Introducing a Research Ethics and Integrity
ModulesIntroducing a Research Ethics and Integrity
After completing this session, learners will be able to:
- Define research ethics and integrity and explain their importance in the context of academic research.
- Identify and articulate the core principles of research integrity, including honesty, transparency, objectivity, and accountability.
- Describe the key elements of the European Code of Conduct for Research Integrity and how they apply to research practices.
- Locate and utilize web-based resources to support and enhance research integrity in your academic work.
On Being a Scientist
Being a scientist entails a commitment to exploring the unknown, uncovering truths, and contributing to the collective understanding of the world. To become a scientist, one typically pursues higher education in a scientific field, such as obtaining a bachelor's degree, followed by a master's or doctoral degree.
Beyond formal education, curiosity, critical thinking skills, and a passion for discovery are essential qualities. Scientists have a responsibility to conduct research ethically, with integrity, and to communicate their findings accurately. They must also engage in peer review, collaborate with others, and contribute to the scientific community's body of knowledge. Ultimately, being a scientist is not just a profession but a calling a dedication to advancing human understanding and improving the world through rigorous inquiry and discovery.
Skills, knowledge, responsibilities
Any Scientist should be able to:
- critically and responsibly review scientific results for research and education purposes, i.e., carry out various types of literature reviews, e.g., systematic, scoping, etc.; and know the differences between them,
- publish the scientifically sound results of your work in domestic and international scientific journals (in English),
- identify and solve key ethical dilemmas regarding scientific publishing,
- provide scientifically sound reviews of scientific manuscripts,
- conduct independent and ethically correct research, design basic or applied research in your field of expertise,
- secure funding in a transparent way with a declared conflict of interest, and be able to write your own grant applications,
- present the unbiased results of your scientific work at conferences, workshops, and scientific meetings with a declared conflict of interest,
- assess new perspectives for paradigm shifts in your field of expertise, and
- last but not least:
Research Ethics and Integrity Defined
Research integrity aims to provide a comprehensive framework for scientists on how to carry out their work within accepted ethical frameworks and follow good scientific practices.
Defining research ethics and integrity
There is no universally accepted definition of research integrity, although it is generally understood to relate to the performance of research to the highest standards of professionalism and rigor in an ethically robust manner.
Research ethics
Research ethics (also referred to as Scientific ethics) could be defined as "ethical principles-driven decision-making in research based on potential impact on subjects of research and wider society" (The European Network for Academic Integrity, 2018).
Research integrity
Research integrity (or Scientific integrity) is defined as "compliance with ethical and professional principles, standards, and practices by individuals or institutions in research" (The European Network for Academic Integrity, 2018).
Why is it important?
Research integrity is crucial to preserving the trustworthiness of the research system and its results. It encompasses the basic responsibility of the research community to formulate the principles of research, define the criteria for proper research behavior, maximize the quality, reliability, and robustness of research and its results, and respond adequately to threats to or violations of good research practices.
Research results in this context include, but are not limited to, publications, data, metadata, protocols, code, software, images, artifacts, and other research materials and methods.
Glossary for Academic Integrity
Lost in terminology? Check the ENAI's Glossary for Academic Integrity, which was developed by an international team. The Glossary comprises more than two hundred terms related to academic integrity. The terms are presented in alphabetical order, along with a definition.
Further reading:
The following paper sets out seven key reasons why Science Europe Member Organizations and research organizations, in general, should be concerned about promoting research integrity in their research communities.
Science Europe. (2015). Seven reasons to care about integrity in research. https://doi.org/10.5281/ZENODO.5060023
[1] ALLEA. (2023) The European Code of Conduct for Research Integrity – Revised Edition 2023. http://www.doi.org/10.26356/ECOC
[2] Tauginienė, L., Gaižauskaitė, I., Glendinning, I., Kravjar, J., Ojsteršek, M., Ribeiro, L., Odiņeca, T., Marino, F., Cosentino, M., Sivasubramaniam, S., Foltýnek, T. (2018). Glossary for Academic Integrity. ENAI
[3] Science Europe. (2015). Briefing paper 'Research integrity: What it means, why it is important and how we might protect it'. https://www.scienceeurope.org/our-resources/briefing-paper-on-research-integrity-what-it-means-why-it-is-important-and-how-we-might-protect-itWhat is research integrity?
Click on the link below to watch a short video explaining research integrity made by the H2020 INTEGRITY project.
Singapore Statement on Research Integrity
The publication of the Singapore Statement on Research Integrity is intended to challenge governments, organizations, and researchers to develop more comprehensive standards, codes, and policies to promote research integrity both locally and globally.
The principles and responsibilities set out in the Singapore Statement on Research Integrity represent the first international effort to encourage the development of unified policies, guidelines, and codes of conduct, with the long-range goal of fostering greater integrity in research worldwide. The Statement is the product of the collective effort and insights of the 340 individuals from 51 countries who participated in the 2nd World Conference on Research Integrity.
The Statement applies to anyone who does research, to any organization that sponsors research, and to any country that uses research results in decision-making. Good research practices are expected of all researchers, government, corporate, and academic.
Principles:
- Honesty in all aspects of research
- Accountability in the conduct of research
- Professional courtesy and fairness in working with others
- Good stewardship of research on behalf of others
The European Code of Conduct for Research Integrity
The European Code of Conduct for Research Integrity serves the European research community as a framework for self-regulation across all scientific and scholarly disciplines and for all research settings.
The 2023 Revised Edition of the European Code of Conduct for Research Integrity has been updated to ensure that the European Code of Conduct remains fit for purpose and relevant to all disciplines, emerging areas of research, and new research practices. The European Commission recognizes the European Code of Conduct as the primary standard for upholding research integrity across all research projects funded by the EU.
Fundamental principles of research integrity
Good research practices are based on fundamental principles of research integrity. The European Code of Conduct sets four principles to guide individuals, institutions, and organisations in their work as well as in their engagement with the practical, ethical, and intellectual challenges inherent in research.
These principles include:
- Reliability in ensuring the quality of research, reflected in the design, methodology, analysis, and use of resources.
- Honesty in developing, undertaking, reviewing, reporting, and communicating research in a transparent, fair, full, and unbiased way.
- Respect for colleagues, research participants, research subjects, society, ecosystems, cultural heritage, and the environment.
- Accountability for the research from idea to publication, for its management and organisation, for training, supervision, and mentoring, and for its wider societal impacts.
Defining "Good Research Practices"
The European Code of Conduct also describes more action-oriented norms, categorized as good research practices in the following contexts:
- Research Environment
- Training, Supervision, and Mentoring
- Research Procedures
- Safeguards
- Data Practices and Management
- Collaborative Working
- Publication, Dissemination, and Authorship
- Reviewing and Assessment
Do the Task: The European Code of Conduct
On the previous page, you familiarized yourself with the European Code of Conduct for Research Integrity. Now, it is time to reflect on and apply your new knowledge.
Your task is to choose one of the categories from the European Code of Conduct (e.g., research environment, training, supervision, etc.) and consider two examples:
- What aspects of your current research align with the European Code of Conduct?
- What aspects of your current research could be improved according to the European Code of Conduct?
Ready to do a task on your own?
Science Europe is the organization representing major public organizations that fund or perform excellent, ground-breaking research in Europe. It brings together the expertise of some of the largest and most respected European research organizations to jointly push the frontiers of how scientific research is produced and delivers benefits to society.
Your task is to browse Science Europe's website and get familiar with its content.
Discover Science Europe’s comprehensive library of resources, including the most recent publications, briefings, and position statements. Learn what policy priorities Science Europe is currently addressing and what the key action areas are in the research policy landscape.
Click on Explore: Science Europe website to open the resource.Explore: ENAI website
The European Network for Academic Integrity is an association gathering educational institutions and individuals interested in maintaining and promoting academic integrity. Their mission is to support higher education institutions to work together in the field of academic integrity.
Your task is to get familiar with the website of the European Network for Academic Integrity.
Search the database of educational materials, check the guidelines on research integrity available, and get familiar with the self-evaluation tools.
Click on Explore: ENAI website to open the resource.Explore: The Embassy of Good Science website
The Embassy of Good Science is a place where the community can share experiences and insights, deepening understanding, and continuously contribute to the development of good science.
The Embassy is a community platform offering support in handling day-to-day research practices and dilemmas. The platform is a wiki – allowing users to contribute their knowledge and expertise.
The Embassy is a unique ‘go to’ place, a public square where the community of researchers can gather to discuss ‘hot topics’, share knowledge, and find guidance and support to perform science responsibly and with integrity.
Your task is to browse The Embassy of Good Science website and explore the platform's offerings.
Search the database of educational materials, check the guidelines on research integrity available, and get familiar with the self-evaluation tools.
Click on Explore: The Embassy of Good Science website to open the resource.Remarks
