Researcher ownership
The client must understand, approve and defend the problem, methods, evidence, analysis and interpretation.
Academic Integrity Charter
Support the researcher. Do not replace the researcher.
The client remains the intellectual author, decision-maker and person accountable to the relevant university, journal, employer or funder.
Developmental assistance
Advice may diagnose, critique, explain, demonstrate and recommend. It must not create a concealed substitute author.
Evidence integrity
No fabrication of data, participants, approvals, citations, findings or analyses.
Institutional compliance
The client must follow the relevant programme, supervisor, ethics committee, journal and funder rules.
Responsible AI use
AI output is unverified assistance. Material use should be disclosed where required and sensitive data protected.
Confidentiality
Only necessary information should be shared. Identifiable or proprietary data requires an agreed secure process.
Permitted support
- Problem and framework diagnosis
- Search strategy and evidence mapping
- Methodology, measurement and model consultation
- Data-quality, analysis and interpretation coaching
- Critical review of researcher-developed drafts
- Defence practice and correction planning
Prohibited work
- Producing assessed work as the client’s unaided submission
- Fabricating or manipulating data, sources or approvals
- Impersonating the client
- Concealing assistance where disclosure is required
- Completing prohibited examinations or tests
- Promising grades, approval or publication
Where rules differ
Universities and journals define editing, statistical support and AI use differently. The applicable institutional rule takes priority. Obtain written guidance where the boundary is unclear.
Sources informing this charter
Ethical support begins with a clear diagnosis.
The free audit provides initial direction while preserving researcher ownership and institutional boundaries.