Research ethics and good research practice at the University of Gävle

It is of outmost importance that research follows good research practice to ensure the reliability of the research results as well as the public's confidence in the research. All employees who participate in research activities at University of Gävle are responsible for ensuring that the research process from planning to implementation and reporting of results, follows good research practice.

Good research practice

There are several principles accepted by the research community for good research practice, one example being the European Code of Conduct for Research Integrity (ALLEA). According to ALLEA good research practice and integrity is based on: reliability - in ensuring that the quality of research, reflected in the design, the methodology, the analysis and the use of resources; honesty in developing, understanding, reviewing, reporting and communicating research in a transparent, fair, full and unbiased way, respect - for colleagues, research participant, society, ecosystems, cultural heritage and the environment, and accountability - for the research from idea to publication, for its management and organization, for training, supervision and mentoring, and for its wider impacts.

Research ethics

In order to conduct research on people, human tissue or sensitive personal data, ethics testing and permits are required.

Read more on the Swedish Ethical Review Authority page External link..

At the University of Gävle, the Forskningsetiska rådet (the Research Ethics Council) works with ethics assessments of degree projects at the first and second cycle level studies.

Research Ethics Council External link.

Research misconduct

A new law, the act on responsibility for good research practice and the examination of research misconduct applies from 1 January 2020. Misconduct in research is investigated by a special committee: Nämnden för prövning av oredlighet i forskning. Misconduct in research is defined as a serious departure from good research practice in the form of fabrication, falsification or plagiarism that is committed intentionally or by gross negligence in planning, conducting or reporting research. Further deviations from good research practices that damage the integrity of the research process or of researchers, are handled by the local educational institutions. In the case of further deviations from good research practice, during the investigation, the University of Gävle collaborates with Dalarna University. In case of deviations from good research practice the University follows Administrative Procedures in the Event of Research Misconduct and Deviations from Good Reserach Practice (in Swedish) Pdf, 357.8 kB.