Preventing Misconduct
QMU is committed to preventing misconduct in research and KE. Where such issues arise, we follow robust procedures to investigate potential breaches in research and KE integrity or good practice fully and fairly.
The Concordat to Support Research Integrity defines misconduct as behaviours or actions that fall short of the standards of ethics, research and scholarship required to ensure that the integrity of research is upheld. The UKRIO further clarifies that, for a researcher(s)’ actions to be found as indicative of research misconduct, as opposed to poor or questionable research practice, they need to be determined as intentional or reckless.
We recognise that research and KE misconduct can have wide-ranging and serious consequences for all those affected. It harms the integrity of research and KE projects and damages public trust. It can lead to harm to research participants and communities. It can also have a range of consequences for those against whom allegations of research misconduct are made.
It is therefore essential that we have robust procedures to deal with potential breaches in research and KE integrity or good practice. While the work towards our local policy, QMU adopts UKRIO’s Procedure for the Investigation of Misconduct in Research to inform relevant processes.
The Procedure is a step-by-step manual for investigating misconduct in research, applicable to all subject areas and suitable for all organisations engaged in research.
