New edition of UKRIO Self-Assessment Tool for Concordat to Support Research Integrity
UKRIO has published a new edition of its Self-Assessment Tool for the Concordat to Support Research Integrity
We have fully revised our guidance to reflect the second edition of the Concordat published in 2019. This new edition of the Self-Assessment Tool includes:
- A summary of changes to the second edition of the Concordat and the minimum compliance standards required by the Concordat Signatories.
- Updated self-assessment tables, reflecting the new content and requirements of the 2019 edition of the Concordat.
- New discussion on the implementation of the Concordat and avoidance of a ‘tick box’ approach.
- Expanded discussion of the content of institutional annual statements on research integrity.
- An Appendix setting out a comparison of key elements of the 2012 and 2019 editions of the Concordat, including the changing responsibilities of researchers, employers and funders, and of key definitions used in the two editions.
Our Self-Assessment Tool, which has received exceptional feedback since its launch in 2014, helps institutions identify areas of their research practices, policies and culture that may need revision in order to comply with the Concordat. It also goes further than helping with compliance, allowing institutions to consider how they might carry out a broad implementation of the Concordat, building on existing activities to safeguard and enhance research quality and a healthy research culture.
The guidance poses self-assessment questions for institutions, each mapped onto one or more commitments of the Concordat. For each question, this document also introduces practical ways in which they might be met, as examples of how the Concordat might be implemented. The guidance also explores the particular challenges involved in implementing the Concordat and makes suggestions on what might be included in annual institutional statements on research integrity, a key requirement of the Concordat.
Guidance is given on every aspect of the Concordat but particular attention has been paid to areas where UKRIO has most often been approached for guidance, in the hope of passing on lessons learned to the research community. Use of the self-assessment questions will not only help with the implementation of the Concordat, but also enhance an institution’s overall approach to research integrity and help ensure that important issues have not been overlooked.
Download the publication here:
We are also publishing a variety of materials to support the Self-Assessment Tool and the initial supporting materials can be viewed here.