Regulations Governing Research Activities and Use of Research Funds

Academic Research Ethics

Sophia University has formulated the following guidelines and regulations governing academic research ethics, and we work to raise ethical awareness concerning research activities and prevent misconduct.

We formulated the Sophia University Guidelines for Academic Research Ethics as basic ethical guidelines for research activities aimed at ensuring the trustworthiness and impartiality of academic research.

We formulated the Sophia University Guidelines for Prevention of Misconduct in Research Activities with the purpose of preventing misconduct in research activities carried out at Sophia University and responding properly when such misconduct is suspected to have occurred.

We formulated the Sophia University Bylaws for Investigation Procedure for Misconduct in Research Activities at Sophia University to stipulate necessary items concerning procedures, etc. for investigations in cases where there is suspicion of misconduct in research activities.

We are working to raise awareness regarding the prevention of research misconduct by creating and distributing the Preventing Research Misconduct Leaflet. The leaflet explains what kinds of actions constitute research misconduct, what uses of research funds count as misuse, and other initiatives being implemented by the university.

Contact for Consultation Regarding Research Ethics

The Center for Research Promotion and Support offers consultation to parties from inside and outside the University on improving research ethics and preventing misconduct.

Center for Research Promotion and Support
(Bldg. No.13, 4F, Room 411)

7-1 Kioicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-8554, Japan

Tel. 03-3238-3173 / Fax. 03-3238-4116

Contact for Complaints Concerning Misconduct in Research Activities

The Sophia University Audit Office accepts complaints concerning misconduct in research activities (falsification, manipulation, plagiarism, etc.). The office ensures that individuals making complaints do not receive prejudicial treatment under the Sophia University Bylaws for Investigation Procedure for Misconduct in Research Activities at Sophia University.

Sophia University Audit Office
(Central Library and Research Institutes, 9F, Room 913)

7-1 Kioicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-8554, Japan

Tel. 03-3238-4389 / Fax. 03-3238-4116

Initiatives for the Appropriate Use and Management of Research Funds

Sophia University has established guidelines and plans for the proper management and administration of public research funds, based on the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology’s “Guidelines for the Management and Audit of Public Research Funds at Research Institutions (Implementation Standards)” (revised on February 1, 2021).

Reports of information concerning the misuse of research funds can be made through the whistle-blowing contact below. In accordance with Sophia University’s Regulations Concerning Whistle-Blowing, we ensure that individuals making reports do not receive prejudicial treatment as a result of their action.

Whistle-Blowing Contact

Sophia University Audit Office
(Central Library and Research Institutes, 9F, Room 913)

7-1 Kioicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-8554, Japan

Tel. 03-3238-4389

As part of our efforts to prevent the misuse of research funds, in addition to stipulating Sophia University Standards for Handling Inappropriate Transactions Involving Public Research Funds as outlined below, under the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology’s Guidelines for Management and Auditing of Public Research Costs in Research Institutions, when conducting transactions above a certain amount we also require the submission of the written pledge shown below declaring that there is no impropriety concerning said transaction. We thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Additionally, if a transaction is judged to be inappropriate, please understand that transactions with the university will be suspended for a set period of time in accordance with the Sophia University Standards for Handling Inappropriate Transactions Involving Public Research Funds, as shown below.

Enquiries

Bureau of Financial Affairs (Bldg. No.13, 4F)

7-1 Kioicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-8554, Japan

Tel. 03-3238-3182 / Fax. 03-3238-3129

Guidelines for Research on Human Subjects

We formulated Sophia University Guidelines for Research on Human Subjects to set ethical standards for research on human subjects. Based on these guidelines, we have also formulated the Sophia University Regulations for the Human Research Ethics Committee for the committee to use when evaluating research plans and the like.

Please refer to Web Piloti.

Research on Animals

Any testing involving animals must be carried out in accordance with the Act on Welfare and Management of Animals (Act No. 105 of 1973), Standards relating to the Care and Keeping and Reducing Pain of Laboratory Animals (Notice of the Ministry of the Environment No. 88 of 2006), Fundamental Guidelines for Proper Conduct of Animal Experiment and Related Activities in Academic Research Institutions (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Notice No. 71 of 2006), and Guidelines for Proper Conduct of Animal Experiments (Science Council of Japan, June 2006).

On January 1, 2011, we enacted the Sophia University Regulations Concerning Animal Testing based on relevant laws and guidelines, clarifying matters concerning animal testing.

Experiments Involving Gene Recombination

We have formulated the Sophia University Regulations Concerning the Use and Safety Management of Living Organisms in Gene Recombination Research with the aim of ensuring that research and experiments involving gene recombination are carried out in accordance with university-wide policy based on laws and regulations.

We strive to ensure that all research and experiments involving gene recombination at Sophia University are carried out safely and appropriately based on these regulations.

Sophia University Gene Recombination Experiment Safety Committee Office

(Center for Research Promotion and Support, Bureau of Academic Research and Information)

7-1 Kioicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-8554, Japan

Tel. 03-3238-3173 / Fax. 03-3238-4116

Conflict-of-Interest Management

Sophia University has established regulations for the appropriate management of conflicts of interest to ensure the fairness and reliability of research activities.

Security Export Control System

Security export control is designed to maintain peace and security in Japan and the rest of the world by regulating the provision of technologies and the export of goods to countries, terrorists, or other parties who may be a threat to Japanese or international peace and security. It is a set of procedures designed to prevent technologies or goods that could be used to develop weapons or for other military purposes from falling into the hands of those who may be engaged in activities of concern.

In Japan, security export control is carried out in accordance with the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act (FEFTA).

Sophia University established the “Security Export Control Regulations / 安全保障貿易管理規程.” By ensuring university-wide awareness and proper implementation of security export control, we strive to promote the sound development of academic research and the advancement of research that contributes to the maintenance of international peace and security.

Research Data Management and Utilization Policy

To realize the founding philosophy of Sophia University, “Sophia-Bringing the World Together”, Sophia University promotes educational and research activities based on our core spirit of Christian Humanism and its neighborliness and internationalism to walk with people around the world. As part of that, in accumulating the results obtained through research activities and aiming at further development of academic research and giving back to society, the principles for the management, release, and utilization of research data are defined.

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