Code of Practice for Research: Promoting good practice and preventing misconduct
Code of Practice for Research: Promoting good practice and preventing misconduct
The Code of Practice for Research has been produced as part of our core function to promote good practice in the governance, management and general conduct of research in universities, NHS organisations and the private and charitable sectors. UKRIO is committed to promoting good conduct in research by providing the research community with practical guidance on the issues which need to be addressed and facilitating the sharing of existing good practice.
The Code addresses long-standing concerns in the research community about research misconduct and questionable practices. The UK has a world-class reputation for conducting exceptional and innovative research and for producing researchers of the highest calibre.
UKRIO has now produced the Code of Practice for Research, a reference tool to support researchers and research organisations in the conduct of research of the highest quality. The Code can help research organisations ensure that important issues have not been overlooked and applies to all types of research.
We appreciate that there are many sources of guidance on the conduct of research. Our intent is that research organisations can use the principles and standards outlined as benchmarks when drafting or revising their own, more detailed, codes of practice. Use of the benchmarks contained in the Code can assist research organisations in fulfilling the requirements of regulatory, funding and other relevant bodies and ensure that important issues have not been overlooked.
Drawing upon UKRIO's unique and extensive experiences in addressing good conduct and misconduct in research, the Code provides principles and standards for researchers and research organisations and also includes a Recommended Checklist for Researchers: a one-page, non-technical checklist for the key points of good practice in research, based on the more detailed standards provided by the Code.
At the launch of the Code in September 2009, Professor Sir Ian Kennedy, Chair of the Board of UKRIO said: "UKRIO is increasingly providing support to universities and NHS Trusts who recognise that research misconduct and questionable practices can tarnish the UK's well-earned reputation as a centre of excellence in research. The Code is a vital part of our continuing work to encourage good conduct in research and to help to prevent misconduct, setting out the responsibilities and values critical to research, as well as providing practical guidance for researchers and their employers."
Professor Dame Sally C. Davies, Director-General of Research and Development at the Department of Health said: "I am delighted to see the UK Research Integrity Office continuing to deliver tools that enable researchers and their employers to maintain this country's international reputation in research and innovation. We rely on excellent, sound research to improve health and healthcare for patients and their families."
Individuals and organisations who would like to receive a hard copy of the Code should contact UKRIO.
The Code and a separate version of the Recommended Checklist are also available as PDFs:
UKRIO Code of Practice for Research: Promoting good practice and preventing misconduct (567KB)
Recommended Checklist for Researchers (25KB)
Press release for the publication of the Code: UKRIO Code of Practice for Research press release 01 10 09.pdf
Launch of web-based version of UKRIO's Code of Practice for Research, to inform the review of the publication
UKRIO's Code of Practice is a 'living document' and the intent is to periodically review it, to reflect changes in legislation and guidance, and other developments in good practice in research. UKRIO is actively seeking feedback on the current edition to inform its review.
To that end, we have published an online version of the Code here, including a mechanism for the research community to submit feedback on specific sections and suggest new developments in good practice in research for inclusion. We would welcome your comments on the current edition of the Code.
University of Edinburgh adopts UKRIO's Code of Practice for Research
The research community has responded very positively to the publication of UKRIO's Code of Practice for Research, a reference tool to support researchers and research organisations in the conduct of research of the highest quality. We regularly receive enquiries from individuals and institutional representatives on its use and adoption.
The University of Edinburgh recently announced that it, like many other research organisations, is adopting our Code. Hamish MacAndrew, Head of Research Support and Development at Edinburgh Research and Innovation stated:
"The UKRIO Code sets the gold standard and is regularly reviewed to take into account changes in legislation, and to reflect national and international best practice. I think that colleagues will find it a very readable and practical guide."
UKRIO welcomes the adoption of the Code by the University of Edinburgh and other research organisations. A formal survey on the use and uptake of UKRIO's published standards for research is planned for later in 2010.
Summary analysis of the 2008 consultation on UKRIO's draft Code of Practice for Research
In 2008, we consulted the research community on a draft version of the Code of Practice for Research. Over one hundred submissions were received, the vast majority of which were positive. We appreciate that the respondents considered the questions that we had asked, and wider issues of good practice in research, so thoroughly.
The Code has now been revised following the valuable feedback given during the consultation. Particular attention has been paid to those areas of the Code which were considered by some to be unclear or excessively prescriptive.
Professor Sir Ian Kennedy, the Chair of UKRIO, wrote to respondents on 27th July 2008 to thank them for their very helpful comments and inform them of UKRIO's response. A copy of the letter is available here.
A summary of the analysis of the responses to the consultation to UKRIO's draft Code of Practice for Research is available here.
UKRIO would like to thank the individuals and organisations who participated in the consultation for their contribution to the development of the Code.
