Hopefully you're very keen to launch into your research project and get to the 'real science'. You're probably not so keen on filling in forms or getting permission to do certain things. This section will help you deal with the potentially bewildering array of rules and regulations. They have been developed to protect you, your fellow students and colleagues, and the subjects of your research.
The key message here is that the following issues and procedures are integral parts of contemporary scientific practice. That means (i) you need to anticipate the ones relevant to you and build them into your planning and scheduling, and (ii) in doing so, you are undertaking professional training that will stand you in good stead in a range of workplace contexts.
- Academic unit requirements
- Occupational health and safety
- Ethics
- Permissions
- Risk assessment
- Codes of practice
Academic unit requirements
Each academic unit within the Faculty has specific requirements for its degrees. Assessment requirements and deadlines also differ.
You should read these requirements very carefully. Contact the Honours co-ordinator in each unit to obtain documents specific for that unit.
Occupational health and safety
The University of Wollongong is committed to ensuring the health, safety and welfare of the working environment for its staff and students and encourages all members of the University community to regard accident prevention and working safely as a collective and individual responsibility. In the first instance, students should consult with their supervisor/s to ensure their research activities comply with all relevant legislation and standards. Within the Science Faculty, induction to laboratory safety is the responsibility of the relevant laboratory manager.
You should also consult with your supervisor/s about relevant OH&S procedures in relation to fieldwork.
Students are also advised to refer to the following University of Wollongong web site for access to information and regulations concerning Health and Safety:
http://www.uow.edu.au/about/policy/ohs.html
Ethics
Will your project require ethics clearance? In accordance with the relevant legislation, the University has established the following Ethics Committees: Animal Ethics Committee; Human Research Ethics Committee; and Biosafety Committee. The role of these Committees is to review the ethical aspects of research involving animals, humans or biological matter. Before conducting or commencing any research investigation involving these variables, students are required to submit a research ethics application to the appropriate Committee and obtain approval to ensure that all statutory requirements are met.
Any questions or requests for further information should be directed to the Ethics Officer in the Office of Research. Telephone: 4221 4457.
An important aspect of ethics permissions is that some field and laboratory work cannot proceed without the relevant permissions. It is crucial to identify these issues early on, and build them into your planning and scheduling.
Students are advised to refer to the following University of Wollongong web site for access to information about Research Ethics Committees and Guidelines:
http://www.uow.edu.au/research/staff/ethics.html
Permissions
What formal permissions might you require in the course of your research? This will vary considerably with individual projects, but it is important to identify them early. The permissions process can be lengthy, and it needs to be built into your planning and scheduling.
The following is a (non-exhaustive) list of examples of permissions that may be required:
- A private landowner's permission to access their property
- Permit from National Parks and Wildlife Service or other government agency to access lands/waterways/seas and/or collect specimens
- Permit from Aboriginal landowners to undertake research on Aboriginal land
- Permit from a Museum to undertake research on their collections
- Negotiation with Aboriginal traditional owners to research culturally sensitive material
- Permission from government agency to access archival data and/or confidential material
- Copyright permissions for reproduction of material
In many cases the granting of such permissions will be conditional. You may for example be expected to provide a report summarising your research findings, or a copy of your thesis, to the relevant stakeholders. (See also Ethics)
Risk assessment
In most units you or your supervisor will be required to undertake a formal risk assessment prior to a specific fieldwork or laboratory activity. This involves anticipating risks, undertaking preventive measures and planning for contingencies.
These principles can usefully be applied to your broader project. What things can go wrong, how can these be prevented, and what will I do if they do happen? (See also Risk Assessment in Project Management section)
Codes of practice
Students are advised to refer to the following University of Wollongong web sites for access to relevant codes, policies and information:
- Code of Practice - Honours
- Code of Practice - Teaching and Assessment
- Code of Practice - Students
- Authorship Policy
- Code of Practice - Research
- Acknowledgment Practice/ Plagiarism
- Special Consideration Policy
- Health and Safety
- Non-Discriminatory Language Practice and Presentation
- Intellectual Property Policy
- Research Ethics Committees and Guidelines
Managing Your Resources
Working with Others
Managing your Schedule
Topic Development and Thesis
Rules
and Protocols 
FAQ
Activities
Faculty of Science homepage