Principles, standards and measures

The Netherlands Code of Conduct for Research Integrity defines five principles. These principles can be seen as virtues that motivate a good researcher in various research phases (design, realisation, reporting, assessment and peer review and communication) to make the right choices: honesty, scrupulousness, transparency, independence and responsibility.

In this regard, the institution ensures a work environment in which good research practices are duly facilitated and safeguarded. For example, the institution ensures that researchers can work in a safe, inclusive and open environment, in which they feel responsible and accountable, can share dilemmas and discuss mistakes made without having to be afraid for the consequences (blame-free reporting). The duties of care concern the training and supervision, research culture, data management, publication and dissemination, and ethical standardisation and procedures.

Failure to comply with the standards has a detrimental effect on professional responsibilities. This harms the research process and the relationship between researchers, and possibly the confidence in and credibility of the research too. The Netherlands Code of Conduct for Research Integrity distinguishes between violations of scientific integrity, questionable behaviour and minor shortcomings. The code describes how an institution must deal with potential violations of scientific integrity. The code gives institutions the room to reach a balanced assessment about potential violations of scientific integrity, but it also explicitly states the weighting criteria that play a role in this assessment.