Research Policies

RESEARCH

RESEARCH PROMOTION POLICY

The college promotes research by providing resources to researchers to enhance their research capabilities and also by recognising research output by faculty members and research students.

The objectives of the Research Promotion Policy are to

1. Generate and Provide Resources for research
2. To Enhance Research Capabilities, Collaborations and Output
3. To ensure Ethical research practices in college
4. By which a conducive environment to carry out research, outreach, extension and knowledge generation can be established.
5. MODUS OPERANDI

Generating and Providing Resources (Capital and Infrastructure)

• Apply for financial support schemes from Central and State agencies to ensure that facilities for research are constantly upgraded.
• Both faculty and scholars are provided the services of the various research laboratories working in the college at a subsidized rate.
• Full time Research Scholars without any fellowship are provided with a financial aid.
• Teachers wishing to apply for patents and projects are provided support (both financial and expertise)
• Partial deference of cost of attending FDPs/seminars/conferences for quality enhancement of faculty is provided on case-by-case basis.

Enhancing Research Capabilities and Collaborations

It is endeavoured to increase the research capabilities and output of the research scholars by encouraging them to:

1. Publish papers and books
2. Make paper presentations
3. Apply for patents
4. Attend workshops/trainings/courses which will increase their skills and output

It is endeavoured to increase the research capabilities and output of the faculty by encouraging, assisting and facilitating them to:

1. Maximise their intake of research scholars
2. Publish papers and books
3. Make paper presentations
4. Apply for patents
5. Apply for research funding/grants/projects
6. Attend workshops/trainings/courses which will increase their skills and output
7. Undertake research collaborations
8. Undertake research consultancies
9. Undertake editorial/review duties without disrupting the duties of the faculty at the college.
10. Accept assignments as resource persons/faculty exchange without disrupting the duties of the faculty at the college.

• The above factors are considered for selection of best research scholar and best research faculty awards.

Ensuring Ethics in Research

• St. Thomas College has robust research ethics policy which is implemented by the Research Regulatory Bodies of the college. In association with College Library the Research Council intends to offer a Research and Publication Ethics course.

PLAGIARISM CHECK POLICY

Preamble

Ethics and honesty are inherent in all academic activities, be it teaching or research, established on the pedestal of lofty moral values. Practices such as claiming credit and ownership of work and ideas of others knowingly or unknowingly runs against the spirit and ethos of research. Unethical practices are detrimental to the academic atmosphere and reputation of institutions and individuals. In this context, the importance of a “PLAGIARISM CHECK POLICY” for the St Thomas College (Autonomous), Thrissur, an institution representing truth and freedom, cannot be repudiated.

Definition of Plagiarism

Plagiarism is defined as a noun meaning “an act or instance of plagiarizing”. Plagiarizing being the verb meaning “to steal and pass off (the ideas or words of another) as one’s own: use (another’s production) without crediting the source/ to commit literary theft: present as new and original an idea or product derived from an existing source”

– Merriam-Webster Dictionary

Plagiarize (and plagiarism) is the anglicized version of from the Latin word plagiarius which means “kidnapper.” Pagiarius was used to describe a person who stole the words, children of another and was derived from plaga – a net used by hunters to catch game extended its

In the modern context Plagiarism includes in its ambit:

• Submitting other’s work as one’s own
• Reproduce/replicate the words or ideas of others without properly crediting the original work
• Neglecting quotation marks where it is needed
• Providing erroneous information about the source of a quotation or data
• Retaining the sentence structure but copying words without crediting the original source
• Manipulating and misinterpreting others work by data modification in tables etc.

OBJECTIVE:

To ensure plagiarism free research and research communication in the college.

How to detect Plagiarism

Any institution or individual committed to the pursuit of academic excellence should be fully invested in delineating an original work from plagiarized. St Thomas College (Autonomous), Thrissur, has a two-pronged approach in tackling plagiarism and ensuring quality and originality of the research work before the submission of thesis and award of a research degree. Specialized plagiarism check software (Urkund) approved by the University and Global R& D standards and an expert committee in the concerned subject are employed for this purpose. The following steps have been enlisted to facilitate the execution of the policy.

1. Software plagiarism check for all Ph.D. theses prior to submission.
2. In case of identification and assessment of alleged plagiarism, it should be reported to the Research Advisory Council (RAC). The RAC will convene an Expert Committee comprising two external experts, the concerned Supervisor and the concerned Head of the Department whose expert opinion will be sought. If the report indicates plagiarism, the thesis will be returned for rewriting. If a person repeats the offence more than once then the person will be barred from submission and would have to face disciplinary actions.
3. As per university guidelines, in case of the receipt of a written complaint also (with proper identity of the complainant along with an expert opinion from the same field on plagiarism is received), the above procedure shall be followed.

Compliance Statements

As per university guidelines all Ph.D. scholars are required to submit a signed certificate on plagiarism check of her/his work, in the prescribed format with the recommendation of the Doctoral Committee, at the time of the submission of thesis.

Procedure for Plagiarism check using approved software will also be compliant to University guidelines.

The College Library is equipped to provide the assistance and access for plagiarism checker software(s). The facility is also made available at the research departments of the College. Before final submission the final soft copy of the PhD/Post-PhD theses should be provided as a CD in pdf and doc/docx format to undergo check with plagiarism detection software.

Research Scholars and Supervisors submitting theses should follow the guidelines compliant to the University of Calicut or whichever University is awarding the final degree.

1. The CD containing the final soft copy of the doctoral theses in PDF/ doc/docx format should be submitted
2. Theses should cover the chapters from introduction to bibliography/in a single file. Preliminary pages, namely the declaration, acknowledgement, abstract, list of charts and abbreviations, tables of contents, etc., and succeeding pages: glossary, index, questionnaire, etc. should be submitted as a separate file.
3. Duration of three days is allowed for scanning the text of the theses and the issue of the report depicting the percentage of similar content.
4. If the percentage of similar content is beyond the permitted limit or any plagiarized content is detected the scholars should be given a chance to take appropriate corrective measures.
5. Scholars should make sure that they accurately acknowledge the right authors and sources.

Only accepted standard format should be followed for rendering references. The same format should be maintained throughout the text.

Procedure for handling alleged Plagiarism

To maintain fairness and to avoid victimization and malicious defamation, on the receipt of a properly addressed complaint the person/persons accused should be

(a) informed of the allegations along with a copy of the complaint against them so that they may be able to reply to it adequately.
(b) given at least two weeks to respond to the allegations against them.
(c) the matter should be resolved in less than two months to ensure that no one suffers from delay.
(d) the principal and head of the research council should make sure that unbiased investigation and decision making is done.
(e) unless a crime is proved the person/persons accused should not be shamed nor should the allegations be made public.

Punishment

Depending on the severity of crime the punishment (to the scholar or Supervising Teacher or both) shall be:

1. Fine or warning
2. Rustication for limited period or permanently
3. Withdrawal of the alleged degree

Counselling

To prevent instances of plagiarism and disciplinary actions associated with it the college should take steps to spread awareness about it. Awareness programmes for final year undergraduate, graduate research scholars and faculty should be arranged annually. Class teachers may be entrusted to enlighten the undergraduate students but M.Sc. Students, Ph.D. Scholars and Faculty should be allowed the benefit of an awareness session from an expert.

Permitted level of plagiarism will be compliant to University Guidelines

Own published work (if appended at the end of the thesis/dissertation), references with proper citation are excluded from plagiarism check. Generally, similarity of contents up to 5-10% shall be ignored.

The maximum acceptance level shall be:

· Introduction/Review of literature: 25% for subjects under Science and Technology faculties and 35% for subjects under other faculties)
· Materials and Methods: 25% for all faculties
· Result/ Discussion/Summary/Conclusion: 10% for all faculties

Guidelines for Plagiarism checking in the library

The service can be availed from 10.30 am to 3.30 pm.

• There are no limitations regarding the number of times plagiarism checking can be done on a Thesis and should be provided free.
• Plagiarism checking facility is open for research papers and should be encouraged.
• Submit any document for plagiarism check at least 10 days before the due date of submission.
• Persons availing the facility should provide the required address proof and fill in the required forms.
• One cannot submit other people’s work for plagiarism check.
• The same copy/matter used for the final plagiarism check should be submitted for evaluation.
• Auxiliary pages and references given at the end of each chapter may be excluded while submitting the thesis for plagiarism check.
• Thesis has to be divided into 4 files in the following format in CD viz.,

01. Introduction and review –
02. Materials and methods –
03. Analysis, result and findings –
04. Tile page of the thesis

• Research scholars are directed to bring the files in PDF format and Doc./Docx.
• Submission permission and certificate will be issued only when the percentage of similarity is within the limit prescribed by the university and college.
• Research scholar has to bring six copies of the proforma of ‘Certificate of Plagiarism Check’.
• It is advised to obtain the Plagiarism Certificate only after the pre-submission. Certificate on Plagiarism check once issued will not be cancelled in any circumstances.
• In addition, the scholars shall follow the guidelines and regulations specified by University of Calicut.

SANTHOME RESEARCH (SEED MONEY) GRANT POLICY

Fostering the spirit of research and encouraging the faculty to follow the path of systematic enquiry and thus create a research environment is high up in the priority of the college. In this context, the college management has revamped the existing seed money policy to incorporate facilitation of minor research proposals under the SANTHOME RESEARCH SEED MONEY GRANT scheme.

Research activities encourage the creation and dissemination of new knowledge. Teachers who are involved in active research can foster the spirit and rigours of enquiry in students and can help in building a new generation who are capable of innovation. Research also helps in understanding basic concepts and helps in better learning by doing.

External funding for research is highly competitive and applicants need a background of research to be considered. Promoting research by funding deserving teachers to build a base for their research aspirations will also benefit the organisation as it will help to bring in external funding in the long run.

Statement of purpose:

SANTHOME RESEARCH SEED MONEY GRANT scheme aims to create a sustainable environment of research in the college.

Objectives of Seed Money Policy

• To create a sustainable environment for research in the college campus.
• To provide required support for research-oriented faculty.
• To nurture locally relevant research which may not be relevant at the global level and therefore may not merit external funding.
• To create opportunities for teachers to initiate pilot research projects which could serve to attract external funding.
• To test novel ideas before submitting proposals to external agencies.
• To promote inter-departmental collaboration.
• To set up role models for students in innovative practices.

All teaching staff are encouraged to apply for SANTHOME RESEARCH SEED MONEY GRANT. It is envisaged to provide a maximum grant upto Rs. 50,000/-. It is the discretion of the awarding committee to sanction the full amount requested or not. Seventy-five percentage of the sanctioned amount will be handed over to the applicant along with the sanction order. The remaining 25% will be given to the applicant on submission of project and CA audited utilization certificate and other requirements listed in terms and conditions.

The applicant must submit the application in the given format with the required supporting documents after getting forwarded by the concerned Head of the department. It is advised that the faculty also submit a profile generated through STAMS along with the application form.

Research Incentives

Santhome “Research Awards” are given at three levels to encourage research output.

SANTHOME BEST RESEARCHER AWARD is given to a faculty who has made profound contributions to the research culture and output of the college during his/her tenure.

BEST RESEARCHER FROM EACH RESEARCH DEPARTMENT: A faculty who has contributed to his/her departments research culture by research output in the form of the following

1. Publications in peer reviewed, indexed journals (SCOPUS/WEB of SCIENCE/PUBMED)
2. Books and Book chapters with ISBN
3. Patents
4. Paper presentations in International/National Research Events
5. Extension and Outreach Activities
6. Externally Funded Projects
7. Invitations as Resource Person/Subject Expert/Faculty Exchange Schemes
8. Other relevant output

BEST RESEARCH SCHOLAR: A Scholar who has contributed to his/her department culture by research output in the following form

In addition to the above all faculty who publish in peer reviewed indexed journal as mentioned above are given a cash incentive for each paper they publish.

BEST PAPER AWARD: One paper each from each subject may be selected for this award based on its quality and the quality of the journal it is published (Impact Factor and Indexing).

Scholars and Faculty awarded PhD and Faculty newly recognised as research guides are also honoured.

Implementation: The Research Council is responsible for updating, implementing and assessing the outcome of the research promotion policies.

RESEARCH ETHICS POLICY

Introduction

Ethics in research is very important as adhering to certain norms promotes the aims inherent in research. The Research Ethics Policy provides broad guidelines for individual behaviour in matters of research conduct:

Objective

1. Ensure all research in the college follows universally approved protocols of ethics and laws of the land
2. To provide guidelines to ensure that collaborative work can be carried out without conflict of interests.
3. To safeguard the rights of animals, humans or communities’ if part of research.
4. To outline the role expected from mentors (guides) and mentees (scholars)

Regulatory Body

All matters of Ethics in Research are managed by the College Research Ethics committee which will hereafter be known as the Research Ethics and Academic Integrity Panel (RE-AIP).

• The RE-AIP consists of the following permanent members

1. The Principal
2. The Dean of Research
3. The IQAC coordinator
4. The Dean of Sciences
5. The Dean of Languages and Social Sciences
6. The Joint Coordinator of the Research Council
7. The Librarian

• In case of a hearing regarding ethical misconduct from any faculty a Department Staff Representative will be present for the proceedings to ensure that institutional victimization does not happen.

• In case of a hearing regarding ethical misconduct from any scholar a Department Scholar Representative will be present for the proceedings to ensure that institutional victimization does not happen.

Role expected from mentors

• Constantly update knowledge
• Be open-minded and supportive
• Facilitate research activities
• Be firm but fair
• Assign clear roles for Mentees without ambiguity
• Lead by example
• Avoid burdening mentees with personal work

Role expected from scholars

• Sincerity and Dedication
• Honesty and Transparency
• Rigour
• Respect to co-workers and mentors
• Responsibility and Legality

All researchers are expected to be aware of and respect the laws of the land regarding

1. IPR (patents, trademarks, copyrights, plagiarism) and publication
2. Testing on animals
3. Testing or Information collection from human beings
4. Privacy and Confidentiality
5. Transfer and Handling of Bioresources and/or hazardous material

• Ignorance of these laws cannot be cited as an excuse and therefore all researchers are expected to be aware of the latest status of all research ethics related laws relevant to their research.

Norms of Publications and Collaborations

• All publications should confirm to discipline-specific good practices:

- - The authors must be able to identify their contribution to a research output (article/patent/book/product).
  - The authors should accept personal responsibility for it their research outputs
  - Contributions of collaborators should be properly acknowledged with their permission
  - Honorary authorships are strongly discouraged.

Misconduct in research

• The following practices are deemed misconduct in research and those practising these will be subject to disciplinary action

1. Piracy
2. Abuse of Intellectual Property Rights
3. Abuse of Research Resources
4. Substance Abuse
5. Defamation/ Harassment/ Bullying
6. Impersonation and/or Fraud
7. Sabotage
8. Denying access to resources/information
9. Wrongly claiming/appropriating others achievements as own

Sanctions in Research

• Based on the level of misconduct, the ethics committee may suggest the following:

1. Written Warning
2. Loss of privileges
3. Fines

Role expected from scholars

• Sincerity and Dedication
• Honesty and Transparency
• Rigour
• Respect to co-workers and mentors
• Responsibility and Legality

All researchers are expected to be aware of and respect the laws of the land regarding

• Ignorance of these laws cannot be cited as an excuse and therefore all researchers are expected to be aware of the latest status of all research ethics related laws relevant to their research.

Norms of Publications and Collaborations

• All publications should confirm to discipline-specific good practices:

o The authors must be able to identify their contribution to a research output (article/patent/book/product).
o The authors should accept personal responsibility for it their research outputs
o Contributions of collaborators should be properly acknowledged with their permission
o Honorary authorships are strongly discouraged.

Misconduct in research

The following practices are deemed misconduct in research and those practising these will be subject to disciplinary action

Sanctions in Research

• Based on the level of misconduct, the ethics committee may suggest the following:

1. Written Warning
2. Loss of privileges
3. Fines
4. Compensation for loss
5. Public Apology in addition to any of the above
6. Suspension
7. Dismissal (Only in the most serious cases and after repeated warnings following due procedures laid down by university)
8. Punitive measures for plagiarism will be as prescribed by the Plagiarism Policy of the College and University of Calicut.

Implementation of the Policy

The Research Ethics and Academic Integrity Panel is expected to revise and update the above guidelines to ensure that ethical research is carried out in the institution. Any report of ethical report is first examined by the RE AIP before suggesting sanctions to the Dean of Research and Principal.

CONSULTANCY POLICY

1. Introduction

Consultancy is an essential conduit for sharing knowledge and expertise between different individuals and agencies. Consultancy may be associated with contractual relationships, including research, service, contracts etc., with individuals, non-governmental and governmental agencies in lieu of a fee. The goal of this policy document is to set out the principles and procedures governing consultancy undertaken by academic staff members (hereafter referred to as Consultant) of the college. The staff is encouraged to undertake consultancy, provided, it is in conformity with the vision and mission of the college.

2. Objective

• To increases professional and academic competence and exposure of stake holders for quality enhancement.
• To create and maintain links between the College and external organisations to increase research and placement opportunities.
• To catalyse innovations and protect Intellectual Property (IP) of the college
• To meet the local and regional needs of the society through knowledge transfer.
• To generate tangible outcome, interns of capital or assets.

3. Scope

Consultancy services may be offered to Individuals, Industries, Service Sector, Govt. Departments and other National and International agencies by the staff of the college, in their field of expertise. The college stipulates that all such services must be governed by written contracts (formal emails may be considered) and the Principal has the right to instruct the staff to decline a proposal for consultancy. The responsibility for conduct of the project and the deliverables will lie with the Consultant, and the office of the Dean of Research will provide the necessary administrative support. Proposals for large sized consultancy assignments (worth more than One Crore) may be reviewed by a five-member Advisory Committee comprising Principal, Deans of Science, Humanities, Research and Planning and Communication.

4. Recruitment Policy

Students who are willing to work on consultancy projects may be permitted, as per the norms of the college, provided it does not affect their academic commitments and performances. Such work by students may be compensated by suitable honoraria. Recruitment of temporary staff for Consultancy Projects, if needed, shall follow existing rules for project staff recruitment.

Purchases and travel for the consultancy project shall be from project funds budgeted for such expenses, and shall follow the existing purchase and travel rules.

5. Exclusions

This consultancy policy does not recognize below activities:

a) External Examination related duties
b) Invited Talks and conference presentations
c) Editorship of academic journals or publication of solicited articles
d) Royalties
e) Professional arts performances
f) Charitable services
g) Any other as decided by the governing council of the college (i) advance payment is received for each segment of work.
(ii) the number of instalments is consistent with the deliverables.

6. Process of Approval of Consultancy Activity

Once a request is received, it must be communicated to the Principal and a formal consent should be obtained after which the consultant must inform the client and the work may commence.

7. Duration

Duration of the consultancy activity should not exceed three years. If needed, the client may seek further assistance by renewing the contract.

8. Components of Consultancy Fee

The consultancy fee may comprise the following:

Consultant Fees: This will include charges for the time and expertise of the consultant.

Operational Expenses: Consumables, contingencies, travel, daily allowances, honorarium for staff and students, and all other costs associated with the consultancy project can be included here. The cost of using college-owned equipments are also covered by these fees.

Overheads: Overheads will be charged at the rate of 10% of Operational Expense as applicable. The equipment maintenance and the expenses on use of infrastructure will be taken care of by the college from this fund.

Capital Equipment: This will include charges for the purchase of specific equipment for the implementation of consultancy projects.

Tax: Service tax and other applicable taxes

9. Payment schedule

The charges for any assignment are normally payable in advance. However, exceptions may be made with prior approval of the principal. Such a payment schedule should ensure that

10. Income Distribution

For consultancies that rely solely on a consultant’s time and expertise, she or he is entitled to keep 80% of the profit. When college resources are used, the income split ratio may be determined on the merits of the case; however, the institution’s share will not be less than 40%. The income earned by any individual from consultancy will be taxable as per the Income-tax Act, 1961. All financial transactions relating to the consultancy that are worth more than Rs. 5000/- will be processed via bank transfer to

and from the appropriate college account. Amounts of less than Rs. 5000 may be remitted at the college office.

Any immovable assets, in addition to the consultancy fee, amassed through the consultancy, shall belong to the college. Ownership of intellectual property shall be stated in the initial consultancy request.

11. Conflict of Interest and Dispute Resolution

A conflict of interest arises where an employee engages in consultancy which becomes deleterious to the interests of the college. Conflicts of interest, if any, must be immediately reported to the principal, and appropriate decisions should be initiated in consultation with the research council.

Any dispute arising out of consultancy must be placed in-front of the Principal, who may take a decision by him/herself or refer it to the Research Council Ethics committee for further resolution. Disputes, if any, shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the courts at Thrissur.

12. Code of Conduct

The conduct of the individuals associated with the consultancy should befit the prestige and reputation of the college. In cases of misappropriation and misconduct, disciplinary action may be initiated, as per the prevailing rules of the land. Clients receiving consultancy services are not permitted to use the name or logo of the college without prior permission of the Principal. All consultants should ensure that the activity is beneficial to the college and that it is kept within reasonable bounds. Travel out of the campus or leave on account of consultancy activities should be undertaken with intimation to the head of the department. Further, outstation travel for consultancy assignments may be undertaken normally with the prior approval of the Head of the Institute.

13. Implementation Procedures

The responsibility for the implementation of this policy shall lie with the Principal, via the Dean of Research. The Dean shall have wide authority and discretion to adopt administrative processes, guidance, forms, and interpretations necessary to effectively implement this policy and any procedures enacted. Copies of the consultancy initiating request and details of financial settlement must be kept in the office of the Dean of Research. Notwithstanding the above, and keeping in mind the best interests of the college, consultancy may be taken up in exceptional cases, not covered by the above rules, with prior approval of the Principal.

RESEARCH