RCUK Policy and Code of Conduct on the Governance of Good Research Conduct
The RCUK Policy and Code of Conduct on the Governance of Good Research Conduct provides guidelines which describe how to manage research to ensure the highest standards, and on the reporting and investigation of unacceptable research conduct.
The document is available
here
.
The Code was developed after a wide consultation in 2008 with partners across the higher education and research sector. It aims to provide clear guidelines to help researchers and research organisations achieve the highest standards possible when carrying out research. Covering a wide range of suggested best practice areas, from the need for appropriate training and development at the early career stage to how to handle the resignation of a researcher under investigation, the Code is designed to fit in with research organisations' own internal procedures.
Research Integrity Futures Working Group
UK Research Integrity Futures Working Group (7 September) published a report in September 2011 which made recommendations about arrangements for good research conduct in the UK. The Working Group was established by Research Councils UK (RCUK) and Universities UK (UUK) and was chaired by Professor Dame Janet Finch.
The report concludes that the UK and its employers of research would benefit from a unified approach to issue surrounding research integrity and recommends that a new system for research integrity in the UK should be development which builds on the UK’s existing strength in this area.
The report can be read
here
.
RCUK’s response to the publication is available here.
New National Concordat for Research Integrity
RCUK is now working with UUK and other stakeholders to agree a new national Concordat with other UK partners and funders, which all employers of researchers will be encouraged to sign.Comments are now being invited on the draft concordat which is available on the Universities UK website here
.