Research integrity and misconduct

Guidance on research misconduct, funder requirements and how to raise concerns.

The University of Oxford expects all its members to observe the highest standards in the conduct of their research, as set out in its Academic Integrity in Research: Code of Practice and Procedure.

Not upholding such standards, either intentionally or through lack of knowledge, damages the scientific process and may harm research participants, colleagues, the University and society as a whole. The University's code also defines how allegations of misconduct in research should be reported, and how these will be assessed and investigated. Allegations are taken very seriously and the University is committed to ensuring that these are investigated thoroughly and robustly.

Definition

Misconduct in research for the purpose of the University’s Code and Procedure means the doing, planning or attempting of any of the following while proposing, carrying out or reporting the results of research:

falsification or fabrication of data, including the intentionally misleading or deliberately false reporting of research information
misrepresentation of data, including the invention of data and the omission from analysis and publication of inconvenient data
failure to follow good practice for the proper preservation, management and sharing of primary data, artefacts and material
unacknowledged appropriation of the work of others, including plagiarism, the abuse of confidentiality with respect to unpublished materials, or misappropriation of results, physical materials or other resources
misrepresentation of involvement in a research project; for example, the failure to include legitimate author(s) on outputs, or granting authorship where none is warranted
failure to declare conflicts of interest
failure to follow accepted procedures, legal or ethical requirements, or to exercise due care in carrying out responsibilities for avoiding unreasonable harm or risk to humans, other vertebrates, cephalopods or the environment
failure to follow existing guidance on good practice in research, including proper handling of privileged or private information collected on individuals during the research

Misconduct in research can include acts of omission as well as acts of commission. It excludes genuine errors that are not due to negligence, differences in interpretation or judgement in evaluating research methods or results, or misconduct unrelated to research processes. It does not include poor research.

Notifying research funders, research collaborators and other external parties

When suspected research misconduct involves external funding, the University must comply with any additional regulations, policies and reporting obligations required by the funder. Several research funders (eg the Wellcome Trust, UKRI, Cancer Research UK) expect to be kept informed, at an early stage, of any allegations of misconduct received by the University relating to research that they have supported and how these allegations will be investigated.
Similarly, the University may need to inform other third parties (eg journals or the employers of research collaborators) of any allegation of misconduct in research in which they have a legitimate interest.

The Russell Group of UK universities has produced a statement of cooperation in respect of cross-institutional research misconduct allegations, that sets out principles for the management of the review of allegations of research misconduct that involve more than one institution. When assessing and investigating such allegations, the University of Oxford will adhere to the principles outlined in this statement.

Russell Group Statement of Cooperation in respect of cross-institutional research misconduct allegations

How to raise concerns - advice for University staff and students

Misconduct or poor practice in research should be challenged. Queries from students or researchers regarding research ethics and integrity should initially be raised and discussed within your department or faculty as appropriate.

Sources of advice and support for University members include:

fellow students and colleagues
supervisors
mentors
senior tutors
directors of graduate studies
heads of department
research ethics committees
Research Services
Clinical Trials and Research Governance team
UK Research Integrity Office

Concerns regarding research integrity at Oxford can also be raised confidentially with the Research Strategy and Policy Unit in Research Services ([email protected])

As set out in the Procedure in the event of suspected misconduct in research, formal allegations of misconduct in research should be made in writing to the Registrar (Gill Aitken).

How to raise concerns - advice for external organisations

Third parties (for example representatives of research funders, research journals, professional bodies) wishing to raise concerns, in confidence, about the integrity of research at the University of Oxford are invited, in the first instance, to contact Tanita Casci, Research Services, University of Oxford.

As set out in the Procedure in the event of suspected misconduct in research, formal allegations of misconduct in research should be made in writing to the Registrar (Gill Aitken).

Research integrity training within the past 3 years is compulsory for all University research staff and research students. Online research integrity training is available to all University staff and students via the course booking system CoSy.

Research Integrity Training

Research integrity – core course

This introductory core course is compulsory for all University of Oxford research students (either on graduate taught courses or taking research degrees). It is also available to all University staff and students who are interested in undertaking more detailed training in this area.

Designed to support researchers from all disciplines, the course covers professional responsibilities, planning and conducting research, relationships (both with other researchers and the broader community and the public), scholarly publication, research dissemination and impact, issues in research governance and what to do if research misconduct is suspected.

Access the core course

For evidence that you have completed the core course, you will need to take and pass the quizzes at the end of each module and score an overall pass mark of 80% or over. Once you have passed all the quizzes, you will then be sent an email certificate of completion of the core course.

Research integrity – refresher course for experienced researchers

This refresher course is more suitable for experienced University of Oxford researchers (for example, postdoctoral researchers or established academic staff).

The refresher course offers the first two of the eight core course modules.

Access the refresher course

For evidence that you have completed the refresher course, you will need to take and pass the quiz and score a pass mark of 80% or over. You will then be sent an email certificate of completion of the refresher course.

Research integrity – supplementary modules

These additional modules are designed to supplement the core and refresher courses about specific aspects of research integrity which will be relevant to certain types of research. These cover:

Annual research integrity reports

Compliance with the Concordat to Support Research Integrity

In line with the requirements of the funder-endorsed Concordat to Support Research Integrity, the University’s Research and Innovation Committee (as delegated by University Council) reviews and approves an annual statement summarising how research integrity is promoted and supported, including details of related activities undertaken across the University. This statement also includes anonymised information about how allegations of misconduct in research have been assessed and investigated.

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