Australian and New Zealand Society of Criminology
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code of ethics

1. Purpose of the Code

2. General Obligations

3. The Dissemination of Knowledge

4. Responsibilities to Colleagues

5. Responsibilities to Research Subjects

6. Relationships with Other Organisations

7. Compliance with the Code

 

1. Purpose of the Code

This Code of Ethics seeks to:

  1. provide guidance to members of the Australian and New Zealand Society of Criminology Inc. (‘the Society’) on how to comply with the aims of the Society and how to maintain the highest ethical standards in criminological work;
  2. provide a framework of principles to assist members of the Society in making appropriate decisions in the practice of criminological research, writing, administration, and teaching; and
  3. raise awareness of ethical issues which confront criminologists in Australia and New Zealand.

2. General Obligations

Members of the Society should endeavour to:

  1. advance criminological knowledge;
  2. permit free and open access to criminological knowledge;
  3. maintain and develop their professional competence and skill;
  4. demonstrate objectivity and integrity in their work;
  5. be punctual in meeting deadlines for the completion of work;
  6. avoid undertaking work which entails a conflict of interest;
  7. refrain from making misleading or deceptive statements in connection with their work;
  8. take all reasonable steps to ensure that their qualifications, capabilities, or views are not misrepresented by others and to correct any misrepresentations which exist;
  9. refrain from laying claim to expertise in areas of criminology which they do not have; and
  10. avoid conduct which may bring the wider criminological community into disrepute.

3. The Dissemination of Knowledge 

Members of the Society should promote a working environment and professional relationships conducive to:
  1. the advancement and dissemination of criminological knowledge;
  2. the protection and enhancement of intellectual freedom; and
  3. the creation of free and independent criminological inquiry.
4. Responsibilites to Colleagues

Members of the Society should:

  1. in carrying out and publishing work, recognise fully the contribution of the work of colleagues;
  2. avoid the exploitation of junior work colleagues;
  3. avoid harassment of colleagues on any grounds;
  4. actively promote the professional development of colleagues by ensuring that they receive training and support and protection in work environments which may jeopardise their well-being;
  5. not claim the work of others as their own;
  6. not use others’ ideas and / or research materials and products without permission and due acknowledgment;
  7. share criminological knowledge with colleagues;
  8. promote equal opportunity for colleagues; and
  9. actively seek to avoid discriminatory practices affecting colleagues.
5. Responsibilities to Research Subjects

Members of the Society when undertaking research should:

  1. comply with all legal requirements including laws protecting intellectual property, privacy, confidentiality, and data integrity;
  2. ensure that any research is undertaken in accordance with the requirements of accepted principles governing research involving human and animal experimentation;
  3. obtain approval from Institutional Research Ethics Committees prior to undertaking research which requires approval of such Committees; and
  4. respect undertakings of anonymity and confidentiality.
6. Relationships with Other Organisations

Members of the Society should seek to:

  1. maintain good relationships with all funding and professional organisations;
  2. disclose all sources of financial support and sponsorship received;
  3. avoid contractual conditions that limit intellectual freedom or are contingent upon a particular outcome or set of findings;
  4. avoid contractual or financial arrangements which emphasise speed and economy at the expense of quality work;
  5. avoid contractual or financial arrangements which place restrictions on their freedom to disseminate research findings;
  6. comply with written agreements and undertaking entered into or given to organisations; and
  7. be sympathetic to the constraints on organisations participating in research and not inhibit their functioning by imposing unnecessary burdens on them.
7. Compliance with the Code

Members of the Society agree to:

  1. comply with the provisions of this Code of Ethics in their work as criminologists and
  2. abide by decisions made by the Society following any non-compliance with the provisions of this Code of Ethics.

Dated: 3 April 2000

This Code draws upon provisions contained in the Codes of Ethics of:

the British Society of Criminology
the American Society of Criminology