Research integrity officers

Themes

Research integrity officers

What is this about?

A research integrity officer (RIO) serves a complex, exacting, and unique role within their institution. In one week, they may serve as judge, mediator, counselor, teacher, and regulations manager. They could have the Centers for Disease Control on the phone while a graduate student cries in their office. The RIO is one of the most intricate and unique positions in academia.

Why is this important?

An institution’s RIO promotes responsible research, conducts research training, discourages research misconduct, and deals with allegations or evidence of possible research misconduct (1). Throughout a week, they may present training seminars about responsible research, update definitions of research standards, and investigate allegations of misconduct. Each particular task fulfils the RIOs mission to prevent and mitigate research misconduct. They work for the good of their institution and the whole scientific community.

The consequences of scientific misconduct are far-reaching. Perpetrators, whistle-blowers, other researchers in the field, the scientific community, and even the general public feel its effects. Perpetrators can have papers retracted, their faculty positions revoked, and their labs closed down. Whistle-blowers can end up with damaged careers. The general public can lose faith in the scientific community. Plagiarism, fabrication, and falsification are major threats to the practice of science. Without research integrity officers, this threat would loom much larger.

When a case of possible research misconduct appears, RIOs spring into action. They take an active role in the investigation by conducting interviews and inspecting data. They protect whistle-blowers from retaliation. They educate those involved about their rights. If needed, they link the institution to oversight agencies who continue to pursue investigations.

== For whom is this important? ==

For whom is this important?

phd students

The Embassy Editorial team, The Embassy editorial team, Giulia Inguaggiato, Iris Lechner, Rosie Hastings, Andrijana Perković Paloš, Luke Hollomon, Vicko Tomic contributed to this theme. Latest contribution was Oct 22, 2021

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