National Statement on Scientific Integrity (2015), COSCE, crue, CSIC

What is this about?

The National Statement on Scientific Integrity (2015), authored by COSCE, CRUE, and CSIC, is a national framework designed to promote responsible research practices in Spain. Issued in both Spanish and English, it articulates principles of honesty, accountability, professional courtesy, and stewardship, connecting them to reproducibility, credibility, and public trust in science. The statement outlines responsibilities for researchers, institutions, funders, and journals, covering good practices in planning, conducting, publishing, and reviewing research. It includes provisions on authorship, citation, conflict of interest management, transparency of data and methods, supervision, and peer review. Procedures for addressing misconduct are detailed, ensuring fair investigations, proportional sanctions, and opportunities for improvement. Education and training are emphasised, embedding integrity as a teachable skill. The statement also addresses emerging issues like open science, digital tools, and data management, while highlighting equity and diversity as central to trustworthy research. By aligning with international standards, it enhances researcher mobility, global comparability, and institutional credibility.

Why is this important?

National Statement on Scientific Integrity distils national expectations for research integrity in Spain and clarifies what researchers and institutions in Spain 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 COSCE, crue, CSIC in 2015, 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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