This policy ensures that animal use in research is carried out in compliance with national and international standards, laws, and regulations. The policy outlines the composition of the ACUC, its attributes, roles, missions, and responsibilities. It explains the process to get the approval for animal use and care.
Q1: What duties do researchers have in the management of research involving animals?
Researchers conducting research using animals must have the Ethics Committee approval before the start of the research. Then they are required to prioritize the welfare of animals in their care. All research must adhere to the 3Rs: Replacement, Refinement, and Reduction.
Q2: What regulations and guidelines govern the use of animals in research, and how are they enforced?
The Animal Use and Care Policy is the institutional framework for research using animals at UM6P. It adheres to best practices and regulations, and it is in line with international standards.
Q3: How does UM6P balance the need for scientific progress with the ethical treatment of animals in research?
The University Mohammed VI Polytechnique (UM6P) adheres to rigorous ethical guidelines and regulations through its Animal Use and Care Policy. The policy ensures ethical review of all animal research, imposes the principle of the three Rs, ensures traceability of laboratory animals, and provides periodic training for researchers on proper use of animal laboratories.
Q4: What roles do Ethics committees and Animal Care and Use Committee play in upholding animal research integrity?
The Ethics Committee is the body in charge of approving all research on animals. The ACUC provides the university with oversight regarding compliance with regulations, adequacy of facilities, animal husbandry and the appropriate use of animals in education programs and research. ACUC oversees, evaluates, review and provides technical assessment on all research involving animals before the final approval of the Ethics Committee.
This policy is applicable to all research projects carried out at UM6P, primarily aimed at elucidating distinctions among authors, co-authors, and multi-authors, and fostering collaboration among researchers from diverse disciplines. The objective is to improve clarity, transparency, and ethical standards in relation to authorship of scholarly works generated by the university’s research staff.
Q1: What qualifies someone as an author?
An author is generally considered to be an individual who has made a substantial intellectual contribution to a scientific investigation and scholarly effort. The definition of ‘significant’ or ‘scholarly effort’ may vary depending on the scientific field. In cases of collaborative work, it is important to have an open discussion about authorship under the super vision of the senior author.
Q2: When should someone be acknowledged instead of being listed as an author?
Acknowledgements are for individuals who have made some contribution to the publication, but who do not meet the criteria for authorship. Like writing assistants that can provide valuable help without meeting the criteria of authorship.
Q3: How are disagreements about authorship resolved?
Disagreements between and among authors should be resolved in a collegial manner by the lead author in consultation with the other authors. Generally, the lead author has the primary responsibility for making decisions on authorship.
If a party is not satisfied by the solution proposed, he/she should present their controversy in writing to the head of department that aims to solve the problem by consulting with the different partners involved in the disagreement.
If no solution is found after by the head of department then the president /designee will appoint three senior faculty members to investigate the dispute. The review group will not include individuals with personal responsibility for the research but should include faculty members with unique qualifications relative to the dispute in question.
Q4: What is gift authorship and is it allowed?
Giving someone the title of author out of a sense of obligation, tribute, dependence, or in the hopes of an anticipated benefit is considered unethical and not allowed by academic standards.
Q5: The role of AI in the writing of academic papers?
AI tools do not qualify to meet the criteria for authorship. It is expected, however, that authors be transparent as to any AI tools used in the research or for authoring of a publication, including the version number and a list of research activity done by the AI tool. The citation of the AI must be in line with the requirements of the journal and discipline.
The Principal Investigator (PI) Policy outlines the eligibility criteria, rights, and responsibilities of Principal Investigators.
Q1: What is the role of a Principal investigator (PI) at UM6P?
The PI at UM6P is responsibility for the design, conduct, and reporting of sponsored research projects. PI plays a crucial role in shaping the direction of research endeavors and is accountable for the overall management and outcomes of the projects he/she leads.
Q2: Who can become a Principal investigator at UM6P?
Faculty in the lecturer series, adjunct faculty, visiting faculty and senior research staff may be granted a PI status waiver on a case-by-case. Requests for PI eligibility for researchers who are not members of the faculty (e.g., academic research staff members, administrative staff) may be made on a case-by-case basis.
Q3: How do you apply for an exception to the eligibility rules for the Principal Investigator (PI) at UM6P, and what steps are involved in obtaining approval?
To apply for an exception to the eligibility rules for PI , individuals should submit their requests to the head of the department for review. The head of the department has the authority to approve a request for PI eligibility by someone who does not meet the PI criteria. In the case of disagreement with the decision, an appeal can be made to the Research Committee (for more information see (Section 4 procedure to apply for an exception))
The Research Data Management Policy provides guidelines and provisions for collecting, retaining, and accessing data. The aim is to conduct research transparently and in compliance with regulations and ethical standards surrounding data collection.
Q1: What are the requirements in the data management?
University Mohammed VI Polytechnic (UM6P) requires that research data and records be retained in sufficient detail and for an adequate period to enable appropriate responses to questions about accuracy, authenticity, primacy, and compliance with laws and regulations governing the responsible conduct of research. The collection of personal and private data for a research project must be approved by duly authorized authorities (La Commission Nationale de Contrôle ) prior to the collection of such.
Q2: Who is responsible for the oversight and the access to the data?
The Principal Investigator (PI) is accountable for filing, storing, sharing, and properly disposing of all study-related documents for each research study as required by law and the university policies.
Q3: Who owns the research data?
The university owns all research data developed or acquired by the faculty, fellows, students, and employees of UM6P through research projects conducted at or under the auspices of the university, regardless of funding source, unless it is determined otherwise in the sponsorship agreement.
Q4: What is a Research Data Management Plan?
The Research Data Management Plan (RDMP) is what enables the researcher(s) to plan and structure research data from the beginning of the research project until the end of the research. The RDMP should describe how data will be collected, managed, and shared. For more detail about the element, it needs to include verify in the policy.
Q5: What duties do researchers have in managing research data?
Researchers engaged in research shall keep clear, accurate and complete records of all research data and definitions. The researchers shall ensure that data is stored securely to protect against theft, misuse, damage, or loss. The university shall ensure that a research data management platform is available for the storage of research data.
The Research Integrity Policy serves as a guiding framework for maintaining the highest standards of honesty and transparency. This policy reinforces our commitment to upholding research practices characterized by integrity, promoting trust, and ensuring the credibility of our scholarly pursuits.
Q1: What is the purpose of UM6P’s research integrity policy?
The research integrity policy at UM6P aims to promote the university’s compliance with best practices for conducting responsible research and to protect the integrity and reputation of the university and its scholars from false or unproven allegations of research misconduct.
This procedure outlines clear steps for addressing and preventing research misconduct. This procedure underscores UM6P’s commitment to upholding the highest ethical standards, ensuring the credibility and trustworthiness of its research activities.
Q1: How is research misconduct addressed at UM6P, and what is the procedure for handling such cases?
The Research Misconduct Procedure outlines the steps taken in addressing cases of research misconduct at UM6P. When a case is identified, a series of steps are initiated to investigate and address the misconduct.
Q2: Whom should one contact if they suspect research misconduct, and what steps are taken to address such concerns?
If an individual is uncertain about whether the concern qualifies as research misconduct, he/she may contact the Research Integrity Officer (RIO) to discuss the concern informally and confidentially.
Q3: What is the designated timeframe for completing a research misconduct investigation at UM6P?
The investigation process at UM6P follows a specific timeline outlined in the Research Misconduct Procedure. The investigation committee is typically convened within 30 days of deciding to initiate an investigation, and all aspects, including conducting the investigation, preparing the report of findings, and distributing the final report, must be completed within 120 days from the start of the investigation. If, however, the investigation cannot be concluded within this timeframe, the Research Integrity Officer (RIO) may request a written extension. The extension request is then submitted to the President for formal approval.