The Library offers individual research consultations and enquiry assistance to work with you on your research needs.

Research involving human participants must be consistent with the guidelines contained in the Australian National statement on ethical conduct in human research and Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research. Please contact the team for any guidance on the ethics of your data collection and data sharing. Human research ethics approvals must also be gained from an appropriate ethics review body and maintained for all research conducted by RMIT researchers with or about people, and/or their data, and/or their bio-specimens. At RMIT University, applications that are assessed as negligible or low risk are reviewed by the College Human Ethics Advisory Network (CHEAN). Applications that are assessed as more than low risk or other types of research requiring HREC review are reviewed by the Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC).

RMIT recognises the principles of responsible research conduct as established in the 2018 Australian Code for Responsible Conduct of Research. Research integrity means that research is trustworthy, and is honestly, ethically and responsibly conducted, described and reported. Contact this team with any queries regarding training, resources or support on this matter, and to report any breaches of research integrity.

RMIT University supports the application of the 3R principles to all animal use in research or teaching activities: Replace, Reduce, Refine. This research methodology that aims to reduce or minimise potential pain and distress, and enhance animal wellbeing. Research and teaching using animals carried out at RMIT is compliant with the Victorian Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986, the associated Regulations (2008), and the Australian Code for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes (2013) (the ‘Animal Code’) and the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research 2018. Contact the team with any queries regarding the use of animals in your research, or for guidance regarding applications for animal ethics approval from the AEC for any activities involving animals. This includes all research, teaching and breeding activities which take place in a laboratory setting, or in the field.

Research and teaching using genetically modified organisms (GMOs) carried out at RMIT must comply with the Australian Gene Technology Governance Framework, including the Gene Technology Act 2000 (Cth) and the Gene Technology Regulations 2001. All research involving genetically modified organisms at RMIT undergoes a rigourous review and approval process. Researchers must gain appropriate approval from the RMIT Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) and/or Office for the Gene Technology Regulator before starting research if they plan to use GMOs for any purpose, including research and teaching. Contact this team for further informaton on these matters.

IT Services and Support can provide advice on options regarding data collection and analysis, as well as storage options.

This guide introduces open access, its benefits, the different models, APCs, policies and resources, and OA @ RMIT University.