University of Waterloo researchers are strongly encouraged to ensure that they and any researchers with whom they collaborate/supervise are fully trained in the Responsible Conduct of Research.
In Canada, Researcher’s responsibilities are outlined by the Panel on Responsible Conduct of Research in the Tri-agency Framework: Responsible Conduct of Research. These obligations are reflected in the Faculty Memorandum of Agreement and integrity in research administrative guidelines.
Comprehensive Responsible Conduct of Research Training
Highly Recommended - The Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) Canada Education Program is a free online training program for anyone with a University of Waterloo e-mail address.
All University of Waterloo researchers may take any or all of the following courses:
-
Responsible Conduct of Research
-
Includes a module on Conflict of Interest
-
-
Social and Behavioural Research
-
Biomedical Research
-
Good Clinical Practice
-
Transportation of Dangerous Goods TDG/IATA
-
Health Canada Division 5 - Drugs For Clinical Trials Involving Human Participants
MyGradSkills.ca: Includes a module on Academic and Research Integrity accessible to anyone with a uwaterloo.ca e-mail address.
The Research Clinic: A U.S.-based interactive training video on the responsible conduct of research for clinical and social researchers from The Office of Research Integrity and the Office for Human Research Protections in the USA
- The Research Clinic allows the viewer to assume the role of one of four characters and determines the outcome of the storyline by selecting decision-making choices for each “playable” character.
Conflict of Interest (COI) training
Researchers unsure of their responsibilities related to Conflict of Interest can:
- Take online Conflict of Interest Training – the CITI Canada Responsible Conduct of Research module includes a detailed section on Conflict of Interest
- COPE Conflict of Interest Flow Charts
Negotiating Authorship with Integrity
The Committee for the Organization of Publication Editors (COPE) and International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) are global leaders in best practices for responsible authorship.
Across Canada, the most common allegation of irresponsible research is related to authourship.
Negotiating Authorship is a process and may be open to re-negotiation as roles and projects change.
Responsible Authorship Best Practices
- The Academy of Management has an eight-part video series on the ethics of research and publishing.
- Consider reviewing these videos to ensure you are aware of broad publication standards.
- Each short video focuses on best practices around responsible authorship and publication including:
- Authorship
- Plagiarism
- Slicing the data in publications
- Publishing in journals
- Conference papers and presentations
- Reporting research
- Reviewing manuscripts
- Global ethics in publishing
Collaborating with other Researchers? Negotiate Authorship in Advance
- ICMJE guideline for defining the role of authors and contributors
- Authorship Agreement Template from NIH Center for Cooperative Resolution
- Fraser Health Authorship Agreement (.doc)
- Determining and Negotiating Authorship including agreements, score cards and what to do in the case of a ‘tie’.
Other Resources
Canadian Guidelines
- Selecting journals for publication (with a focus on predatory publishers)
- What to do if you think you have submitted to a predatory journal
Panel on responsible conduct of research
Toolkit for responsible conduct in research-creation
Tri-agency framework: Responsible conduct of research
Online modules about topics in publication science and tools used in academic writing and publishing
International Resources
COPE flow charts help researchers and publishers with decision making related to authorship, and irresponsible conduct of research.
ICMJE Recommendations for the Conduct, Reporting, Editing and Publication of Scholarly Work in Medical Journals
US Office of Research Integrity for case study examples of research misconduct activities.
Enhancing the Quality and Transparency of Health Research (EQUATOR)
National Center for Professional and Research Ethics
Additional information available through Retraction Watch