Terms and definitions

Making up data, source material, methodologies or findings, including graphs and images. 

Manipulating, changing or omitting data, source material, methodologies or findings, including graphs and images, without acknowledgement and which results in inaccurate findings or conclusions. 

Presenting and using another’s published or unpublished work, including theories, concepts, data, source material, methodologies or findings, including graphs and images, as one’s own, without appropriate referencing and without permission when permission is required. 

Categories of plagiarism include, but are not limited to:

• Literal copying: Reproducing word for word, in whole or in part, without permission and acknowledgement of the original source 
• Substantial copying: Capturing the essence of another’s work, in whole or in part, without permission and acknowledgement of the original source. (This can include copying of research materials, processes, tables or equipment) 
• Paraphrasing: Reproducing the essential meaning, form and/or progression of someone else’s ideas without permission and without proper acknowledgement of the source 
• Text-recycling/duplicate submission: Reproducing portions of one’s own work in a paper and submitting it for publication as an entirely new paper, without cross-referencing or acknowledging earlier publication(s) 
• Un-published plagiarism: Unattributed use of privileged information or materials obtained through confidential peer review of research proposals and manuscripts

The republication of one’s own previously published work or part thereof, or data, in the same or another language, without adequate acknowledgement of the source or justification. 

To be named as an author of a research output:

• a person must have made a significant intellectual, creative or scholarly contribution to the research described in the research output
• be willing to take responsibility for their contribution, and agree to be listed as an author
• not be named as an author solely on the basis of being the supervisor of the researcher or student undertaking the research, or the leader of the research group, where a creative and significant contribution has not been made to the research
• not be solely involved in contributing to writing the publication, unless contributing to critically revising the interpretation

Inaccurate attribution of authorship including attribution of authorship to persons other than those who have contributed sufficiently to take responsibility for the intellectual content, or agreeing to be listed as author on a publication for which one made little or no material contribution.  

Failure to appropriately recognise contributions of others in a manner consistent with their respective contribution and authorship policies of relevant publications. 

Where a researcher has a real, perceived or potential opportunity to prefer their own interest, or those of any other person or organisation, to the interests of the University and their professional responsibilities. This divergence also suggests a level of undue bias or lack of objectivity. Conflicts of interest are often thought of in financial terms, but can take almost any form including familial, scholarly, and professional conflicts.

Situations where a conflict of interest may arise include (but are not limited to):

• Where the research is sponsored by a related body
• Where the researcher or a related body may benefit (directly or indirectly) from any inappropriate dissemination of research results (including any delay in, or restriction upon, publication of such results)
• Where the researcher or a related body may benefit (directly or indirectly) from the use of University resources
• Where the researcher conducts a clinical trial which is supported by any person or organisation with a significant interest in the results of the trial
• Where private benefits or significant personal or professional advantage are dependent on research outcomes