Recommendations for the Investigation of Research Misconduct

How should research misconduct be defined and how will it differ from unacceptable research practices? How should allegations be handled? What if an allegation involves several institutions and/or researchers in different countries?  Why is it important to have a formal research integrity system in each European country to deal with research misconduct and is there any best model? Where should countries with no RI structures start? Should responsibility be local or national?  What about openness and transparency versus confidentiality when dealing with possible misconduct cases?

The RI Handbook is available online. Click here

These are among the questions or issues a working group, consisting of ENRIO members from some twenty countries, has been discussing during several ENRIO meetings. The working group concluded at an early stage that there is no one model or system that fits all circumstances as the situation is very different across Europe. Still, there is room and need for soft harmonisation.

The publication is called a Handbook. It is a kind of consensus document although representing different views on different topics reflecting a diversified European picture when it comes to experiences and lessons learned. How can we learn from each other? The Handbook has a set of “practical step by step” recommendations or things to consider when dealing with possible research misconduct or unaccepted practices. It is the presumption that such recommendations will be especially important for countries who, for different reasons, are struggling with setting up a uniform and robust system for dealing with research misconduct or integrity but hopefully it will also serve as a basis for discussions and considerations in countries with established RI structures be it on a local and/or national level.

Time will show whether such a Handbook is really needed. If so, it will, of course, have to be revised over time to remain aligned with future developments within European countries and across the constantly changing field of research integrity.

by Torkild Vinther, Chair of the ENRIO working group on Investigation &
Chair Commission for Research Integrity, LARI (Luxemburg Agency for Research Integrity)  

The ENERI Handbook on RI (Recommendations for the Investigation of Research Misconduct) is available online. Click here

The ENERI Handbook was translated into french. Click here