Research Policy

1. Purpose

To ensure that all research conducted at CIT conforms to accepted ethical standards and meets CIT requirements.

2. Scope

This policy:

• Includes all research involving CIT, its agents or related parties, irrespective of the location where the research is conducted
• Excludes CIT College evaluations conducted for continuous improvement of subjects and courses.

3. Principles

3.1 Research must conform to the guidelines in The CIT Research and Ethics Handbook.

3.2 Research proposals with more than a low risk require CIT Research Ethics Committee approval.

3.3 Research proposals that could impact negatively on CIT will not be approved.

3.4 Approvals required for research involving CIT staff and students:

a. CIT staff/students undertaking research involving CIT staff/students must

• seek advice from the Head of Department, CIT Education Quality regarding its planning, design and implementation and
• have approval of the respective College Head of Department.

b. CIT's third-party providers delivering CIT's Higher Education programs must have:

• the organisation's approval and
• must notify CIT before undertaking the research.

c. CIT's agents or related parties including external researchers must have the approval of the Head of Department, CIT Education Quality.

3.5 Colleges may conduct surveys as part of their continuous improvement activities, including subject evaluations or addressing specific client groups or needs, however, these surveys must be timed not to clash with CIT-wide surveys.

3.6 Staff must ensure that information systems and records are all kept secure.

3.7 Findings from any research activity, including evaluation studies and surveys, must be formally recorded and reported to relevant stakeholders.

4. Documentation

Legislation

Human Rights Act 2004 (ACT)

Information Privacy Act 2014

Children and Young People Act 2008 (ACT)

Related Policies, Guides and Resources

The Code of Practice for the Australian Vocational Education and Training Research Association (AVETRA) drawn from the code of ethics of the Australian Association for Research in Education

National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research 2007 (updated May 2015)

Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015

Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2011

CIT Research Handbook (CIT Staff only)

CIT Application to Conduct Research Form (CIT Staff only)

CIT Research Ethics Committee Terms of Reference (CIT Staff only)

5. Definitions

All terminology used in this policy is consistent with definitions in the CIT Definitions of Terms.

6. Policy Contact Officer

Director, Education Services.

Contact CIT Student Services on (02) 6207 3188 or email infoline@cit.edu.au for further information.

7. Procedures

This policy is implemented through the associated procedures. Authority to make changes to the procedures rests with the policy owner.