Training and development opportunities
- Human ethics
- Research integrity
- Research grants
- Research data
- Research impact
- Animal ethics
- Gene technology and biosafety
Completion of training in human research ethics is mandatory for all UOW staff and student researchers working with human participants or their data. Evidence of completion of this training must be uploaded when submitting a new application to the Human Research Ethics Committee and when adding a new investigator to an approved protocol.
Investigators who are external to UOW may be required to show evidence of training if it is an application from an external party (not including NSW Health) or if the extent of their involvement is significant. If in doubt, contact the Ethics Unit for clarification.
The training does not have to be provided by UOW but must be demonstrably equivalent in content and have been completed in the last 5 years. The Macquarie University Social Sciences Ethics Training (online module) is accepted.
UOW training options include online modules and workshops. You can choose the option that suits you best, you do not need to do both. The workshop program includes introductory sessions and workshops on specific topics of relevance to human research ethics. Registration for the workshops is open to anyone interested.
- Online training. The Epigeum module Research Ethics is accessible on Moodle, see Ethical Research TRNG020_19. It consists of 8 modules with quizzes, and should take approximately 4 hours to complete.
- Workshops. Introduction to Research Ethics & Integrity: This workshop will cover the basic framework of Research Integrity and how it is supported at UOW. The fundamental principles of the National Statement will be covered with reference to preparing an application for ethics approval. The session also includes training on the UOW online application system, IRMA. At this stage, we are unable to take bookings for the Workshop. If you need to obtain an Ethics Training Certificate in order to submit an Ethics Application, please complete the Online Training Modules detailed above. We apologise for any inconvenience.
- Training on IRMA. Training on IRMA. For video guides, the user guide and information about IRMA support please see the IRMA help page.
Contact uow-humanethics@uow.edu.au for more information or to register
- REGIS training. NSW Health deliver training sessions via webinar on how to use REGIS for researchers. Session information is available on the REGIS website. Researchers can register their interest in attending REGIS training. For step-by-step instructions on how to use REGIS please see the REGIS Quick Reference Guide (QRG) webpage.
Research Integrity training for researchers includes:
Workshops, Seminars and Q&A Sessions
Research Integrity and Credibility nuances – A Research Integrity Advisor reflection on responsible research practices (Webinar)
This session is designed as a an opinion piece to discuss the nuances between the terms credibility and integrity from the perspectives of 4 Research Integrity Advisors. The intention is to shares insights on the links between our research heroes – people we consider to have credibility – with the research integrity values and practices those people exhibit. We hope you will apply this knowledge to promote integrity and credibility in research and advance the culture of responsible research at UOW and beyond.
Date: Thursday 1 December 2022
Time: 12 noon – 1pm
Past Workshops, Seminars and Q&A Sessions
Mythbuster – Peer Reviewing with Integrity
This session was held on 4 August 2022 – a recording and copy of the slides can be found in the Mythbuster sessions folder on the self-enrol Research Integrity Moodle site
Additional resources on Peer Review:
- NHMRC Principles of Peer Review
- Web of Science Academy: An Introduction to Peer Review (also available are courses on Co-Reviewing and Mentoring)
- Wiley Peer Review Resources
- A list of journal articles is contained within the slides. The articles were used to inform the content for the webinar and are provided for further reading on this topic.
Mythbuster – Open Access and Responsible Research
This session was held on 7 April 2022 – a recording a copy of the slides can be found in the Mythbuster sessions folder on the self-enrol Research Integrity Moodle site.
Additional Resources on Open Access:
- UOW Library Guide – Discoverability and Open Access
- UOW Open Access Policy
- Overview of Open Access Journal Publishing
- Information on Creative Commons Licenses
Mythbuster – Research Integrity for Supervisors and Aspiring Supervisors
This session was held on 4 August 2021 – a recording a copy of the slides can be found in the Mythbuster sessions folder on the self-enrol Research Integrity Moodle site.
Mythbuster – Research Integrity and Data Management
This session was held on 18 August 2021 - a recording and copy of the slides can be found in the Mythbuster sessions folder on the self-enrol Research Integrity Moodle site.
Mythbuster – Predatory Publishing and Conferences
This session was held on 13 September 2021 - a recording and copy of the slides can be found in the Mythbuster sessions folder on the self-enrol Research Integrity Moodle site.
International Collaborations (Webinar)
This session was held on 30 November 2021 - a recording and copy of the slides can be found in the International Collaborations folder on the self-enrol Research Integrity Moodle site.
If you have a Research Integrity training need in your area, please contact uow-researchintegrity@uow.edu.au so we can discuss your needs.
Online Training
There are two Research Integrity Moodle sites offering different experiences and content. Depending on your training needs, background and current knowledge you could explore both or you may decide to do one or the other. Both are applicable to all researchers (staff and students).
- Moodle – Epigeum Research Integrity: The content within this site is based on the Australian governance framework, referencing the NHMRC code and guidelines throughout the modules. A quiz is available for each of the 13 modules with a certificate available on successful completion of all 13 quizzes. This certificate can be used as evidence of completion of recognised training in RI.
- Moodle/Introduction to Research Integrity and Ethics (TRNG044_17): This online training module outlines Research Integrity concepts for researchers (staff and students) in stand-alone modules for:
- Biomedical Sciences
- Natural and Physical sciences
- Engineering and Technology
- Social and Behavioural Sciences
- Art and Humanities
The Research Services Office will happily provide staff and students with on‑demand face to face training on Research Integrity, Ethics both Human and Animal and Defence Export Controls.
Contact the Research Integrity Officer on research-integrity@uow.edu.au to discuss your training needs.
External Resources
Watch On Being a Scientist (2016), produced by Leiden University and Crochetta Films and think about the difficult dilemmas you, as a researcher, may be confronted with as you progress through your career and how the decisions you make can impact on you later on in life.
The USA Office of Research Integrity offers interactive online training in research integrity for laboratory and research clinic based researchers.
Other useful resources
The following publications may be of use to you to further your knowledge on research misconduct issues:
- Misconduct of Others: Prevention Techniques for Researchers, Association for Psychological Science
- Avoiding Plagiarism, Self-plagiarism, and Other Questionable Writing Practices: A Guide to Ethical Writing, St. Johns University
- Plagiarism and Punishment, British Medical Journal 2007
- Complainant Issues in Research Misconduct: The Office of Research Integrity Experience, Experimental Biology and Medicine
If you would like to add to this list a publication that you feel may be of use to researchers please email research-integrity@uow.edu.au
Workshops
Register to attend the Research Grant Workshops coordinated by PODS. UOW staff only.
Presentations
Research grants presentations (UOW staff only)
Includes:
- Research grant writing and grant management presentations
- ARC grants presentations
- Presentations from visiting ARC and NHMRC members
Research Data Training
Research data training is available to all researchers though Moodle.
It is recommended that HDR and Honours students as well as new researchers to UOW complete this training so that they are up to date with Research Data at UOW.
Research impact training is coordinated by PODS.
Presentations
- Research impact presentations (UOW staff only)
- Research impact presentations for grants (UOW staff only). Includes:
- Research grant writing and grant management presentations
- ARC grants presentations
- Presentations from visiting ARC and NHMRC members
New Researchers
All new UOW researchers are now required to complete the ANZCAART (Australian and New Zealand council for the Care of Animals in Research and Teaching) ComPASS Animal Welfare Training Modules 1 to 8 for preliminary training.
In addition new researchers will attend a face to face or online seminar. Seminars run in March and August each year. ComPASS training is required prior to commencing any animal work.
Refresher and Supervisor training
Existing researchers that have previously completed either UOW or another institution Animal Ethics training module are required to complete refresher training every 3 years. The ANZCAART (Australian and New Zealand council for the Care of Animals in Research and Teaching) ComPASS Animal Welfare Training Modules 1 to 8 are now required for all researchers and supervisors. Additional training in UOW specific procedures is also required and a new module will be available in early 2021.
Practical training: Research specific animal handling and procedure training is provided on demand in the UOW Animal Facilities. Please consult the UOW Animal Research Training Guidelines for details.
Please send your ComPASS certificate and register for UOW specific modules/seminars by email to uow-animalethics@uow.edu.au
Introductory biosafety course
- The compulsory biosafety induction course is available online. You can self-enrol using the enrolment key ‘biosafety’.
- Upon completion please send your biosafety and GMO certificates via email to uow-biosafety@uow.edu.au
Refresher training
Researchers that have previously completed the biosafety induction course and the GMO course will need to undergo refresher training every 5 years.
Please send your biosafety and GMO certificates via email to uow-biosafety@uow.edu.au
Other training resources
- Working safety in a Class II Biological Safety Cabinet - an introductory training video based on AS2647 prepared by the Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory.
- Biohazard Laboratory Practice - an introduction to working safely in PC2 facilities, prepared by the University of Melbourne.
- SIA Webinar: Introduction to Biosafety - biosafety information from Dr Amanda Jones from the University of Queensland.