Guidelines on Research Practice in Computer Science

Compiled by Justin Zobel, Department of Computer Science, 
RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia

May 1999

The principal recommendations in this document are that:

General considerations

Three elements the NHMRC/AVCC opening statement are of particular relevance to practising researchers in computer science:

Data storage and retention

Authorship

Publication

Supervision

Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest

Research misconduct

Examples of research misconduct include but are not limited to the following :

Misappropriation : A researcher or reviewer shall not intentionally or recklessly

Interference : A researcher or reviewer shall not intentionally and without authorization take or sequester or materially damage any research-related property of another, including without limitation the apparatus, reagents, biological materials, writings, data, hardware, software, or any other substance or device used or produced in the conduct of research.

Misrepresentation : A researcher or reviewer shall not with intent to deceive, or in reckless disregard for the truth,

Thus misconduct in research includes:

Refereeing and examination

Researchers should not referee a paper or examine a thesis where there is a real or perceived conflict of interest, or where there is some reasonable likelihood that it will be difficult for the referee to maintain objectivity. Examples are: