Research integrity at the College

Public trust and confidence in our research outputs are at the heart of our governance structures.

Conducting research in a way which allows others to have trust and confidence in the methods used and the findings that result"

Research integrity (RI) is conducting research in a way which allows others to have trust and confidence in the methods used and the findings in that result. It is not just a reflection of the individual research project, but of the institution, its researchers and the wider research community.

Research Integrity applies to the whole research lifecycle, from preparation and submission of grant and project proposals to the publication and dissemination of findings.
 

Research integrity at the College

The College has adopted the Council for Science and Technology's Universal Ethical Code for Scientists and upholds its three principles, which are:
 
  • Rigour, Honesty and Integrity
  • Respect for Life, the Law and the Public Good
  • Responsible Communications: Listening and Informing

The College is a signatory to the Concordat to Support Research Integrity, which seeks to provide a national framework for good research conduct and its governance. It includes five major commitments:

  • Upholding the highest standards of rigour and integrity in all aspects of research
  • Ensuring that research is conducted according to appropriate ethical, legal and professional frameworks, obligations and standards
  • Supporting a research environment that is underpinned by a culture of integrity and based on good governance, best practice, and support for the development of researchers
  • Using transparent, timely, robust and fair processes to deal with allegations of research misconduct should they arise
  • Working together to strengthen the integrity of research and to review progress regularly and openly

Image from a laboratory for illustration

Why do we promote research integrity?

It is important that research is carried out to the highest possible standards of quality and ethics, in order to retain the public’s trust and ensure taxpayer money is well spent. Research findings are used to inform public policy, and public trust and confidence in our research outputs are at the heart of our governance structures. Researchers must also be able to trust each others work and the public must be able to trust research. For research to be of the highest standard, it must be robust and free from outside influences.

It is important that research ethics and integrity are considered at all stages of research and adhering to good standards of practice  to help avoid mistakes, 'questionable research practices' and research misconduct . Research misconduct happens when standards of ethics and integrity are disregarded or ignored.

The safety, dignity and rights of research participants is of paramount importance and must be considered as part of the ethical review process. Ethics approval is needed for any research that involves human participants; their tissue and /or data. The Obtaining ethics approval page provides further information on this.