On 14 January 2021, the President decided to adopt Stockholm University’s first research integrity and ethics policy, which came into force on the same date. The policy aims to clarify the University’s overall view as regards protecting and promoting good research practice. It introduces the foundations for this work as well as the distribution of responsibilities within the organisation. The policy is directed primarily to those who conduct or participate in research or similar activities at the University.
Two main parts in the policy
The policy consists of two main parts. One presents basic principles of good research practice, primarily with reference to the European Code of Conduct for Research Integrity (published by ALLEA in 2017), as well as general starting points for the University’s work to promote good research practice. The second part describes how responsibility for good research practice is distributed within the organisation, at the overall level, at individual level, through certain roles and tasks, and concerning administrative support.
Research ethics issues vital
The decision to develop the policy was based on an internal inquiry, which highlighted the need to clarify how the University intends to fulfil its responsibility for ensuring that research at the University is conducted in accordance with good research practice.
“The establishment of a policy, combined with its being made known, also sends a signal both internally and externally that research integrity and ethics issues are seen as important and that everyone must take responsibility for promoting good research practice. The policy is intended to help ensuring responsible behaviour and compliance in the research integrity and ethics area,” says Jonas Åkerman, Research Integrity and Ethics Coordinator at the Office for Research, Engagement and Innovation Services.
Important to have a basic understanding of ethical guidelines
According to Jonas Åkerman, it is important for researchers who are planning a study to bear in mind that research integrity and ethics issues can arise at all stages of their research. Nor is it always clear when research begins – sometimes it evolves more gradually.In the initial stages, it is particularly important to plan and design research so that it can be conducted in accordance with applicable rules and guidelines, for instance by allocating sufficient time to obtain authorisation where required, for example when research involves animals, humans or personal data.
“At bottom, research integrity and ethics is very much about making sure that the expected value of research outweighs the risks involved in conducting it, although there are of course limits to what is considered acceptable. All researchers need to have a basic understanding of the ethical guidelines and practices that have been developed within the research community, but at the same time it’s important that they seek support when their own knowledge is insufficient,” says Jonas Åkerman.
Information meetings
During the spring, several information meetings and seminars will be held on research integrity and ethics issues, such as the information meeting on ethical review of research involving humans and personal data in English on 15 April. Other activities will be announced shortly, several of which will concern the research integrity and ethics policy.
Where to go if you have questions about research ethics
As a researcher, you can turn to the ethics support function at the Office for Research, Engagement and Innovation Services for advice on ethical review, guidelines, good research practice, research misconduct and other aspects of research integrity and ethics. Read more.
You can also email questions to etik@fs.su.se.