Policy statement on ensuring research integrity in Ireland (2020), National Research Integrity Forum

What is this about?

The Policy Statement on Ensuring Research Integrity in Ireland (2020), published by the National Research Integrity Forum, provides a national framework to uphold responsible research practices across Ireland. It formalises principles of honesty, accountability, professional courtesy, and stewardship, linking these values to reproducibility, credibility, and societal trust. The policy defines responsibilities for researchers, supervisors, institutions, funders, and journals, outlining good practice in planning, conducting, publishing, and reviewing research. Key provisions cover authorship, citation, conflict of interest management, data transparency, supervision, and fair peer review. It also establishes procedures for addressing misconduct, ensuring due process, proportional sanctions, and learning opportunities. Education and training are embedded to teach integrity as a core skill, while guidance on open science, digital tools, and data management reflects contemporary research challenges. Equity and diversity are emphasised as integral to credible research environments. By aligning with international standards, the policy reinforces comparability, researcher mobility, and global trust in Irish research.

Why is this important?

Policy statement on ensuring research integrity in Ireland distils national expectations for research integrity in Ireland and clarifies what researchers and institutions in Ireland need to do to comply. It reduces ambiguity, aligns local practice with international norms, and offers actionable steps that improve transparency, reproducibility, and equitable access. For policy leads, it is a benchmark; for authors and administrators, it is a practical checklist. Published by National Research Integrity Forum in 2020, it is a credible reference to cite in institutional policies, training, and grant documentation.

For whom is this important?

All stakeholders in research

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