Research Integrity at ERIM
Given the emphasis that RSM and ESE put on building academic reputation, the preservation of scientific integrity in all its research activities is of paramount importance. ERIM expects all its members and fellows to respect research integrity practices, and to adhere to and uphold the principles of professional academic practices as described in the Netherlands Code of Conduct for Research Integrity ('the Code').
The Code does not only provide a normative framework for researchers by introducing the guiding principles (honesty, scrupulousness, transparency, independence and responsibility) and standards for good research practice, but also defines a number of duties of care that institutions need to fulfil in order to promote and safeguard good research practices among their members. Over the past years, research integrity has been high on ERIM’s list of priorities. What follows is an overview of the actions undertaken by ERIM as its research institute, as stipulated by the Code’s duties of care:
In case of dilemmas, issues or suspicion of non-compliance, ERIM researchers are encouraged to turn to one of the appointed confidential counsellors. Furthermore, a university-wide procedure for complaints regarding research integrity was introduced in 2012, to allow for rapid, bottom-up notification when people encounter non-compliant research practices. This procedure is meant to act as an ‘early warning system’ where necessary and includes the availability of a campus-wide confidential advisor regarding integrity issues, who is supported by deputies at each of the schools of the university. For cases considered as necessitating further review, EUR has set up a university-wide Scientific Integrity Committee, which handles complaints concerning possible violations of scientific integrity principles and standards by an employee of EUR. Anyone is entitled to submit a complaint to the committee, whether or not via the Executive Board or the confidential advisor.
