The Concordat to Support Research Integrity

Responsible research practice is grounded in high standards of integrity in all aspects and fields of research, from ideation through to publication and public engagement. The UK recognises five key principles necessary to maintain the highest standards of research integrity.

The research community is expected to apply these principles as necessary and appropriately to their roles and responsibilities.

• Honesty is crucial, from the presentation of research ideas and goals, through to authorship and financial contributions, and on to findings. Examples include honesty in: reporting research methods and procedures; gathering data and information; referencing work; representing and acknowledging the work of others; conveying interpretations; and making justifiable claims based on research findings

• Rigour is demonstrated by behaviour that is in line with prevailing disciplinary norms and standards, including the use of appropriate methods. It may be evidenced through adherence to procedures, standards of practice and agreed protocols, as appropriate, and is expected when drawing interpretations and conclusions from research, including when communicating findings. The integrity of the research record should be protected through secure and rigorous approaches

• Transparency and open communication provide the foundation for the actions taken when conducting or communicating about research. Examples may include: declaring potential competing interests; reporting research data collection methods; acknowledging the use of tools such as emerging technologies; analysing and interpreting data; and publishing or otherwise sharing findings. This may include appropriate open research practices. It permits humility in the process, acknowledging errors committed in good faith and ensuring honest mistakes are seen as productive elements of research

• Care and respect are expected for everyone and everything involved in the research system, and for the protection of the integrity of the research record. They should be extended to everyone involved in the research process, all participants in research, and for the subjects, users and beneficiaries of research, including humans, animals, the environment and cultural objects. Those engaged with research must also show care and respect for the integrity of the research record

• Accountability is expected of everyone individually and collectively to create a research environment in which diverse individuals and organisations are empowered and enabled to own the research process and be accountable for their contributions to the research record. This includes being accountable to participants involved in research, and a responsibility to hold individuals and organisations to account when behaviour falls short of the standards set by the Concordat.
 

Research should be conducted according to appropriate ethical, legal, regulatory and professional frameworks, obligations, and standards. These expectations, and key matters for ethical scrutiny, may change over time. All parties are responsible for keeping their knowledge up to date, including for research conducted internationally, or with international partners.

The research community is responsible for:

• understanding and maintaining the expected standards of integrity relevant to their research throughout the research cycle
• being open and transparent about their research methodologies and findings, and honest when errors are made
• complying with ethical, legal, regulatory and professional frameworks, obligations, and standards as required by statutory and regulatory authorities, and by employers, funders and other relevant stakeholders
• ensuring that all their research is subject to ongoing, active, and appropriate consideration of ethical issues
• maintaining trust in research, including by reporting any concerns of research misconduct.

Creating the conditions, grounded in the principles of research integrity, for individuals and organisations to engage in research responsibly supports the maturing of a positive research culture and environment. Research integrity should therefore feature in continuing professional development at every career stage, and be considered when creating relevant governance, policy, and guidance.

The research community is responsible for: 

• keeping their knowledge up to date on research integrity principles and how their responsibilities may evolve at different stages of their career 
• designing, conducting, and reporting research in ways that embed integrity and ethical practice throughout 
• collaborating with others to build and maintain research environments that encourage research integrity, including seeking support from those in leadership and supervisory roles, as needed, to resolve issues 
• adhering to and promoting standards of research integrity when working with partners.
 

It may be difficult to tell the difference between questionable research practices and research misconduct. This often needs to be determined through an investigation. Improving the understanding and management of questionable research practices, and the handling of allegations of research misconduct, are necessary to safeguard research. Allegations of research misconduct must be dealt with through effective and fair investigation. Annex A includes the Concordat’s definitions of questionable research practices and research misconduct. 

The research community is responsible for:

• honesty when reporting any concerns about potential breaches of integrity and declaring conflicts of interest 
• supporting and participating in any investigation, its management and implementation of any recommendations, as required.
 

Upholding, rewarding, and continuously improving responsible research practice is a collective endeavour. Everyone involved in research can play their part by showing leadership and accountability in an open and transparent way.

The research community is responsible for:

upholding trust and confidence in research in the UK through the work they undertake, host, fund, partner or collaborate on, support, and disseminate
finding opportunities to implement, reward, and share ideas, good practice, and learning experiences inside and outside their own organisation

In line with the recommendations of the Concordat, the University’s Research & Professional Practice Committee receives and endorses an annual statement that provides an overview on how we ensure research integrity across the University:

• Statement 2016 (pdf 123kb) (Year 16/17)
• Statement 2017 (pdf 126kb) (Year 17/18)
• Statement 2018 (pdf 206kb) (Year 18/19)
• Statement 2019 (pdf 166kb) (Year 19/20)
• Statement 2020 (pdf 134kb) (Year 20/21)
• Statement 2021 (pdf 135kb) (Year 21/22)
• Statement 2022 (pdf 136kb) (Year 22/23)
• Statement 2023 (pdf 167kb) (Year 23/24)
• Statement 2024 (pdf 263kb) (Year 24/25

• Named senior staff member who oversees research integrity: Andy Scott, Head of Research and Innovation Services (RIS): [email protected]
• Named staff member who will act as a first point of contact for anyone wanting more information on research integrity: Dr Fiona Knight, Head of Research Excellence and Governance (RIS): [email protected]

For anyone wanting confidential advice on concerns relating to research integrity (someone who can act as 'confidential liaison for whistle-blowers or any other person wishing to raise concerns about the integrity of research being conducted under their auspices'), they should contact either of the Research Ethics Panel Chairs - see Dealing with Allegations of research misconduct - Commitment 4 (pfd 372kb) on page 12.  For BU's policy - see 6M Research Misconduct (pdf 335kb) - Key Responsibilities and section 5.2.1

Research Ethics Panel Chairs are:

• Prof Fiona Coward - Science, Technology & Health Research Ethics Panel
• Prof Richard Berger - Social Sciences & Humanities Research Ethics Panel

​PGR Students and Staff can also have informal discussions to discuss initial concerns with the following:

• Appropriate Faculty Member or Deputy Dean for Research and Professional Practice - Prof Lee Miles (BUBS); Prof Scott Wright (FMC): Prof Jane Murphy (FHSS) & Prof Tiantian Zhang (FST)
• Heads of Doctoral College - Dr Fiona Knight and Dr Julia Taylor (PGRs and/or Supervisors of PGRs)

Bournemouth University has been a subscriber to the UK Research Integrity Office since 2019 (Ref: BOU-01).

What is the UK Research Integrity Office?

The UK Research Integrity Office is an independent advisory body, offering support to the public, researchers, and organisations to further good practice in research. A registered charity, it was created in response to longstanding and growing concerns about the reliability of research.

UKRIO is the UK’s most experienced research integrity organisation. Since 2006, it has provided independent and expert support across all disciplines of research, from the arts and humanities to the life sciences. It works to enhance good research practice, address mistakes, questionable practices and fraud, and improve the culture and systems of UK research.

What is research integrity?

Research integrity is another name for ‘good research practice’. It’s the conduct of research in ways that promote trust and confidence in all aspects of the research process.

Research integrity covers all research and the whole lifecycle, from the initial idea and design of the project through the conduct of the research and its dissemination. It also covers making sure that environments and systems for research safeguard and enhance good research practice, rather than hinder it – often described as ‘research culture‘.

What can UKRIO offer researchers?

Education – guidance and support through publications on research practice, training activities and a comprehensive events programme

• Publications
• Events
• YouTube Channel (past webinars videos and slides) 

Sharing best practice – clear and honest development for the research community through facilitated discussions about key issues, informing national and international initiatives, and working to improve research culture.

Resources
UKRIO Twitter

Expert guidance – confidential and expert advice and guidance, as a proactive service for both institutions and individual researchers, as well as in response to requests for assistance.

Get confidential advice on research integrity and research culture issues for example achieving good practice, publication ethics, research misconduct, research ethics, conflicts of interest and improving research culture.