Role of the Principal Investigator

Responsible Conduct of Research

The University of Alberta upholds the following principles in promoting responsible conduct of research:

  1. Upholding the highest standards of scholarly practice and ethical conduct.
  2. Ensuring the safety and respect of human research participants.
  3. Conducting teaching and research activities involving animals with full respect for animal welfare.
  4. Applying principles of stewardship to research records to protect their integrity.
  5. Supporting research and scholarship through effective resource management and securing external funding.
  6. Ensuring that all research aligns with established university policies on scholarship, integrity, and obligations to trainees.
  7. Adhering to grant administration requirements, including confidentiality, intellectual property, publication rights, graduate student rights, and conflict of interest.

These principles guide the University's commitment to fostering an environment of open inquiry, academic freedom, and ethical research practices.

Noncompliance and Misconduct

Excellence in research and scholarship requires dedication, creativity, and integrity. Dishonesty and fabrication undermine the value of scholarly work. Ethical standards must be upheld, and proper attribution and respect for others' contributions are essential. Breaches of integrity offend society and compromise trust.

Noncompliance with obtaining and maintaining ethics approval, as outlined in the Research and Scholarship Integrity Policy, can result in allegations of misconduct and the immediate suspension of funding access. At our institution, we prioritize integrity to ensure that research contributes positively to society.

Policy Resources

University research policies and procedures can be found on the U of A Policies and Procedures On-Line (UAPPOL) website. It is the responsibility of Principal Investigators (PIs) to familiarize themselves with these policies and guidelines and ensure compliance in their research programs.

The following are some of the policies relevant to research.