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Research Governance

At the Perkins, we are committed to ensuring that all research that bears our name and which is funded by money from donors, funding bodies or other sources is done to the highest standards and can demonstrate that we take all necessary steps to demonstrate quality in our research practices.

We do this by governing the conduct of research to meet all community and State and Federal legislative requirements. This includes ensuring we involve animals or human participants only when the highest standards have been met, by ensuring that any identifiable information is not shared or used without express permission, and having a rigorous approach to using funding. Some of the ways we do this are listed below.

How do we manage research?

All research undergoes a process to ensure that it doesn’t start without all relevant approvals. This ensures that:

 

  • Any animals involved in research are only involved once their use is approved under legislation and taking the requirements of the State and National legislation into account.
  • Any participants in research such as clinical trials are afforded the respect and dignity required and that they are free to decide whether to participate in research. In addition, no participants are involved in research before the research has been approved by a properly constituted human research ethics committee.
  • There are enough funds to complete the research.

How do we manage funding for research?

Any money used to support research, either from donors or from funding bodies, is used in accordance with funding rules and contemporary expectations.

  • The use of funds is audited and reviewed annually.
  • Progress reports are provided so that research outcomes are transparent.

How do we manage research data?

Any personal information or tissue samples provided by research participants are held securely and are not shared or used without a rigorous process that involves approval by a human research ethics committee.

How do we conduct research with integrity?

All research that takes place must be conducted in accordance with the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research 2018. This means that researchers have a responsibility to conduct research according to community and contemporary expectations.

 

The Perkins is committed to ensuring that all research is conducted with integrity.

 

The Perkins has developed a research integrity Policy and Procedures to support researchers. This includes the appointment of Research Integrity Advisors to provide advice, guidance and support to all researchers in relation to questions about authorship, conflict of interest, data management and other matters which researchers regularly face.

 

You will find more information about research integrity below.

How do we work with animals involved in research?

The Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research (the Perkins) is committed to the ethical and humane treatment of all animals involved in life-saving medical research. The Perkins Animal Ethics Committee (AEC) ensures, on behalf of the institute and community, that all activities involving the care and use of animals in research comply with Western Australian laws (the Animal Welfare Act 2002) and the National Health and Medical Research Council’s Australian Code for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes, 2013, 8th Edition.

 

In addition to adhering to mandatory legislation, the Perkins is a proud voluntary signatory to the Openness Agreement on Animal Research in Australia. As such, we are committed to:

 

  1. Being open about the involvement of animals in research and teaching.
  2. Improving communication with the media and public about this work.
  3. Creating opportunities for the public to learn about research involving animals.
  4. Reporting annually on our efforts to increase transparency.

For more information, visit Understanding Animal Research Oceania, an Australian not-for-profit organisation that promotes understanding of how and why animals are used in science and teaching.

 

Read our Terms of Reference.

Research Integrity Resources

Research undertaken at the Perkins is often conducted in collaboration with third part tertiary institutions. Researchers are bound by their relative institution guidelines, policies and procedures in addition to those of the Perkins.

 

Please also refer to the research governance applicable at relative third party tertiary institutions.

Research Integrity

The Perkins is committed to ensuring that all research is conducted to the highest standard that meets all community, funding body and legislative requirements and expectations. The Perkins research integrity framework is designed to support all researchers and includes:

  • Four (4) Research Integrity Advisors (RIAs) to provide advice on matters of research and research integrity (link to RIAs, including photos and bios). RIAs will also answer any queries and coordinate relevant training.
  • Procedures for managing any issues related to research integrity (available on request)
  • A mechanism to raise issues (either in person or anonymously) and which will be handled according to published procedures.

Integrity Concerns?

If you have any questions or wish to raise any issues related to research integrity, you have a number of options:

  1. Discuss with one of the Research Integrity Advisors
  2. Raise it with the laboratory group leader or other responsible person
  3. Raise it formally by putting it in writing to [email protected]
  4. Report it anonymously via this form.

If you wish to raise an issue formally, please provide sufficient information to substantiate your claim and that will enable us to establish that there is an issue that needs to be assessed. We may need to contact you for further information or to confirm the information you provide.

Please understand that if you lodge a report anonymously, our ability to follow-up thoroughly may be limited based on the information you provide.

All reports made by any of the methods above will be treated in the strictest confidence and your data will be protected at all times.

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