Procedure for the Investigation of Misconduct in Research
UKRIO, as part of its mission to offer advice and guidance to universities and other research organisation on matters of research conduct, has published a standard procedure for the investigation of allegations of misconduct in research. Drawing upon existing good practice in this area and consultations with the Members of Universities UK, it is applicable to all fields of research; although initially drafted with research in relation to health and biomedical sciences particularly in mind, organisations will be able to use the Procedure to investigate alleged misconduct in any area of research.
The Procedure is designed to meet a need that may arise infrequently in research organisations but, when it does, can have wide-ranging and damaging consequences, harming both people and institutions. The UKRIO Procedure offers a standardised and clearly defined protocol to investigate allegations of misconduct fairly and thoroughly, and with sensitivity and confidentiality.
The objectives of the Procedure are to:
- ensure that an investigation of alleged misconduct in research is thorough and fair;
- demonstrate that, by using an agreed standard process, there should be fewer errors in the conduct of investigations; and
- reassure those who are under investigation that the process will follow a standard procedure adopted nationally by universities and other research organisations.
The Procedure contains principles to inform the conduct of investigations of alleged misconduct and to ensure that they are carried out with the highest standards of integrity, accuracy and fairness. In addition, the Procedure contains a clear definition of what is misconduct in research.
Copies of the publication are available from UKRIO on request. A PDF of the publication can be downloaded here.
