University Policies
Policy on Research Ethics
Introduction
Al-Mustaqbal University affirms that adherence to research ethics principles constitutes the foundation for establishing an honest and responsible academic environment that fosters trust and credibility in scientific knowledge. Guided by its vision to serve as a beacon of excellence and innovation, the university is committed to implementing the highest ethical standards in all phases of scientific research, from planning and implementation through publication and application, thereby ensuring integrity, transparency, and respect for human rights and intellectual property. This policy aims to establish a clear framework that regulates research conduct and ensures that all scientific practices within the university conform to global ethical principles and directives from the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in Iraq.
Policy Clauses
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Article 1: Scientific Integrity
The university is committed to promoting values of honesty and accuracy in research preparation and execution, and prohibits any practices related to fabrication, data manipulation, scientific plagiarism, or concealment of unfavorable results.
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Article 2: Academic Integrity
Researchers must maintain integrity in referencing others work through proper scientific documentation of sources, respecting prior intellectual and research efforts, and ensuring that all ideas and results are appropriately attributed.
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Article 3: Respect for Research Participants Rights
The university is committed to safeguarding the rights, safety, and dignity of all research participants through obtaining informed consent, protecting information confidentiality, and preventing any physical, psychological, or social harm.
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Article 4: Ethical Approvals
No research involving human, animal, or environmental elements may be implemented without approval from the university Research Ethics Committee and strict adherence to all relevant legal and humanitarian standards.
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Article 5: Intellectual Property
The university respects intellectual property rights of researchers and participating parties in research and ensures preservation of copyright in accordance with national and international regulations.
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Article 6: Transparency and Disclosure
Researchers are required to disclose any potential conflicts of interest that may affect research integrity or results, whether financial, professional, or personal in nature.
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Article 7: Funded Research
Research projects funded by external entities must be administered according to clear guidelines that ensure researcher independence, maintain scientific objectivity, and prevent result manipulation to serve funding source interests.
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Article 8: Data and Experiment Usage
The university is committed to ensuring that data and experiments are used safely and responsibly, preserving information confidentiality and utilizing data only for approved scientific purposes.
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Article 9: Student Involvement in Research
The university encourages student participation in research activities to facilitate the acquisition of scientific and ethical skills, while emphasizing documentation of their contributions and respect for their academic rights.
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Article 10: Scientific Publication
The university emphasizes adherence to ethical publishing standards, prohibits duplicate or repeated publication of identical results in multiple journals, and encourages publication in reputable journals with transparent peer review criteria.
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Article 11: Use of Artificial Intelligence
The university regulates the use of artificial intelligence tools in research preparation and scientific analysis to ensure they serve as assistive tools rather than substitutes for research effort, with explicit disclosure of their usage in research methodology when appropriate.
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Article 12: Environmental and Community Protection
The university requires all researchers to follow environmentally safe and responsible practices in research implementation and ensures that projects do not produce negative impacts on the environment or community.
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Article 13: Violations and Procedures
Research ethics violations are referred to the university Research Integrity and Ethics Committee for investigation and appropriate action, which may include warnings, research withdrawal, or referral to competent authorities.
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Article 14: Policy Implementation and Review
This policy is effective from the date of approval by the University Council and is reviewed triennially to ensure alignment with academic and legislative developments and national and international standards for higher education.
Conclusion
Through this research ethics policy, Al-Mustaqbal University affirms its commitment to establishing a research environment founded on integrity, transparency, and academic responsibility. The university aspires to serve as a model in implementing scientific ethics and ensuring that all research contributes to community service, advancement of human knowledge, and adherence to the highest standards of professional and academic conduct.