Co-creating Research Integrity Education Guidelines for Research Institutions

Area of Science:

• Research Integrity
• Education Strategy
• Academic Development

Background:

• Fostering research integrity (RI) is crucial for academic institutions.
• A continuous and targeted RI education approach is needed for diverse research personnel.
• Existing approaches may not adequately address all aspects of RI education.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop evidence-based, co-created guidelines for research institutions on establishing continuous RI education.
• To provide practical tools and recommendations for different target groups within research settings.
• To explore diverse approaches to RI education beyond formal training.

Main Methods:

• An iterative co-creative process involving 16 RI experts and research administrators.
• Four online co-creation workshops informed by the RI education evidence base.
• Development and refinement of four distinct guidelines through expert collaboration and a working group.

Main Results:

• Four comprehensive guidelines were developed, focusing on students, senior researchers, other stakeholders, and continuous education.
• Key recommendations include mandatory RI training, refresher courses, informal discussions, incentives, and evaluation.
• Guidelines are available as adaptable tools on a public toolbox (www.sops4ri.eu/toolbox).

Conclusions:

• Co-created guidance empowers research institutions to build effective and tailored RI education strategies.
• Implementing continuous and multifaceted RI education is essential for fostering a culture of integrity.
• The provided guidelines offer a practical framework for institutions to enhance their RI education initiatives.