Policy overview
1 Purpose
To establish a framework to promote sound and ethical authorship practices by Research Workers.
2 Scope
This policy applies to all University Research Outputs and Research Activities.
This policy should also be read in conjunction with the Authorship Procedure, Authorship Dispute Resolution Procedure, the Research Code of Conduct Policy, the Intellectual Property Policy and Procedure, and the University's Statement on Peer Review.
3 Policy Statement
The University is committed to maintaining the highest standard of integrity in research, as outlined in the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research and the Research Code of Conduct Policy.
4 Principles
Authorship must only recognise a significant intellectual or scholarly contribution to a Research Output. An author is responsible for the integrity and accurate reporting of at least their significant intellectual or scholarly contribution to the research.
The University considers that authorship:
- must be an honest reflection of contribution to research; and
- should be assigned fairly and consistently; and
- should be communicated clearly and transparently between contributors to the research; and
- should be approached with a generosity of spirit while remaining true to the policy requirements; and
- should acknowledge contributions appropriately.
4.1 Authorship criteria
Authorship is attributed only when a Research Worker has made a significant intellectual or scholarly contribution to the research and is willing to take responsibility for the contribution, as defined in the Authorship Procedure.
4.2 Responsibilities
All authors have a responsibility to ensure that they follow the requirements set out in the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research and the Authorship Procedure.
4.3 Order of Authors
The order of the listing of authors will adhere to the established norms for the relevant field of research.
4.4 Author inclusion and exclusion
A Research Worker who qualifies as an author must not be included or excluded for authorship without written agreement as described in the Authorship Procedure.
4.5 Authorship disputes
Where a dispute arises between authors, it is to be resolved in accordance with the Authorship Dispute Resolution Procedure.
4.6 Plagiarism
Allegations of Plagiarism will be resolved in accordance with the Research Code of Conduct: Management of Potential Breaches Procedure.
5 References
Australian Government. (2007). Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research.
6 Schedules
This policy must be read in conjunction with its subordinate schedules as provided in the table below.
7 Policy Information
| Accountable Officer | Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) |
| Responsible Officer | Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) |
| Policy Type | Executive Policy |
| Policy Suite | Authorship Dispute Resolution Procedure Authorship Procedure |
| Subordinate Schedules | |
| Approved Date | 24/7/2015 |
| Effective Date | 24/7/2015 |
| Review Date | 24/7/2018 |
| Relevant Legislation | |
| Related Policies | Acceptable use of ICT Resources Policy Intellectual Property Policy and Procedure |
| Related Procedures | Research Code of Conduct: Management of Potential Breaches Procedure |
| Related forms, publications and websites | Statement of Authorship and Location of Data Form (under development) |
| Definitions | Terms defined in the Definitions Dictionary |
| Academic Misconduct means all actions, or attempts to do actions, whether intentional or unintentional, which: breach Academic Integrity; undermine the core values of Academic Integrity; or fail to meet the standards of Academic Integrity. Academic Misconduct includes, but is not limited to: misrepresenting, fabricating or falsifying, acquiring, accessing or purchasing, providing or making...moreAcademic Misconduct means all actions, or attempts to do actions, whether intentional or unintentional, which: breach Academic Integrity; undermine the core values of Academic Integrity; or fail to meet the standards of Academic Integrity. Academic Misconduct includes, but is not limited to: misrepresenting, fabricating or falsifying, acquiring, accessing or purchasing, providing or making available, or using, information, materials, services or equipment that results in obtaining, or is likely to have the effect of obtaining, for oneself or any other person, an unauthorised academic advantage relative to other Students with regard to a Formal Examination, work placement or other Assessment work; failing to comply with examination or assessment rules or directions; or inappropriate collaboration or Collusion; Plagiarism or knowingly enabling another Student to plagiarise their work; cheating and contract cheating; impersonation of a Student or University Employee or allowing oneself to be impersonated in order to gain an unauthorised academic advantage relative to other Students. Specific examples of Academic Misconduct include, but are not limited to: submitting Assessment work that has previously been assessed and counted towards completion of another Course; tampering, or attempting to tamper, with Examination scripts, class work, grades or class records; use of a document, required of the Student by the University (e.g. medical certificate or other supporting documentation), that has been falsified or altered and which results in an unauthorised academic advantage; falsely representing the contribution made by an individual Student to group Assessment work. Unauthorised collaboration on assessable work with another person or persons....moreUnauthorised collaboration on assessable work with another person or persons. A person employed by the University and whose conditions of employment are covered by the USQ Enterprise Agreement and includes persons employed on a continuing, fixed term or casual basis. Employees also include senior Employees whose conditions of employment are covered by a written agreement or contract with the University....moreA person employed by the University and whose conditions of employment are covered by the USQ Enterprise Agreement and includes persons employed on a continuing, fixed term or casual basis. Employees also include senior Employees whose conditions of employment are covered by a written agreement or contract with the University. Failure to Comply with Formal Examination or Assessment Instructions Includes but is not limited to a failure to comply with any published or displayed instruction relating to a Formal Examination or Assessment Item, or with any reasonable instruction given by an invigilator....moreIncludes but is not limited to a failure to comply with any published or displayed instruction relating to a Formal Examination or Assessment Item, or with any reasonable instruction given by an invigilator. An academic staff member responsible for the administration of the Course offerings in one or more discipline areas....moreAn academic staff member responsible for the administration of the Course offerings in one or more discipline areas. An attempt to obtain undeserved advantage by taking and using any person's ideas and/or manner of expressing them in order to pass them off as one's own original work by failing to give appropriate acknowledgement. This includes material from any source - published and unpublished works - as well as one's own work used for another purpose (i.e. Assessment Item, publication etc.)....moreAn attempt to obtain undeserved advantage by taking and using any person's ideas and/or manner of expressing them in order to pass them off as one's own original work by failing to give appropriate acknowledgement. This includes material from any source - published and unpublished works - as well as one's own work used for another purpose (i.e. Assessment Item, publication etc.). Refers to activities that result in the creation of new knowledge and/or the use of existing knowledge in a new and creative way so as to generate new concepts, methodologies and understandings. This could include synthesis and analysis of previous research to the extent that it leads to new and creative outcomes....moreRefers to activities that result in the creation of new knowledge and/or the use of existing knowledge in a new and creative way so as to generate new concepts, methodologies and understandings. This could include synthesis and analysis of previous research to the extent that it leads to new and creative outcomes. A publication, report or creative output, including but not limited to: journal articles, conference contributions, chapters, reports, books, performances, artefacts, patents/trademarks, exhibitions, scholarly edition, software, compositions, internet publications, design, presentations, grant applications, etc....moreA publication, report or creative output, including but not limited to: journal articles, conference contributions, chapters, reports, books, performances, artefacts, patents/trademarks, exhibitions, scholarly edition, software, compositions, internet publications, design, presentations, grant applications, etc. Any person/s involved in Research Activities at, or on behalf of the University. This includes, but is not limited to Employees, Students, visiting scholars, research partners, research affiliates, holders of Honorary or Adjunct positions and research ethics committee members....moreAny person/s involved in Research Activities at, or on behalf of the University. This includes, but is not limited to Employees, Students, visiting scholars, research partners, research affiliates, holders of Honorary or Adjunct positions and research ethics committee members. A person who is admitted to an Award Program or Non-Award Program offered by the University and is: currently enrolled in one or more Courses or study units; or not currently enrolled but is on an approved Leave of Absence or whose admission has not been cancelled....moreA person who is admitted to an Award Program or Non-Award Program offered by the University and is: currently enrolled in one or more Courses or study units; or not currently enrolled but is on an approved Leave of Absence or whose admission has not been cancelled. The term 'University' or 'USQ' means the University of Southern Queensland....moreThe term 'University' or 'USQ' means the University of Southern Queensland. | |
| Definitions that relate to this policy only | |
| Keywords | |
| Record No | 14/2210PL |