Online Research Integrity Biomedical Sciences, Natural & Physical Sciences and
Social Sciences courses: Links to University of Sheffield policies and procedures
Whilst undertaking the Research Integrity course, you will notice that there are a
number of ‘Your Context’ pods highlighted on the right hand side of the course
pages. These suggest that you identify the policies, procedures or guidance that
apply in your own institution, or in some cases, the national frameworks that exist.
This guide has been compiled so that you can quickly and easily identify the relevant
University of Sheffield and/or national context information, where available, for each
of these pods.
Pod location
University of Sheffield-specific information
Module 1:
‘Find out whether your institution gives detailed definitions
Introduction
of 'research misconduct', 'questionable research practice'
and 'responsible conduct of research'/'good research
Welcome
practice', and make sure you are familiar with them.’
The University of Sheffield’s Policy on Good Research &
Innovation Practices (GRIP) sets out its definitions for
responsible conduct of research/good research practice,
research misconduct and questionable research practices.
The full GRIP policy can be found here:
http://www.shef.ac.uk/ris/other/gov-ethics/grippolicy
Definitions of responsible conduct of research/good research
practice can be found here:
http://www.shef.ac.uk/ris/other/govethics/grippolicy/principles/definitions/integrity
Definitions of research misconduct and questionable research
practices can be found here:
http://www.shef.ac.uk/ris/other/govethics/grippolicy/principles/definitions/unacceptable
and here:
http://www.shef.ac.uk/ris/other/govethics/grippolicy/annex/unacceptable
Module 1:
‘Do you know your institution's guidelines and policies for
Introduction
responsible research? Find them and familiarise yourself with
them.’
Principles and
responsibilities
The University of Sheffield’s key policies for responsible
research are as follows:
Policy on Good Research & Innovation Practices:
http://www.shef.ac.uk/ris/other/gov-ethics/grippolicy
Ethics Policy Governing Research Involving Human Participants,
Personal Data and Human Tissue:
http://www.shef.ac.uk/ris/other/gov-ethics/ethicspolicy
A list of further complementary policies can be found here:
http://www.shef.ac.uk/ris/other/govethics/grippolicy/annex/complementary
Key national frameworks for research integrity include:
The Concordat to Support Research Integrity:
http://www.universitiesuk.ac.uk/highereducation/Pages/Thecon
cordattosupportresearchintegrity.aspx
The Research Councils UK Policy and Guidelines on the
Governance of Good Research Conduct:
http://www.rcuk.ac.uk/Publications/researchers/Pages/grc.aspx
The UK Research Integrity Office’s Code of Practice for
Research:
http://www.ukrio.org/ukR10htre/UKRIO-Code-of-Practice-forResearch1.pdf
Module 1:
‘Locate and familiarise yourself with your institution's
Introduction
misconduct and whistleblowing policies, and any national
frameworks or policies on misconduct. Find out, too, who
Responding to
your institution's research integrity officer or other named
research
person responsible for handling cases of research
misconduct (Pod
misconduct is.’
1)
Researchers at the University of Sheffield who come across
suspected research misconduct have a duty to immediately
raise this with an appropriate authority – their supervisor, PGR
tutor, principal investigator, director of research or head of
department. Whistleblowers will be treated confidentially, fairly
and supportively.
Honest errors or mistakes should be disclosed by researchers
transparently and quickly, and in such cases the remedy is likely
to be supportive and constructive. In contrast deliberate,
dangerous, negligent or corrupt deviations from accepted
practices will be managed in accordance with the appropriate
misconduct policy.
Information about the University of Sheffield’s policies relating
to research misconduct can be found here:
http://www.shef.ac.uk/ris/other/govethics/grippolicy/principles/definitions/misconduct
The University’s Policy on Investigating and Responding to
Allegations of Research Misconduct can be found here:
http://www.shef.ac.uk/hr/guidance/academicstaff/researchmisc
onduct
The University’s Student Discipline Regulations and the
Complaints Procedure can be found here:
http://www.shef.ac.uk/ssd/sca/index
The University’s Public Interest Disclosure (Whistleblowing)
Policy can be found here:
http://www.shef.ac.uk/hr/az/publicinterest
Module 1:
‘You can find updates on research integrity matters from
Introduction
the websites of your national funding agencies or bodies
dealing with research integrity.’
Responding to
research
misconduct (Pod
2)
These may include the following:
UK Research Integrity Office: http://www.ukrio.org/
Research Councils UK: http://www.rcuk.ac.uk/pages/home.aspx
Module 1:
‘Some institutions or departments may run mentoring
Introduction
schemes as part of the training and development of
postgraduate students. Find out whether yours is one of
Research training
and
professionalism
them.’
The University of Sheffield runs a compulsory module for all
research students on research integrity and ethics, within the
Doctoral Development Programme. Further details can be found
here: http://www.shef.ac.uk/ris/pgr/ddpportal/reit
The University runs a mentoring scheme for research staff.
Details can be found here:
http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/ris/ecr/mentoring
Module 2:
‘Check online and consult with your supervisor to find out
Designing
what defines 'research' and 'human participant' in your
particular context.’
Research with
human
participants:
Definitions
‘Research’ and ‘human participant’ are defined in the
‘General Principles and Statements’ section of the University
of Sheffield’s Ethics Policy Governing Research Involving
Human Participants, Personal Data and Human Tissue:
http://www.shef.ac.uk/ris/other/govethics/ethicspolicy/general-principles
Module 2:
‘As well as the national rules governing research with
Designing
human participants in your country, are there any additional
rules imposed by your institution or your particular subject
Research with
area? Check online and speak with your colleagues to find
human
out.’
participants: Key
principles
The University of Sheffield requires all research involving human
participants, personal data or human tissue to be ethically
reviewed via an appropriate procedure. The University’s Ethics
Policy Governing Research Involving Human Participants,
Personal Data and Human Tissue provides information about
the appropriate route for ethics approval for different kinds of
research (incorporating national requirements for health and
social care research), as well as outlining the University’s own
Ethics Review Procedure:
http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/ris/other/govethics/ethicspolicy/approval-procedure
Please note that the University’s Ethics Review Procedures are
run by individual departments, within the framework set by the
University. Further information relating to the process operating
in your own School or Department should be available on the
departmental website.
Module 2:
‘Make sure you have located the relevant forms and
Designing
information on how to initiate the approval process at your
institution.’
Research with
human
participants:
Getting approval
The University’s Ethics Policy Governing Research Involving
Human Participants, Personal Data and Human Tissue provides
information about the appropriate route for ethics approval for
different kinds of research (incorporating national requirements
for health and social care research), as well as outlining the
University’s own Ethics Review Procedure:
http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/ris/other/govethics/ethicspolicy/approval-procedure
Please note that the University’s Ethics Review Procedures are
run by individual departments, within the framework set by the
University. Further information relating to the process operating
in your own School or Department should be available on the
departmental website.
Module 2:
‘Your institution or department may also have its own
Designing
specific guidelines and policies on the use of animals in
research. Speak with your supervisors and check online to
Research with
animals: Your
context
find out whether this is the case for yours.’
The information about the University of Sheffield’s approach
to animal research, including its Ethical Policy on the Use of
Animals, can be found here:
http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/ris/other/gov-ethics/animalethics
Module 2:
‘Do you know where to find your national (if any),
Designing
institutional and subject-related guidelines about CoI
policies? All institutions, for example, have a policy on IP. Do
Financial interests
and intellectual
property
you know what yours is?’
Information about the University of Sheffield’s conflict of
interest policy can be found here:
http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/hr/az/conflictofinterest
Information about the University’s policies on patents and
intellectual property can be found here:
http://www.shef.ac.uk/hr/az/patent
The University’s financial regulations can be found here:
http://www.shef.ac.uk/finance/regulations
Module 2:
‘Do you know your institution's guidelines and policies for
Designing
responsible workplace safety? Find them and familiarise
Workplace and
environmental
safety
yourself with them.’
Information about the University of Sheffield’s policies and
guidelines for responsible workplace safety can be found here:
http://www.shef.ac.uk/hs
Module 3:
‘Find out any local, institutional or subject-specific policies
Conducting
regarding research record maintenance.’
Research record
The University of Sheffield’s Policy on Good Research &
Innovation Practices includes guidance on good practices in
managing research data, and a specific policy on research data
management, which can be found here:
http://www.shef.ac.uk/ris/other/govethics/grippolicy/practices/all/rdm
Module 3:
‘In addition to the national regulations given in the 'Useful
Conducting
advice' box, many institutions also impose their own
requirements for data storage. Find out how long your
Research data (and institution expects you to store your research data.’
material) (Pod 1)
The University of Sheffield’s Policy on Good Research &
Innovation Practices includes guidance on good practices in
managing research data and a specific Data Management
Policy, which can be found here:
http://www.shef.ac.uk/ris/other/govethics/grippolicy/practices/all/rdm
Module 3:

Conducting
Research data (and
material) (Pod 2)
‘Find out what the data sharing and security policies are
in your particular institution and department.

Take a look at your own institution's website and locate
any appropriate information.’
The University of Sheffield’s Data Management Policy,
including information about data sharing and security, can be
found here: http://www.shef.ac.uk/ris/other/govethics/grippolicy/practices/all/rdm
Further information can also be found in the University
Library’s ‘Information for Researchers’ webpages:
http://www.shef.ac.uk/library/services/researchers
Module 4:
‘Find out and familiarise yourself with your institution's
Reporting
policy on plagiarism.’
Plagiarism
The University of Sheffield’s Policy on Good Research &
Innovation Practices includes clarification of the University’s
position on what is meant by unacceptable research practices
(such as plagiarism): http://www.shef.ac.uk/ris/other/govethics/grippolicy/annex/unacceptable
Information for postgraduate research students about
plagiarism can also be found in the Code of Practice for
Research Degree Programmes:
http://www.shef.ac.uk/ris/pgr/code/plagiarism
Module 4:
‘Find and familiarise yourself with your institution's policies
Reporting
on authorship.’
Authorship
The University of Sheffield’s Policy on Good Research &
Innovation Practices includes good practices in authorship and
acknowledgement: http://www.shef.ac.uk/ris/other/govethics/grippolicy/practices/all/authorship
Module 5:
‘Some institutions provide policies and advice on what type
Responsibilities to
of issue researchers may advocate for. Find out whether
society
yours is one of them. In addition, if you are called upon as an
expert witness in a court case, your institution should be
Advocacy
able to provide you with guidance on this.’
The University of Sheffield’s Policy on Good Research &
Innovation Practices includes good practices in public
engagement and demonstrating public benefit (encompassing
advocacy): http://www.shef.ac.uk/ris/other/govethics/grippolicy/practices/all/publicengage
Module 5:
‘Find out the rules and regulations that operate in your
Responsibilities to
particular geographical regions and subject discipline.’
society
Responsibility to
society
The University of Sheffield has decided not to permit any
research that is funded by tobacco companies. Other rules and
regulations may operate in your particular subject discipline