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International - Activity
Consensus Conference in UK Defines Misconduct, Good Research Practices
Volume 8, No. 2, March 2000
A Joint Consensus Conference on Misconduct in Biomedical Research whose participants represented
10 medical councils, professional societies, foundations and industry in the United Kingdom produced a
broad definition of research misconduct and enumerated the characteristics of a research environmentthat promote good research practice.
Research misconduct is "behaviour by a researcher, intentional or not, that falls short of good ethical
and scientific standards" according to the consensus statement developed during the conference that
was held last October in Edinburgh, Scotland. "The definition should not be read as being restricted to
fabrication, falsification of data and plagiarism," the statement continued, "It is intended to cover the
whole range of research misconduct."
According to the consensus conference, good research practice is promoted:
- "By affirming a culture through example in which honesty and integrity is expected of every
individual and misconduct is not tolerated.
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Through education, training and vigilance from the outset, starting with undergraduate entry and
continuing through lifelong learning.
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By ensuring formal training of all supervisors of research. By establishing effective and efficient mechanisms for monitoring, auditing and ethical review,
appropriate to the design of the study.
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By provision of expert advice, guidance and training for ethics committees.
By respecting consent and confidentiality.
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By having a framework for and promulgating written guidance on good research practice including
publication policy and dissemination of results.
- By designing procedures to ensure that funds are only allocated within a framework for good
research practice and when local systems for managing allegations of research misconduct are
shown to be established and effective.
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By investigating all allegations of research misconduct firmly, fairly and expeditiously.
- By developing effective and impartial local systems for employers (the universities, NHS,
industry, and research institutes) to manage allegations of research misconduct, including
reference to disciplinary procedures or referral for criminal investigation.
- By providing access to appropriate support for whistleblowers and researchers."
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