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Policy Brief on Research Integrity

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Policy Brief on Research Integrity No 4 November 2018 RESEARCH INTEGriTY Summary Research integrity can be understood as a summary of respon- sibilities for the research community on one hand, and as a reassurance of society’s trust in the outcomes of research on the other. Research integrity is a key strategic dimension of the Horizon 2020 Programme “Science with and for Society” and is part of the Responsible Research and Innovation concept. This brief aims to provide a concise definition, explanation and con- text, along with useful (online) resources on research integrity. 1. What is research integrity There are different terms for this area of ethics in research. In this document we are using the term research integrity, as it is already established in the terminology of competent European authorities. Other terms are used in Europe and indeed around the world, terms such as “integrity on scientific research”, “re- sponsible conduct of research”, “code of ethics for science”, “code of practice for research” and “good scientific practice”. Research integrity is generally understood to mean the per- formance of research according to the highest standards of professionalism and rigour, in an ethically robust manner. The behaviours espoused by ethics and research integrity should ensure the accuracy and truth of the research record- ed in publications and elsewhere1. Behaving responsibly and keeping the integrity in research implies that researchers re- port their work honestly, accurately, efficiently and objectively. It also requires them to use honest and verifiable methods in proposing, performing and evaluating research, to report ac- curate results with respect to rules, to follow commonly ac- cepted professional norms and not allow personal bias to influence scientific findings. Indeed, the credibility of science relies on the quality and reproducibility of results2. 1 Briefing paper on Research Integrity: What it means, Why it is important and How we might protect it. Science Europe, December 2015, 2 Prof. Pere Puigdomenech, EGE SiS.net is the international network of National Contact Points (NCPs) for Science with and for Society (SwafS) funded by the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation Horizon 2020. www.sisnetwork.eu (grant agreement 635656) Contact: [email protected] The World Conference on Research Integrity 2010 in 2. Why do we need research integrity? Singapore5 defined core principles and responsibilities Education, research and innovation are basic pillars of in research as follows: contemporary advanced society. Due to immense op- Honesty in all aspects of research, portunities in innovation and increasing technological » progress, huge expectations arise – expectations that » Accountability in the conduct of research, many needs and ambitions of European society can » Professional courtesy and fairness in working with be fulfilled. We are surrounded by advanced positive, others, and but also disruptive technological and societal changes » Good stewardship of research on behalf of others. initiated by research. We are dependent on the reliabil- Among other accepted principles there is objectivity, ity of the results of scientific work. The outcome and impartiality and independence, open communication, interpretation of research can be verified by the scien- duty of care, fairness and responsibility for future gen- tific community, but cannot be verified by the public erations of researchers. The norms for integrity on sci- - for whom the new knowledge is intended. Therefore, entific research vary according to different national cul- citizens need to have confidence in researchers. So the tures, and have specifics and regulations arising from first expectation of scientists is that they are reliable. If them. science is to remain trustworthy, researchers must lead There is a need for increased guidance on how or- a positive research culture. They have to follow basic ganisations may address research integrity and mis- moral principles and must internalise integrity and conduct6. Research institutions are required to com- honesty3. The very heart of trust in science lies in the ply with commonly accepted professional codes and trustworthiness of its researchers. norms, and have mechanisms for handling allegations of research misconduct. If talking about “science”, Education on good scientific practice is already con- you are speaking, sidered as an unambiguous part of the scientific career at the same time, about pains, path. However, in most European countries it is still in patience, tenacity, perseverance, the process of being established. Researchers and stu- sacrifice, honesty – all these dents at various stages of their career should receive are components instruction concerning: conflict of interest, responsible not only of an active life, authorship, data management and sharing, as well as but of the moral life as well4. policies regarding the use of human and animal sub- Thomas Garrigue Masaryk, 1935 jects. 4. Development and international context of research integrity In the Framework Programme Horizon 2020 research of research integrity 3. Principles integrity is mainly addressed under the concept of Re- The principles that are considered to constitute re- sponsible Research and Innovation (RRI). This concept search integrity vary in different statements and na- is gathering momentum and is considered an indis- tional policies and also across disciplines. Honesty and pensable part of project planning. reliability appear in nearly every statement. All Euro- The pioneers of research integrity in Europe were the pean Academies (ALLEA) issued the European Code of Scandinavian countries in the early 1990’s, while in the Conduct for Research Integrity. The ALLEA Code formu- USA the Office of Research Integrity (ORI) was estab- lates 4 main principles: honesty, reliability, respect and lished in 1989. accountability while, for example, the United States ORI Introduction to the Responsible Conduct of Research At the European level, the first body which posted re- involves honesty, accuracy, efficiency and objectivity. commendations on raising awareness and training on RI was the Science Europe Working Group on Research 3 Code of Ethics for Researchers of the Czech Academy of Sciences 4 Czechoslovak President Masaryk’s view of knowledge and science 5 World Conferences on Research Integrity Foundation (WCRI) from the book ”Talks with T. G. Masaryk” by Karel Capek 6 PRINTEGER Statement on Research Integrity 2 Integrity. The European project in 2016. Within Group on Ethics in Sci- a period of three years, ence and New Tech- ENERI aims to exchange nologies (EGE), as an in- expertise in the field of re- dependent advisory body search ethics and research of the President of the Euro- integrity and to harmonise pean Commission, is a further processes within ethics review important player providing the and investigation procedures for Commission with high quality and in- misconduct in research. dependent advice on Research Integrity and Research Ethics issues since 1991. ALLEA, the federation of All European Academies, Research integrity is published (together with the European Science Foun- at the very heart of the research dation) the European Code of Conduct for Research In- enterprise and is intrinsic tegrity in 2011, and revised it in 2017. This document to the value of research to society, aims to emphasize the responsibility linked to research and society’s trust in the outcomes and to serve the research community as a framework of this enterprise. for self-regulation. It describes professional, legal and Science Europe Briefing ethical responsibilities. The basic responsibilities of the Paper on Research Integrity, research community are: to formulate the principles 2015 of research, to define the criteria for proper research behaviour, to maximise the quality and robustness of research, and to respond adequately to threats to, or 5. Typical misbehaviour in research violations of, research integrity. Research misconduct is harmful for knowledge. It could The informal European Network of Research Integrity mislead other researchers, it may threaten individuals Offices (ENRIO) was founded in 2007 and brings to- or society – e.g. if it becomes a basis for unsafe drugs gether experts who deal with questions about research or unwise legislation – and, by subverting the public’s integrity. ENRIO, with approximately 30 member or- trust, it could lead to a disregard for research. ganisations from over 20 European countries, aims to Research misconduct is usually defined as fabrication, foster international cooperation. It raises awareness of falsification and plagiarism. However, different coun- research integrity, promotes trainings in good scientific tries and institutions add other unacceptable research practices, shares experiences in investigating allega- practices to their definition of research misconduct. tions of research misconduct and supports member The core research misconduct definition follows, as organisations in establishing national RI structures. well as other current examples of typical misbehaviour The European Network of Research Ethics and Re- in research: search Integrity (ENERI) was launched as an EU-funded 3 Research misconduct Fabrication Making up results and recording them as if they were real. Falsification Manipulating research results, equipment or processes, changing data. Plagiarism Using other people’s work and ideas without giving proper credit. Other unacceptable and questionable
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