Research ethics education at Kobe University

April 1,2026

To all members of Kobe University

To prevent research misconduct, Kobe University mandates the completion of research ethics education via e-learning for the "Target participants" listed below. This policy is based on the "Rules on Prevention of Misconduct in Academic Research Activities at Kobe University" (enacted Oct 26, 2006).

Failure to undergo this education may result in restrictions on applying for or executing public research funds, including KAKENHI (Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research), or the inability to present research results at academic conferences or in journals.

We appreciate your prompt cooperation in completing this requirement.

Target participants

• Faculty members (including specially appointed faculty and those in organizations/offices, but excluding affiliated school teachers) and officers
• Researchers (including RAs and Research Support/Promotion Staff)
• Graduate students (*i)
• Others involved in academic research activities (excluding undergraduate students)

i. To conduct research based on academic conscience, it is essential to understand research ethics, including codes of conduct and methods for presenting results. Since 2022, all graduate students are required to participate to acquire knowledge necessary for their specific fields.

Required courses

Kobe University uses the APRIN e-Learning Program (eAPRIN) provided by the Association for the Promotion of Research Integrity. 

You must take Course A (common) every year and Course B (specialized) once every five years. Approximate study time is 1 hours for Course A and 2–3 hours for Course B. English versions of the materials are also available.

Timing and rules for completion

• Year of hiring/enrollment: You must take both Course A and Course B (select one field for B).
• Subsequent years: Take Course A every year and Course B once every five years.
• Deadline: Completion must be finalized within the applicable academic year. In principle, please complete the courses by the end of the month following your month of hiring or enrollment.
• Course B exemption: You may be exempt at the time of hiring/enrollment if you have recently completed eAPRIN or the JSPS "eL CoRE" and submit your Course completion report.

System access

After receiving your login ID and password from your department, log in from the URL below:

• eAPRIN login: https://edu.aprin.or.jp/  

Reference materials:

• User’s manual  (English version)  ［Revised edition scheduled for release in April 2026］
• List of courses and key module contents 
   

For undergraduate students

While eAPRIN is not mandatory for undergraduate students, they will learn about academic rules through the "First-year seminar" and the leaflet「神大の研究者」としての“マナー”　（"Manners as a Kobe University Researcher").

Undergraduate students may take eAPRIN if required by their laboratory or at their own discretion after consulting their faculty coordinator.

Related information

In addition to the above, the university is undertaking initiatives to raise awareness of research ethics, such as creating and distributing pamphlets and posters summarizing research ethics.
Furthermore, various funding agencies also produce educational materials and pamphlets related to research ethics education, which are available for use; please utilize these resources as a way to deepen your understanding of research ethics.
 

Pamphlets and posters

・神戸大学で学術研究活動に携わる皆様へ（パンフレット）（令和５年１月）

　To All Members Involved in Academic Research Activities at Kobe University (Pamphlet) (January 2023)

・「神大の研究者」としての“マナー”（学生向け啓発リーフレット）（令和３年３月）

　Manners as a Kobe University Researcher (Awareness leaflet for students) (March 2021)

・神戸大学研究不正行為防止の啓発（ポスター）（令和２年１１月）

　Awareness for the Prevention of Research Misconduct at Kobe University (Poster) (November 2020)

Portal site

Text materials

・For the Sound Development of Science -The Attitude of a Conscientious Scientist- | Research Integrity (Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS))

・To All Researchers -Conduct for Responsible Research Activities-(Japan Science and Technology Agency(JST))

e-Learning materials

・e-Learning Course on Research Ethics[eL CoRE] (Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS))

Video materials

・THE LAB(Japan Science and Technology Agency(JST))

・"Gaps in ethics" (Japan Science and Technology Agency(JST))

Case studies

・Responsible Research Practices to Learn from Cases – A Casebook to Instill Awareness and Learning –(Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED))

・A Compendium of Near-Miss Incidents Related to Research Integrity(Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED))