What is the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research?

The Code was developed by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NH&MRC), the Australian Research Council (ARC) and Universities Australia. Published in 2007, it replaced an older version and introduced the importance of data management for the first time. The Code provides a guide to responsible research practice and covers a wide range of topics associated with research: the management of research data and associated materials, the publication and dissemination of research finding, peer review, conflict of interest, collaboration, research misconduct and breaches of the Code. The Code can be found at http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/guidelines/publications/r3.

The Code covers all activities related to research including the creation, sharing and management of data. These include:

Institutions are to retain research data, provide secure data storage, identify ownership, and ensure security and confidentiality of research data

Researchers are to retain research data and primary materials, manage storage of research data and primary materials, maintain confidentiality of research data and primary materials.

Visser, K. (2012).  Research Data Policy and the Australian Code of Conduct for Responsible Research. Retrieved 18 September, 2012 from http://www.ands.org.au/guides/code-awareness

In Section 2, the Code states: 

"Institutions must provide facilities for the safe and secure storage of research data and for maintaining records of where research data are stored."

and

"Each institution must have a policy on the retention of materials and research data."