v-sign Mind the GAP - Online training on research integrity
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  • checkmark Responsible conduct of research
    • checkmark Design and conduct
    • checkmark Design and methodology
    • checkmark Possible flaws in a study design
    • checkmark Preregistration and registered reports
    • checkmark Reproducibility and replicability of research
    • checkmark Statistics in research
    • checkmark Research funding
    • checkmark Research Data Management (RDM)
    • checkmark FAIR data principles for research data
    • checkmark Data Management Plan
    • checkmark Reporting results
    • checkmark Presenting your data
    • checkmark Image processing
    • checkmark Authorship
    • checkmark Author affiliation
    • checkmark Citation and referencing
    • checkmark Open access to publications
    • checkmark The quality of a journal
    • checkmark Peer review
    • checkmark Preprints
    • checkmark Novelty of your work
    • checkmark The value of negative results
  • checkmark Declaration of conflict of interest
  • checkmark Science communication
  • checkmark Research(er) evaluation and assessment
  • checkmark References for module 3 - Good Academic Practices

Design and conduct

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Getting a headstart together

As a researcher you have the responsibility to conduct research in line with (inter)national and institutional norms and values, and where applicable, legal obligations. This does, however, not mean that this responsibility should lie entirely in the hands of the researcher. Although research usually starts with an idea, this idea can only be further developed when the necessary infrastructure and research tools are available. Given the complexity of modern research, support by the host research institution and/or your department/faculty is indispensable when aiming for high-quality research and research integrity. The following module will look at how good academic research practices respect the basic principles of integer research:

Who is involved?

Researchers Researchers in general
Group - Faculty - Department
University

Support from your host institution can come in many forms. Institutions can promote awareness and encourage a culture of research integrity, for example by having clear guidelines and policies in place to promote good research practices. However, research institutions are also expected to provide the necessary proper infrastructure. This includes the necessary space and equipment required to carry out a research project, including an infrastructure for the management and protection of data and research materials in all their forms.

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ALLEA Code:

  • Research institutions and organisations promote awareness and resource incentives to ensure a culture of research integrity.
  • Research institutions and organisations create an environment of mutual respect and promote values such as equity, diversity, and inclusion.
  • Research institutions and organisations create an environment free from undue pressures on researchers that allows them to work independently and according to the principles of good research practice.
  • Research institutions and organisations demonstrate leadership in clear policies and procedures on good research practice and the transparent and proper handling of suspected research misconduct and violations of research integrity.
  • Research institutions and organisations actively support researchers who receive threats and protect bona fide whistleblowers, taking into account that early career and short-term employed researchers may be particularly vulnerable.
  • Research institutions and organisations support appropriate infrastructure for the generation, management, and protection of data and research materials in all their forms that are necessary for reproducibility, traceability, and accountability.

In addition, due to the complexity of research, it is necessary for institutions to have support in place to assist researchers in need of advice. Researchers should be able to find help with good academic practices, ethics approvals (in the form of ethics committees), legal issues and their own safety and that of others when planning and conducting research.

Researchers themselves have responsibilities. In the first place, it is of utmost importance that researchers familiarise themselves with the good academic research practices described in the ALLEA Code, and the host institution’s expectations and procedures with regards to research. Researchers should ensure that they use scientific methods that are justifiable within their field, and must be precise and accurate when performing research. They should check whether the tools they intend to use (for instance, laboratory equipment, standard questionnaires, archives) are adapted to the work to be performed and are ready to be used in optimal conditions. (Code of ethics for scientific research in Belgium, 2009)

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