Research practice training and tests

All PGRs should complete academic integrity, research integrity and research ethics training. DClinPsychol PGRs should follow programme specific guidance around research practice training and tests.

These should be included in your training plan and completed within the first six months of study (nine months for part-time study), before the first formal progress review stage. 

We understand that you are experienced in producing academic work and are likely to be familiar with the practices and conventions covered in the training. Nevertheless, the training will ensure that your formal assessments at the transfer and thesis examination stages meet the University’s academic integrity and research integrity expectations. By following the guidance, you can be sure that your work meets the University’s academic and research integrity expectations. 

Academic integrity tutorials and tests   

The PGR Academic integrity tutorial is split into two parts: ‘Essentials’ and ‘Advanced’.  You should complete both parts unless you are a DClinPsychol PGR. DClinPsychol PGRs should follow programme specific guidance for Academic Integrity training.

Access both tutorials via Minerva – look for the ‘PGR Academic Integrity’ folder. 

If you have any trouble accessing the tutorial, please check that you have completed registration for your studies (allow one day after registration before attempting to access). If you are still having difficulty, contact IT.

Research integrity and research ethics online training   

This training is made up of two courses and introduces your responsibility to fully consider the ethical implications of your work and apply the core principles of research integrity. 

Alongside the training, please talk to your supervisors about research ethics and the possible requirement for ethical approval before starting your project.   

Each online course will take around 30 minutes. You can access both the research integrity training and the research ethics training through the OD&PL Training Catalogue.

Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) skills and training modules 

There is also training to develop your skills in using GenAI as well as guidance for postgraduate researchers.  

You should familiarise yourself with this guidance and also complete the mandatory training, which will help you understand both the opportunities and the ethical challenges of the technology, so you can use it in line with University expectations. 

There are two training courses PGRs will need to complete: 

• The mandatory AI course 'Using GenAI at Leeds' – this provides all University of Leeds students and PGRs with a shared foundation for using Generative AI safely, responsibly and ethically. 
• Intermediate training for taught students and PGRs – this intermediate training explores tools for literature review, including how to analyse journal articles using Microsoft Copilot. 

Other academic integrity training and support 

If you have any other queries about academic integrity, you should talk to your supervisors, Director of PGR Studies, or your Graduate School. 

There are several resources to support PGRs with academic integrity: 

• Understanding the Turnitin Similarity Report: What is it, and how is it used at the University of Leeds – this optional resource is for postgraduate researchers and can be used at any point throughout your academic career. It provides additional information about how the Turnitin Similarity Report is interpreted by staff at the University of Leeds. It can also be used to revise good academic practice when using sources. It is not compulsory to complete this resource. 
• Support with academic writing is available from several teams across the University – see the postgraduate training and research skills page for more information.  
• The Researcher@Library website includes various sources of support and advice for PGRs, as well as courses that are available to book. They also have resources covering academic integrity and plagiarism.