Advancing research integrity: a programme to embed good practice in Africa.

Area of Science:

• Medical and Health Sciences
• Social Sciences

Background:

• Research integrity training and institutional policies are significantly lacking in African institutions.
• Institutions have a crucial responsibility to uphold research integrity through proactive measures.
• Existing gaps necessitate targeted interventions to promote ethical research practices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop, implement, and evaluate a dual approach (researcher workshops and senior faculty discussions) to enhance research integrity at African institutions.
• To address the deficiencies in research integrity training and policy frameworks within the African research landscape.
• To foster a culture of ethical conduct in research through a combination of 'bottom-up' and 'top-down' strategies.

Main Methods:

• A 'bottom-up' workshop was conducted for researchers, focusing on core principles of research integrity including authorship, plagiarism, and conflicts of interest.
• Interactive teaching methods such as individual/group activities, small group discussions, and case-based learning were employed.
• A 'top-down' session involved discussions with senior faculty to provide feedback, review institutional policies, and share best practices from other institutions.

Main Results:

• Participants actively engaged, recognized the importance of research integrity, and acknowledged the prevalence of poor practices.
• Discussions with senior faculty led to the formation of a working group dedicated to developing an institutional publication policy.
• The implemented approach successfully initiated dialogues on research integrity within the participating institutions.

Conclusions:

• The combined workshop and faculty discussion strategy effectively stimulated conversations and action regarding research integrity.
• There is a clear and ongoing need for integrated training programs and robust institutional policies to promote good research practices in Africa.
• Continued engagement and policy implementation are essential for sustaining and advancing research integrity across African institutions.