Annual Report 2015–2016

incidents is set out in the NHMRC policy on misconduct related to NHMRC funding. This is supported by the
funding agreement NHMRC has with administering institutions.
The code is being reviewed to ensure it remains practical and relevant to research practice. The review
process involves three key steps: targeted consultation; public consultation; and approval and release of the
final revised code.
The redrafted code will be supported by better practice guides, which will contain detailed guidance for
organisations on implementation. The review is being assisted by the Code Review Committee and the
Better Practice Guides Working Group. In 2015–16, an external contractor developed the first better practice
guide, which is about managing allegations of breaches of the code.
PART 2 Performance Report
Target 3: Undertake public consultation on a draft of the Australian Code for the
Responsible Conduct of Research, 2007
Corporate Plan
Undertake public consultation on a draft of the Australian Code for the
Responsible Conduct of Research, 2007.
Work
ongoing
Targeted consultation on a revised draft of the code was undertaken in August 2015, with around
100 organisations invited to provide feedback. The review received 48 submissions from universities,
government agencies and research bodies, medical research institutes and other representative
organisations. Feedback from this process, as well as advice received from the Code Review Committee,
led to a significant re-drafting of the code into a principles-based document.
The draft code is more streamlined and comprises eight principles of responsible research conduct and
31 responsibilities for institutions and researchers. It is expected to be released for public consultation
during August–September 2016, together with the Better Practice Guide on Managing Allegations of
Breaches to the Code.
Target 4: Revise the NHMRC policy on misconduct related to
NHMRC-funded research
Corporate Plan
Revise and release the NHMRC policy on misconduct related to
NHMRC‐funded research.
Work
ongoing
In August 2015, NHMRC conducted targeted consultation on its draft policy on misconduct related to
NHMRC funding. To enable the NHMRC to incorporate the feedback received, and to consult further on key
changes, it is anticipated that a fully revised policy will not be released until the second half of 2016. In the
interim, to ensure that the reporting and management of allegations of research misconduct are managed
appropriately, organisations will continue to be covered under the current 2010 policy on misconduct,
which has had a limited update to ensure its relevancy.
To ensure interim coverage for the reporting and management of allegations of research misconduct,
the existing NHMRC Policy on Actions to be Taken in Response to Research Misconduct Involving NHMRC
Funding, 2010 has been updated.
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Annual Report of the National Health and Medical Research Council 2015–2016