We have a duty to ensure that the research we support is carried out to the highest standards of scientific and ethical practice. Researchers are required to be responsible and accountable for maintaining these standards throughout the conduct of their research.
All research organisations (ROs) in receipt of ESRC funds are required to have procedures in place for governing research practice to ensure sound scientific conduct, as set out in the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) policy and guidance on the governance of good research practice. This policy identifies requirements on reporting and investigation of allegations of research misconduct.
The UK Research Integrity Office (UKRIO) Code of Practice for Research and the European Science Foundation’s European Code of Conduct for Research Integrity are reference tools for ROs to use in conjunction with their own codes of practice for research, along with other relevant guidance on research conduct, such as that provided by UKRI, the Wellcome Trust and the Council for Science and Technology.
The UKRIO Code of Practice for Research includes a one-page recommended checklist for researchers. This is a non-technical checklist which summarises the key points of good practice in research, based upon the more detailed standards provided in the code. Use of the benchmarks contained in the code can assist ROs in fulfilling the requirements of regulatory, funding and other relevant bodies. The UKRIO checklist may be used by research and ethics committees (RECs) in addition to their own REC forms.
ROs should have procedures in place for investigating and reporting allegations of research misconduct as set out in the UKRI policy and guidance on governance of good research practice and the Concordat to Support Research Integrity (2019).
Further information
UK Government: Rigour, respect, responsibility: a universal ethical code for scientists
European Science Foundation: European Code of Conduct for Research Integrity
UK Research Integrity Office: Recommended checklist for researchers
Science Europe: Research integrity
Last updated: 30 August 2024