Relax, it’s an audit not investigations

The state Crime and Corruption Commission reports it, “continues to receive allegations of corrupt conduct involving research fraud.” Evidently enough, and sufficiently serious, for the commission to announce an audit of the University of Queensland, University of Southern Queensland and QUT.

“Publications are a significant part of the academic environment, with researchers expected to publish original articles about their work. For a researcher, publications in peer-reviewed journals build professional credibility and assist in securing ongoing or temporary employment, promotion and pay rises. The ability to attract research grant funds also demonstrates expertise and research leadership in a given field,” the CCC explains.

The Commission cites issues involved as;

* authorship ranking

* number of articles published

* impact factor

The audit will evaluate whether universities “prevention measures” “are adequate to build resistance to research misconduct and fraud” and how universities deal with allegations of corrupt conduct.

The CCC says it will benchmark uni performance against the “vulnerabilities and prevention measures” set-out in its 2017  report on the prosecution and conviction for research fraud of University of Queensland academics Bruce Murdoch and Caroline Barwood.  The six-month inquiry is scheduled to start in July.

Last night QUT’s DVC R Arun Sharma said the university, “welcomed” the audit.