Research quality at the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute
All Baker Institute researchers are required to foster and maintain a research environment of intellectual honesty and integrity, and scholarly and scientific rigour. They are required to adhere to all relevant codes of practice that apply to their work as well as the Institute's values.
The Institute supports the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research 2018 and expects its staff to be aware of and comply with the requirements of the Code. The Code promotes integrity in research and explains what is expected of researchers by the community. Compliance with the Code is a prerequisite for receipt of NHMRC and ARC funding.
In support of the Code and in promotion of best practice research, the Baker Institute has also developed Research Conduct Policies. All staff and students are expected to be familiar with the Code and the Institute's policies.
Our policies are designed to support a culture that demonstrates the 8 Principles that are hallmarks of responsible research conduct:
- honesty
- rigour
- transparency
- fairness
- respect
- recognition
- accountability
- promotion.
In support of these principles, we are continually reviewing and improving our processes to ensure the highest standards of research conduct. Initiatives include rigorous oversight of data collection, validation and storage, stronger governance controls for clinical trials and broader supervision of research projects. Our additional governance processes form a 10 point plan designed to ensure the highest standards of research conduct already exercised by the Institute's researchers are universally maintained, and that the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute remains a leader in clinical research relating to cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
To contact us regarding research integrity matters, please email integrity@baker.edu.au.
Researcher responsibilities
It is a condition of employment at the Baker Institute that all staff must comply with the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research which is auspiced by The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), in partnership with the Australian Research Council (ARC) and Universities Australia.
Depending on the nature of our researcher's work, they may also be bound by the following codes and policies:
Human ethics
- National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research
- Ethical Considerations in Quality Assurance and Evaluation Activities
- Ethical conduct in research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and communities
- Keeping research on track II — a companion document to Ethical conduct in research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and communities
- AIATSIS Guidelines for Ethical Research in Australian Indigenous Studies
Clinical research governance
- Integrated Addendum to ICH E6(R1):Guideline for Good Clinical Practice ICH E6(R2)
- NHMRC Safety monitoring and reporting in clinical trials involving therapeutic goods
Animal ethics
- Australian code for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes 8th edition 2013
- Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 (State of Victoria)
- Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Regulations 2008 (State of Victoria)
- Code of Conduct for Scientific Procedures Using Animals Under AMREP Licences
Gene Technology
OHS
- Occupational Health and Safety Act 2017
- Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017
- Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 2018
- Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Regulations 2017
- Radiation Act 2015
- Radiation Regulations 2007
Open Access
Breaches of the Code, research misconduct, and the framework for resolving allegations
The Baker Institute takes allegations of research misconduct seriously and has formal procedures in place for receiving and managing such allegations in accordance with the Code. The Institute's Research conduct policy and procedures outlines the Institute's policy and procedures for investigating and managing potential breaches.
Research management
The Baker Institute's Research Management team provides oversight of all aspects of the Institute's research administration including animal ethics and research governance activities; research policy; research integrity and research strategy.
The office is also responsible for supervising administration of external, competitive research grants and identifying external, competitive research funding opportunities. In keeping with these responsibilities, the office provides advice and support for applicants to funding schemes by reviewing applications for compliance with funding rules.
Importantly, the office is responsible for managing the Institute's compliance with the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research, including development and implementation of appropriate policies and systems to promote compliance.