Research integrity

About Research Integrity

Research integrity relates to how research is conducted by people and organisations. Put simply, it is about the behaviours of these individuals and organisations in relation to their research activities and practices. It applies across the entire research process from the initial research idea through to research conduct, dissemination and reporting of results, and use of research findings.

Research integrity is at the core of a good research culture and is a fundamental governance* and ethical* consideration.  It ensures that there is trust and confidence in researchers and research-active organisations.

Research integrity applies at the level of individual researchers and projects and also applies at an institutional, or organisational, level (i.e. organisations should have systems in place and should create an environment that maintains and promotes research integrity).

Principles of Research Integrity

To have integrity research activities should be informed by best practice and should adhere to the following principles (as set out in the UK Concordat to support Research Integrity, 2019). These apply at all stages and in all aspects of research activity:

Honesty (e.g. being honest and realistic about the potential impacts or benefits of the project, in the collection and interpretation of data, in acknowledgement of the work of others and in any conclusions drawn and communicated). 

Rigour (e.g. ensuring that all activities are in line with best practice and standards, that appropriate methods are used, and that any conclusions drawn are accurate and presented appropriately).  

Transparency and open communication (e.g. being open about potential conflicts of interest, about the methods used, the data collected and the results including ensuring that these are widely disseminated regardless of whether positive or negative).

Care and respect (e.g. for participants and other stakeholders, researchers and the beneficiaries of research).

*Further information on research governance and research ethics is available in the About Research Governance and About Research Ethics Explainers 

Accountability (e.g. ensuring that all parties involved in the research process are accountable for their activities and that there are mechanisms in place to identify and learn from instances where conduct is not acceptable).

Useful research integrity resources:

Research Integrity - UK Research Integrity Office (ukrio.org)

The Concordat to support Research Integrity

UKRI- Research Integrity

UK Research Integrity Office (UKRIO) Code of Practice for Research

This page is available to download as a PDF.