Promoting Integrity as an Integral Dimension of Excellence in Research (Policy brief)
From The Embassy of Good Science
ResourcesGuidelines
Promoting Integrity as an Integral Dimension of Excellence in Research (Policy brief)
Related Initiative
What is this about?
This policy brief from the PRINTEGER project presents recommendations for science policy makers and research managers on how to embed research integrity into the core of research excellence rather than treating it as an add-on. It begins by noting that the proliferation of codes, guidelines, and institutional policies can overwhelm researchers and institutions, often resulting in fragmentation and inconsistency. Therefore, PRINTEGER advocates shifting the focus from individual misconduct to organisational and systemic responsibility, and linking integrity with broader research governance, evaluation, and related policies (e.g. data protection). The brief includes conceptual clarifications about the relationships between “research integrity” and “misconduct,” arguing they should not be treated as direct opposites but as distinct yet related domains. It presents a set of recommendations, such as combining virtue-based and principle-based integrity policies, involving researchers in policy design, making integrity part of evaluation and incentives, clarifying misconduct procedures, and aligning with legal and ethical frameworks (including GDPR)
Why is this important?
This brief matters because it addresses the persistent gap between integrity policies (written rules) and how research is actually conducted. By insisting that integrity be integral to how research is organised, governed, evaluated, and rewarded, it helps reduce hypocrisy, confusion, and perverse incentives. Embedding integrity at institutional and systemic levels makes research more trustworthy, robust, and aligned with public expectations. Moreover, clarifying concepts and procedures reduces ambiguity and legal risk, supporting fair, transparent, and consistent integrity governance across institutions and nations.
