Concordat for Research Integrity

The University of Suffolk, like all signatories, is required to make five key commitments to be compliant with the Concordat on Research Integrity. These commitments are addressed through the policies, procedures, and structures of the University and are summarized here:

• Maintaining the highest standards of rigour and integrity in all aspects of research.
• Ensuring that research is conducted according to appropriate ethical, legal, and professional frameworks, obligations, and standards.
• Supporting a research environment that is underpinned by a culture of integrity and based on good governance, best practice, and support for the development of researchers.
• Using transparent, robust, and fair processes to deal with allegations of research misconduct should they arise.
• Working together to strengthen the integrity of research and reviewing progress regularly and openly.

The Concordat to Support Research Integrity defines research integrity as a set of individual and collective behaviours that are set out in the Research Integrity Code of Practice.

Research Integrity Code of Practice

All research undertaken at the University of Suffolk is completed in accordance with our Research Integrity Code of Practice. This code ensures:

• A research environment that supports the highest standards of rigour and integrity.
• Transparent, robust, and fair processes to handle allegations of misconduct.
• Genuine informed consent from all participants, ensuring they are properly informed about the nature and purpose of the research.
• Proportionality of participant involvement to the likely benefits of the research.
• Avoidance or mitigation of any harm or distress through robust precautions.
• Preservation of participant anonymity unless otherwise agreed, with proper data protection.
• Integrity and transparency regarding actual or potential conflicts of interest.

Principles of Research Integrity

Research integrity at the University of Suffolk is defined by individual and collective behaviours that adhere to:

• Honesty in gathering data, reporting findings, and acknowledging the work of others.
• Rigour in using appropriate research methods, adhering to agreed protocols, and communicating results.
• Transparency and open communication in declaring potential competing interests, analysing data, and making research findings available.
• Care and respect for all research subjects, users, and beneficiaries, including humans, animals, the environment, and cultural objects.
• Accountability of funders, employers, and researchers in creating a positive and inclusive research environment.

As a signatory of the Concordat, we publish the Annual Statement on Research Integrity. This statement outlines the actions and initiatives taken by the University to sustain and enhance the integrity of our research.

Annual Statement on Research Integrity 2023-2024

Annual Statement on Research Integrity 2022-2023

 

University of Suffolk has been a subscriber to the UK Research Integrity Office since 2021

 

What is the UK Research Integrity Office UKRIO?  

The UK Research Integrity Office is an independent advisory body, offering support to the public, researchers, and organisations to further good practise in research. A registered charity, it was created in response to long-standing 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 practise, address mistakes, questionable practises and fraud, and improve the culture and systems of UK research.

What is research integrity?  Research integrity is another name for ‘good research practise. 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 practise, rather than hinder it – often described as 'research culture'.  See more about research integrity.

In 2021, the University of Suffolk conducted a comprehensive, institution-wide research integrity review. The University of Suffolk Research Ethics Committee are overseeing the implementation of the recommendations from the review.

 

First Point of Contact Regarding Research Integrity - In the event of any enquiries or concerns regarding issues of research integrity, please contact the Head of Research Culture, Andreea Tocca at research.ethics@uos.ac.uk