information
Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research
Guide to Managing and Investigating Potential Breaches of the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research