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St Vincent's Centre for Applied Medical Research

Complaints

In Research Ethics & Governance:

  • Research Ethics
  • Research Governance
  • Fees and Payments
  • Resources for Researchers
  • Complaints
  • IP and Commercialisation

On This Page:

  • Who can make a complaint?
  • Informal Complaints
  • Formal Complaints
  • Submitting a Formal Complaint

Who can make a complaint?

Complaints may be made by participants, researchers, staff or others, about the conduct of authorised research activities. 

Complaints may be related to any of the following:

  • Breaches of privacy/confidentiality
  • Misappropriation, falsifying data, dubious authorship, plagiarism or misrepresentation
  • Careless or inappropriate collection, analysis, use or disclosure of information
  • Conflicts of interest
  • Coercion or failure to appropriately obtain participant consent
  • Departures from good research practice
  • Other

Informal Complaints

When appropriate, a verbal expression of dissatisfaction can be dealt with promptly and to the complainant’s satisfaction at the time the complaint is made. Informal incidents do not need to be reported.

Formal Complaints

Includes all written complaints and any verbal reports or complaints that cannot be dealt with as informal incidents. Formal incidents are recorded by the Research Office and are managed according to the procedure outlined in St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney and NSW Health Policies and Guidelines.

Submitting a Formal Complaint

Formal complaints can be directed to the St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney Research Office in writing, via email or phone, either in person or through a representative. In order for us to respond to complaints, complainants are required to provide their name and contact details. This information is treated confidentially. 

Complaints will be responded to within 24 hours during weekdays. The complainant will be notified of the outcome of the investigation relating to their complaint.