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Areas of Conduct

This section provides a map of resources for each area of conduct. Each area sets out training opportunities and requirements, online resources, key sources of support and official policies regarding research activities. 

Research Integrity - Overview and Principles

Research integrity encompasses the manner in which research projects or experiments are undertaken; ethics; how data is stored and results are reported; issues relating to intellectual property; conflicts of interest; and authorship. All researchers are encouraged to participate in training that gives them a general introduction to the concept of research integrity and why it is important to keep your knowledge in this area up to date.

TrainingOnline resourcesSupport & advice

Links for training are on the "" page

  • PGR: Research Integrity workshops are mandatory for new PGRs (Check your Graduate School training information)
  • Staff: Research Integrity training is online and can be accessed at any time.
  • Research integrity is also addressed as part of Supervisor training.

 

Researchers may find these useful for individual reflection or as a starting point for discussion within a research group or new collaboration.

Plagiarism and Self-Plagiarism

Plagiarism is defined as the submission or presentation of work in any form, which is not your own, without acknowledgement of the sources. Special cases of plagiarism can arise by a researcher using their own previous work (self-plagiarism), e.g. where a researcher uses his or her previously disseminated text, data or ideas 'as new', without indicating their prior dissemination.

TrainingOnline resourcesSupport & advice
  • Research integrity workshops (see above) offered by Graduate Schools or E&OD will provide a brief introduction to this topic.
  • Staff  includes a module on these topics

Image Manipulation

Understanding the acceptable practices for publication of scientific images is essential to avoid retractions and misconduct allegations.

TrainingOnline resourcesSupport & advice
  • Research Integrity Advisers
  • Specialist advice and training from local experts e.g. technicians

Publication and Authorship

Conduct in publication addresses the responsibilities that programme leaders have when authorising the publication of results. Beyond deciding on an appropriate place of publication, authorisation should cover the content of the paper, i.e. integrity of results, adequacy of internal peer review, appropriate protection of intellectual property rights. Publication conduct also concerns meeting University and funder requirements for open access, and ensuring there is no conflict of interest in the publication, use of data, or protection of IP. Many journals are starting to provide checklists for authors on issues to consider, prior to publication.

Correct attribution of authorship is essential: the Code of Good Practice in Research has information on expectations for this and use of the CReDiT taxonomy to identify contributions is recommended.

TrainingOnline resourcesSupport & advice

  • Workshops on 'writing for publication' and similar topics are offered for PGRs by Graduate Schools and booked through My Campus

     

     

 

 

 

Intellectual Property Advice

The Intellectual Property & Commercialisation team in the Research & Innovation Services office provide help and advice in all aspects of intellectual property arising from research. Researchers are encouraged to think clearly about IP ownership and potential conflicts of interest prior to the outset of any collaborations.

TrainingOnline resourcesSupport & advice
  • Graduate Schools may run workshops on intellectual property throughout the year and the workshop 'Research Ventures' covers IP in relation to inventions. This is open to PGRs and Postdoctoral Researchers and is booked through My Campus.

Reproducibility, Stats and Research Design

Good experimental design and proper use of statistics is at the heart of research integrity, in order to ensure that research is reliable and reproducible. Increasingly, journals are setting out their own standards for these and researchers have a responsibility to keep up to date with what is expected and understood to be good research practice in their discipline. The University of Glasgow joined the UK Reproducibility Network (UKRN) in 2020.

TrainingOnline resourcesSupport & advice
  • Workshops are offered for PGRs by Graduate Schools and booked through My Campus. Researchers should discuss the most appropriate workshop with their PI or Supervisor.

Research Ethics and Governance

The University of Glasgow requires ethical review of all non-clinical research involving humans subjects, data and materials. We work within the Department of Health/NHS ethics framework for clinical research on humans. We are committed to being open and transparent about the research we conduct involving animals. Research also poses wider social, political, legal and confidentiality issues that must be considered.  Anyone undertaking research involving animals or humans should ensure they are fully aware of their obligations in this area and have read the guidance from their College Ethics Committee.

TrainingOnline resourcesSupport & advice

  • Contact Graduate Schools (PGRs) or College Office (staff) for information on workshops relating to ethical approval processes or mandatory workshops in this area.

Data Management and Open Research

Throughout their work, researchers are required to keep clear and accurate records of the procedures followed and of the results obtained, including interim results. This is necessary not only as a means of demonstrating proper research practice, but also in case questions are subsequently asked about the conduct of the research or the results obtained.

The University requires data to be securely held for a period of ten years after the completion of a research project, or for longer if specified by the research funder or sponsor. The University is committed to ensuring data derived from publicly funded research is made available to other organisations and individuals and has a team of data management staff (based within the library) who can support you with understanding how to do this.

TrainingOnline resourcesSupport & advice

Communicating Research to a Wider Audience

The University is committed to transparency and open communication, including dissemination of research findings to the wider public. Researchers should consider their strategies for this carefully, to ensure they are aware of the most appropriate channels of communication as well as any potential pitfalls.

TrainingOnline resourcesSupport & advice

  • Training opportunities in development (Staff development / Researcher Development / Comms Office)
    • /RIS

Collaboration

Prior to embarking on a research collaboration (even small or informal projects), researchers should ensure that all partners have a shared understanding of good research practice and responsibilities, and that issues of IP and authorship are carefully considered. Many of the resources in the first (overview) section of this page will be useful to stimulate discussion of this topic. Particular challenges may be presented where the research is being undertaken across international boundaries and the Montreal statement will be helpful in considering these.

TrainingOnline resourcesSupport & advice

 
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Peer Review

Researchers should ensure they understand their ethical obligations for peer review, including declaring conflicts of interest, and seek training if required.

TrainingOnline resourcesSupport & advice
  • Contact: