Prevention of research misconduct, conflicts of interest, and research and education ethics
Aoyama Gakuin University 's system
At Aoyama Gakuin University, following the establishment of the "Guidelines on Responding to Research Misconduct" (decided by the Minister of Education, Aoyama Gakuin University, Sports, Science and Technology on August 26, 2014), we have established the "Rules Concerning the Implementation System for Preventing Research Misconduct at Aoyama Gakuin University" and the "Detailed Regulations Concerning Responding to Research Misconduct at Aoyama Gakuin University" as implementation systems for preventing research misconduct at the university, and we strive to prevent misconduct on a daily basis. Furthermore, with the aim of further raising awareness of research ethics among researchers and others, we have established a university-wide authorship policy to encourage appropriate authorship within the university.
Clarifying the responsibility system
■Chief Executive Officer (President)
This person is responsible for overseeing and ultimately bearing the responsibility for preventing misconduct throughout the entire Aoyama Gakuin University.
■ Overall Management Officer (Vice President in charge of General Affairs)
This individual has the substantial responsibility and authority to oversee the prevention of misconduct throughout the entire Aoyama Gakuin University.
■Research Ethics Education Officers (General Manager, Deans of Graduate Schools, Directors of Some Centers, and Director, The University Administration)
Under the overall management supervisor, they have substantial responsibility and authority to prevent misconduct in the faculty, department, and other organizations within Aoyama Gakuin University.
■ Department promoting the prevention of fraudulent activities
Research Support Department, under the direction of the Chief Executive Officer, plans, implements, and verifies the results of specific measures across Aoyama Gakuin University, based on a plan to prevent misconduct.
Preventive measures
In order to prevent research misconduct, we are taking the following steps to foster a sense of discipline among researchers and students (mainly graduate students).
- (1) Making research ethics education mandatory (for faculty, staff and students)
- (2) Distribution of educational pamphlets
Conflict of interest and research and education ethics
Furthermore, with the aim of establishing a management system for proactive measures, investigations, and follow-up responses regarding various issues related to conflicts of interest, conduct that violates research ethics and educational ethics, etc., at Aoyama Gakuin University, we have established the "Aoyama Gakuin University Conflict of Interest and Research/Education Ethics Committee Rules" and are working on them on a daily basis.
Report and consultation service for research misconduct
The following contact points have been set up for reporting allegations and receiving consultations: