Responsible conduct of research

University of Lapland is committed to the guidelines of the Finnish National Board on Research Integrity (TENK) for the responsible conduct of research and for handling alleged violations (the RCR guidelines). Responsible conduct of research is an integral part of the university quality assurance system.

Guidelines and promotion of responsible conduct of research are part of a self-regulation framework of the scientific community in Finland. Each individual researcher and member of the research community from the assisting staff to the leaders of research teams, the directors of units and the administration of the university, are responsible for adhering to the principles of responsible conduct of research.

The University of Lapland takes care of integration of principles of responsible conduct of research and teaching of research integrity in the graduate and postgraduate programmes. The university offers support in RCR and research integrity issues also to its staff members.

Research Integrity Adviser of the university supports the members of the university research community in issues and questions concerning research integrity. Communications with the research integrity adviser are confidential. The adviser can be contacted in person, by email and by phone. The adviser does not participate in the investigation of misconducts or suspected violations of responsible conduct of research.

Contact:

Petra Falin
Senior specialist
Research Integrity Adviser of the University of Lapland
petra.falin (at) ulapland.fi
P. 040 484 4364

Violations of responsible conduct of research

According to the RCR principles, violations of the responsible conduct of research refer to unethical and dishonest actions, that may have been committed either intentionally or through negligence. The violations include two categories: research misconduct and disregard for the responsible conduct of research. Research misconduct includes four subcategories: fabrication, falsification, plagiarism and misappropriation. Disregard of the responsible conduct of research means gross negligence and carelessness during the research process. In addition, the RCR violations may include other irresponsible practices, e.g. malicious accusations of RCR violations.

Read more from the RCR guidelines>

What to do, if you suspect a violation?

It is in the mutual interest of the research community, that all allegations of RCR violations are investigated. The allegations are handled in that organisation, where the alleged violation has happened.

If you suspect a violation related to research carried out in university of Lapland, you may notify the rector of the university of the alleged misconduct with the form below. The research integrity adviser of your organisation will help you in the process if needed.

RCR_notification_form.docx

The process for handling allegations

When the university rector receives a notification of an alleged violation, the validity of the allegations are determined in a preliminary inquiry, which includes hearing of the instigator and the person alleged of the violation. Based on the preliminary inquiry, the rector decides either to appoint an investigation committee or end the proceedings. Based on the investigation report, the rector decides whether a violation of the responsible conduct of research has occurred. The reasoned decision by the rector is communicated to both parties and TENK. If a party is dissatisfied with the rector's decision, they may request a statement from the Finnish Advisory Board on Research Integrity.

See more in the RCR guidelines>