Publication and dissemination of research results procedure

Procedure

Intent

To outline good practice in disseminating results of research

Scope

University wide

Exclusions

Nil

Procedure steps and actions

1. Researchers have a responsibility to disseminate a full account of their research as broadly as possible, including where applicable, negative findings and results contrary to their hypotheses. Publication must take account of any restrictions relating to intellectual property or culturally sensitive data.

2. Publication of more than one paper using substantially the same ideas and data is not acceptable.

3. An author who submits substantially similar work to more than one publisher must disclose this to the publishers at the time of submission.

4. Publications must include information on all sources of financial and in kind support for the research, and any potential conflicts of interest. Financial sponsorship that carries an embargo on naming of a sponsor should be avoided.

5. When indicating researcher affiliation, the institution should be shown as ‘RMIT University’.

6. Work of other authors must be cited appropriately and accurately. Using the work of others without acknowledgment is unethical.

7. Researchers must take all reasonable steps to ensure their findings are accurate and properly reported. If they become aware of misleading or inaccurate statements about their work, they must correct the record as soon as possible.

8. Subject to any conditions imposed by the research sponsor, researchers should seek to communicate their findings to a range of audiences, such as professional organisations, peer researchers, policy makers and the community, through various means including media interviews, participation in debates and providing comment. However it must be recognised that in discussing research findings with groups other than peers, and with the media, the scope for misunderstanding is much greater and frequently there is no opportunity to review the report of discussions before it becomes public.

9. For publications within the scope of statutory reporting requirements eg the Higher Education Research Data Collection (HERDC) and the Excellence in Research for Australia framework, the required data should be submitted in accordance with RMIT guidelines, and where possible, a digital version deposited with the RMIT research repository.

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