Research Policies

Code of Ethics

  1. Ethics defines the moral value of human conduct and the rules and principles that ought to govern it.  The code of ethics for research is therefore a code of behaviour considered correct for that particular group of people or for those individuals engaged in research.
  2. The purpose of this document is to provide a guide that ethical standards are maintained in the conduct of research by developing general principles which outline the ethical conduct expected of all persons (members of faculty, other staff and students) engaged in research in the University.
  3. The general principles and specific requirements for the ethical conduct of research, described below, may not be exhaustive.  They are intended to provide a general understanding of what is to be practised and what is to be avoided.

General Principles

4.     The following are the general ethical principles which apply to all research activities.

(a)   Research activities should be regarded as a series of systematic enquiries which seek to expand knowledge and understanding.  Every effort should be made to conduct the enquiries in a manner which is free from bias, distortion and prejudice.  Alternative views about the interpretation of the results should be welcomed and treated with tolerance and respect

(b)  Researchers shall: 

i.       assume direct responsibility for the intellectual and ethical quality of their work,

ii.     avoid conflict of interest,

iii.   demonstrate integrity and professionalism in using research funds,

iv.   ensure the safety of everyone involved in the research work,

v.     respect intellectual property rights; in particular, recognize and acknowledge the contribution of others and scrupulously avoid plagiarism,

vi.   refrain from using proprietary information contained in confidential documents or in papers seen via the process of peer review,

vii. accept that their research results will be subject to peer scrutiny and debate,

viii.  be fair and refrain from acting with ulterior motive in criticizing the work of others, and

ix.   comply with any conditions agreed with the research sponsors.