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Pizzolato D, Labib K, Skoulikaris N, Evans N, Roje R, Kavouras P, Aubert Bonn N, Dierickx K, Tijdink J. How can research institutions support responsible supervision and leadership? Account Res 2024; 31:173-195. [PMID: 35975399 DOI: 10.1080/08989621.2022.2112033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
Supervisors, PhD candidates and research leaders are expected to be the primary persons responsible for maintaining a high research integrity standards. However, research institutions should support them in this effort, by promoting responsible supervision and leadership practices. Although it is clear that institutions play a crucial role in this, there is a lack of institutional guidelines focusing on these topics. The development of the experience-based guidelines presented in this article consisted of a multi-step, iterative approach. We engaged 16 experts in supervision and research integrity in four workshops to co-create institutional guidelines for responsible supervision and leadership. To revise the guidelines and make them operational, we formed a dedicated working group and consulted experts in the field of supervision. This resulted in three guidelines focusing on what institutions can do to support: responsible supervision, PhD candidates during their PhD trajectory, and responsible leadership. The recommendations focus on the rights and responsibilities of the three targeted stakeholder groups, and institutions' responsibilities for the personal development and well-being of supervisors, PhD candidates and research leaders. The three guidelines can be used by institutions to foster responsible supervision and leadership by supporting researchers to conduct research with integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Pizzolato
- KU Leuven, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Centre for Biomedical Ethics and Law, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Krishma Labib
- Amsterdam UMC, VrijeUniversiteit Amsterdam, Department of Ethics, Law and Humanities, Amsterdam Public Health Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherland
| | - Niko Skoulikaris
- Amsterdam UMC, VrijeUniversiteit Amsterdam, Department of Ethics, Law and Humanities, Amsterdam Public Health Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherland
| | - Natalie Evans
- Amsterdam UMC, VrijeUniversiteit Amsterdam, Department of Ethics, Law and Humanities, Amsterdam Public Health Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherland
| | - Rea Roje
- Department of Research in Biomedicine and Health, University of Split School of Medicine, Split, Croatia
| | - Panagiotis Kavouras
- RNanoLab, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Noémie Aubert Bonn
- Amsterdam UMC, VrijeUniversiteit Amsterdam, Department of Ethics, Law and Humanities, Amsterdam Public Health Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherland
| | - Kris Dierickx
- KU Leuven, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Centre for Biomedical Ethics and Law, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Joeri Tijdink
- Amsterdam UMC, VrijeUniversiteit Amsterdam, Department of Ethics, Law and Humanities, Amsterdam Public Health Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherland
- Department of Philosophy, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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Perković Paloš A, Roje R, Tomić V, Marušić A. Creating research ethics and integrity country report cards: Case study from Europe. Account Res 2024; 31:620-654. [PMID: 36635978 DOI: 10.1080/08989621.2022.2163632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Structures for and practices of research integrity (RI) and research ethics (RE) differ among countries. This study analyzed the processes and structures for RI and RE in Europe, following the framework developed at the World Conferences on Research Integrity. We present RI and RE Country Report Cards for 16 European countries, which included the information on RI and RE structures, processes and outcomes. While some of the countries are front-runners when it comes to RI and RE, with well-established and continually developing policies and structures, others are just starting their journey in RI and RE. Although RI and RE contextual divergences must be taken into account, a level of harmonization among the countries is necessary so that researchers working in the European area can similarly handle RI and RE issues and have similar expectations regardless of the organization in which they work. RI and RE Country Report Cards can be a tool to monitor, compare, and strengthen RE and integrity across countries through empowerment and inspiration by examples of good practices and developed systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrijana Perković Paloš
- Department of Research in Biomedicine in Health, University of Split School of Medicine, Split, Croatia
| | - Rea Roje
- Department of Research in Biomedicine in Health, University of Split School of Medicine, Split, Croatia
| | - Vicko Tomić
- ST-OPEN, University of Split, Split, Croatia
| | - Ana Marušić
- Department of Research in Biomedicine in Health, University of Split School of Medicine, Split, Croatia
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Blatch-Jones AJ, Lakin K, Thomas S. A scoping review on what constitutes a good research culture. F1000Res 2024; 13:324. [PMID: 38826614 PMCID: PMC11140362 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.147599.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The crisis in research culture is well documented, covering issues such as a tendency for quantity over quality, unhealthy competitive environments, and assessment based on publications, journal prestige and funding. In response, research institutions need to assess their own practices to promote and advocate for change in the current research ecosystem. The purpose of the scoping review was to explore ' What does the evidence say about the 'problem' with 'poor' research culture, what are the benefits of 'good' research culture, and what does 'good' look like?' Aims To examine the peer-reviewed and grey literature to explore the interplay between research culture, open research, career paths, recognition and rewards, and equality, diversity, and inclusion, as part of a larger programme of activity for a research institution. Methods A scoping review was undertaken. Six databases were searched along with grey literature. Eligible literature had relevance to academic research institutions, addressed research culture, and were published between January 2017 to May 2022. Evidence was mapped and themed to specific categories. The search strategy, screening and analysis took place between April-May 2022. Results 1666 titles and abstracts, and 924 full text articles were assessed for eligibility. Of these, 253 articles met the eligibility criteria for inclusion. A purposive sampling of relevant websites was drawn from to complement the review, resulting in 102 records included in the review. Key areas for consideration were identified across the four themes of job security, wellbeing and equality of opportunity, teamwork and interdisciplinary, and research quality and accountability. Conclusions There are opportunities for research institutions to improve their own practice, however institutional solutions cannot act in isolation. Research institutions and research funders need to work together to build a more sustainable and inclusive research culture that is diverse in nature and supports individuals' well-being, career progression and performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Jane Blatch-Jones
- School of Healthcare Enterprise and Innovation, University of Southampton, Southampton, England, SO16 7NS, UK
| | - Kay Lakin
- Hatch, School of Healthcare Enterprise and Innovation, University of Southampton, Southampton, England, SO16 7NS, UK
| | - Sarah Thomas
- Hatch, School of Healthcare Enterprise and Innovation, University of Southampton, Southampton, England, SO16 7NS, UK
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Meirmans S. How Competition for Funding Impacts Scientific Practice: Building Pre-fab Houses but no Cathedrals. SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING ETHICS 2024; 30:6. [PMID: 38349578 PMCID: PMC10864468 DOI: 10.1007/s11948-024-00465-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2024]
Abstract
In the research integrity literature, funding plays two different roles: it is thought to elevate questionable research practices (QRPs) due to perverse incentives, and it is a potential actor to incentivize research integrity standards. Recent studies, asking funders, have emphasized the importance of the latter. However, the perspective of active researchers on the impact of competitive research funding on science has not been explored yet. Here, I address this issue by conducting a series of group sessions with researchers in two different countries with different degrees of competition for funding, from three scientific fields (medical sciences, natural sciences, humanities), and in two different career stages (permanent versus temporary employment). Researchers across all groups experienced that competition for funding shapes science, with many unintended negative consequences. Intriguingly, these consequences had little to do with the type of QRPs typically being presented in the research integrity literature. Instead, the researchers pointed out that funding could result in predictable, fashionable, short-sighted, and overpromising science. This was seen as highly problematic: scientists experienced that the 'projectification' of science makes it more and more difficult to do any science of real importance: plunging into the unknown or addressing big issues that need a long-term horizon to mature. They also problematized unintended negative effects from collaboration and strategizing. I suggest it may be time to move away from a focus on QRPs in connection with funding, and rather address the real problems. Such a shift may then call for entirely different types of policy actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Meirmans
- Department of Ethics, Law and Humanities, Amsterdam UMC, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, 1105 AZ, Netherlands.
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Roje R, Reyes Elizondo A, Kaltenbrunner W, Buljan I, Marušić A. Factors influencing the promotion and implementation of research integrity in research performing and research funding organizations: A scoping review. Account Res 2023; 30:633-671. [PMID: 35531936 DOI: 10.1080/08989621.2022.2073819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Promoting and implementing research integrity is considered the joint responsibility and effort of multiple stakeholders in the research community. We conducted a scoping review and analyzed 236 research articles and gray literature publications from biomedical sciences, social sciences, natural sciences (including engineering), and humanities that dealt with the factors that may positively or negatively impact the promotion and implementation of research integrity. Critical appraisal of evidence was performed for studies describing interventions aimed at research integrity promotion in order to provide insight into the effectiveness of these interventions. The results of this scoping review provide a comprehensive taxonomy of factors with positive or negative impact and their relatedness to individual researchers, research performing and funding organizations, and the system of science. Moreover, the results show that efforts for fostering and promoting research integrity should be implemented at all three levels (researcher, institution, system) simultaneously to deliver greater adherence and implementation of research integrity practices. Although various educational interventions aiming at research integrity promotion exist, we were not able to conclude on the effectiveness of explored interventions due to the methodological quality issues in the studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rea Roje
- Department of Research in Biomedicine in Health, University of Split School of Medicine, Split, Croatia
| | - Andrea Reyes Elizondo
- Centre for Science and Technology Studies (CWTS), Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Wolfgang Kaltenbrunner
- Centre for Science and Technology Studies (CWTS), Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Ivan Buljan
- Department of Research in Biomedicine in Health, University of Split School of Medicine, Split, Croatia
| | - Ana Marušić
- Department of Research in Biomedicine in Health, University of Split School of Medicine, Split, Croatia
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Labib K, Evans N, Pizzolato D, Aubert Bonn N, Widdershoven G, Bouter L, Konach T, Langendam M, Dierickx K, Tijdink J. Co-creating Research Integrity Education Guidelines for Research Institutions. SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING ETHICS 2023; 29:28. [PMID: 37470823 PMCID: PMC10359202 DOI: 10.1007/s11948-023-00444-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
To foster research integrity (RI), research institutions should develop a continuous RI education approach, addressing various target groups. To support institutions to achieve this, we developed RI education guidelines together with RI experts and research administrators, exploring similarities and differences in recommendations across target groups, as well as recommendations about RI education using approaches other than formal RI training. We used an iterative co-creative process. We conducted four half-day online co-creation workshops with 16 participants in total, which were informed by the RI education evidence-base. In the first two workshops, participants generated ideas for guidelines' content, focusing on different target groups and various approaches to RI education. Based on this content we developed first drafts of the guidelines. Participants in the third and fourth workshop refined those drafts. We next organized a working group which further prioritized, reorganized, and optimized the content of the guidelines. We developed four guidelines on RI education focusing on (a) bachelor, master and PhD students; (b) post-doctorate and senior researchers; (c) other RI stakeholders; as well as (d) continuous RI education. Across guidelines, we recommend mandatory RI training; follow-up refresher training; informal discussions about RI; appropriate rewards and incentives for active participation in RI education; and evaluation of RI educational events. Our work provides experience-based co-created guidance to research institutions on what to consider when developing a successful RI education strategy. Each guideline is offered as a distinct, publicly available tool in our toolbox ( www.sops4ri.eu/toolbox ) which institutions can access, adapt and implement to meet their institution-specific RI education needs.Trial registration https://osf.io/zej5b .
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Affiliation(s)
- Krishma Labib
- Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Ethics, Law and Humanities, Amsterdam Public Health Institute, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Natalie Evans
- Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Ethics, Law and Humanities, Amsterdam Public Health Institute, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Daniel Pizzolato
- Centre for Biomedical Ethics and Law, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 35, Box 7001, 3000, Louvain, Belgium
| | - Noémie Aubert Bonn
- Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Ethics, Law and Humanities, Amsterdam Public Health Institute, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Guy Widdershoven
- Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Ethics, Law and Humanities, Amsterdam Public Health Institute, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Lex Bouter
- Department of Philosophy, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1105, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Department of Biostatistics and Data Science, Amsterdam Public Health Institute, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Teodora Konach
- Austrian Agency for Research Integrity, Landstraßer Hauptstraße 9, TOP 21, 1030, Vienna, Austria
| | - Miranda Langendam
- Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Department of Biostatistics and Data Science, Amsterdam Public Health Institute, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Kris Dierickx
- Centre for Biomedical Ethics and Law, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 35, Box 7001, 3000, Louvain, Belgium
| | - Joeri Tijdink
- Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Ethics, Law and Humanities, Amsterdam Public Health Institute, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Philosophy, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1105, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Buedo P, Odziemczyk I, Perek-Białas J, Waligora M. How to embed ethics into laboratory research. Account Res 2023:1-19. [PMID: 36648202 PMCID: PMC10835673 DOI: 10.1080/08989621.2023.2165916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Health-related innovation in biotechnology requires anticipating potential bioethical implications. In this article, we present a strategy to embed ethics in a group of early-stage researchers performing research in gene therapy and regenerative medicine in the laboratory phase. We conducted a series of focus group meetings with early-stage researchers who work in biotechnology laboratories. The objective was to reflect on the bioethical challenges of their own work and to promote the integration of research ethics with laboratory practice. The activity was assessed with questionnaires completed by the researchers before and after the meetings, and the analyses of the focus groups' content. As a result of the focus group series, all participants changed their perspectives about ethical issues regarding their planned research, developed the ability to reflect and debate on research ethics and had increased awareness of ethical issues in their own research activities. Half of them made changes in their research work. The study provides a concrete strategy to embed ethics and to strengthen responsibility in laboratory research. It is a strategy that allows to perform ethics reflection "on site" and in "real time" and complements the classic strategy of ethics assessment of the research protocol before starting the research procedure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Buedo
- Research Ethics in Medicine Study Group (REMEDY), Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland
| | - Idalina Odziemczyk
- Doctoral School in the Social Sciences (Sociological Sciences), Jagellonian University, Cracow, Poland
| | - Jolanta Perek-Białas
- Institute of Sociology, Center for Evaluation and Public Policies Analysis, Jagiellonian University, Cracow, Poland
| | - Marcin Waligora
- Research Ethics in Medicine Study Group (REMEDY), Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland
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