Strategy for boosting integrity of research is launched in UK

Leading research funders have signed an agreement outlining the high standards of integrity and research practice that researchers and the organisations that employ them will be expected to meet to secure funding.

The Concordat to support research integrity aims to provide a comprehensive national framework to aid the production of research founded on rigour, integrity, and excellence recognising the different responsibilities of researchers, employers of researchers, and funders under each if its five commitments.

It has been signed by the Department of Employment and Learning, Higher Education Funding Council for England, Higher Education Funding Council for Wales, Department of Health, Research Councils UK, Scottish Funding Council, Universities UK, and the Wellcome Trust.

The document acknowledges that there is a need for the research community to promote what it does more effectively “through greater openness and transparency” and to ensure it is “adhering to consistently high standards.” This involves embedding research integrity within institutional processes, through the training and practice of researchers, and …