European Universities' Guidance on Research Integrity and Misconduct: Accessibility, Approaches, and Content. (February 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Aubert Bonn, Noémie; Godecharle, Simon; Dierickx, Kris
• Is Part Of: Journal of empirical research on human research ethics. Volume 12:Number 1(2017)
• Page Start: 33
• Page End: 44
• Publication Date: 2017-02
• Subjects: research integrity -- misconduct -- research ethics -- ethical requirements -- code of conduct -- values of research -- guidance on research integrity -- European universities; Medical ethics -- Research -- Periodicals; Research -- Moral and ethical aspects -- Periodicals; 174.205
• DOI: 10.1177/1556264616688980
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1556-2646

Abstract

Research integrity is imperative to good science. Nonetheless, many countries and institutions develop their own integrity guidance, thereby risking incompatibilities with guidance of collaborating institutions. We retrieved guidance for academic integrity and misconduct of 18 universities from 10 European countries and investigated accessibility, general content, principles endorsed, and definitions of misconduct. Accessibility and content differ substantially between institutions. There are general trends of common principles of integrity and definitions of misconduct, yet differences remain. Parallel with previous research, we distinguish different approaches in integrity guidance; one emphasizes broad values of integrity, and the other details negative behaviors of misconduct. We propose that a balance between both approaches is necessary to preserve trust, meaning, and realism of guidance on research integrity.