Research Integrity

What is research integrity?

A foundational commitment of the University is to strive for research and scholarly practices that exemplify honesty, truthfulness, fairness, respect, responsibility and the courage to adhere to these values, according to the International Center for Academic Integrity. More specifically, a commitment to integrity calls for researchers and scholars to:

  • Deal fairly with colleagues and students
  • Adhere to relevant ethical principles
  • Carry out research in an honest and rigorous search for knowledge
  • Interpret findings according to scientific, scholarly and/or creative principles
  • Make results of work accessible
  • Identify affiliations and contributions accurately
  • Retain research records in accordance with relevant protocols
  • Honestly comply with funding agency requirements
  • Be proactive in rectifying integrity breaches

A corollary to this commitment to integrity is that researchers and scholars must also strive to maintain the overall integrity of the research and scholarly enterprise at the University by reporting suspected instances of research or scholarly misconduct to the Office of the Vice-Principal (Research) to request a referral to an advisor who will provide confidential advice regarding the matter, prior to the individual deciding whether to submit a formal written complaint.

Important Resources on Integrity in Research

Queen's Senate Policy on Integrity in Research

The Policy applies to faculty, staff, students* and post-doctoral fellows, and the Policy outlines expectations, definitions, and processes for reporting and investigating potential misconduct.

 Integrity in Research

*except when an integrity issue relates to research associated with a course

  • Deal fairly with colleagues and students
  • Adhere to relevant ethical principles
  • Carry out research in an honest and rigorous search for knowledge
  • Interpret findings according to scientific, scholarly and/or creative principles
  • Make results of work accessible
  • Identify affiliations and contributions accurately
  • Retain research records in accordance with relevant protocols
  • Honestly comply with funding agency requirements
  • Be proactive in rectifying integrity breaches

Tri-Agency Framework: Responsible Conduct of Research

Queen’s University is responsible for ensuring that our own Senate Policy on Integrity in Research aligns with the requirements found in the Tri-Agency Framework of the Secretariat for the Responsible Conduct of Research, which is Tri-Agency body responsible for ethics and integrity in Canada.

Tri-Agency Framework: Responsible Conduct of Research

Office of Research Integrity, United States

The Office of Research Integrity (ORI) oversees and directs Public Health Service (PHS) research integrity activities on behalf of the Secretary of Health and Human Services with the exception of the regulatory research integrity activities of the Food and Drug Administration.

Research Integrity Education Group Presentation

Research Integrity Education Group PowerPoint

Differentiating Terms

Academic Integrity is a commitment to behave in accordance with the fundamental values of honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility along with the courage to act on these values in all academic circumstances.  

Research Integrity represents a commitment to strive honestly, openly and fairly for the best research practices and to report suspected instances of misconduct. Research integrity as a concept applies to all university research – the research integrity policies apply to all research except course based research which is covered by the relevant academic integrity policy. 

Research Ethics concerns the principles and practices that balance the protection of research participants with the legitimate goals of the research enterprise.

Additional Resources

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Research Integrity Frequently Asked Questions

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