Research integrity in Spain: Great expectations, mediocre results.

Area of Science:

• Research Integrity and Ethics
• Science Policy and Governance
• Scientific Misconduct

Background:

• Reliable scientific knowledge is crucial for societal progress, economic development, and informed policymaking.
• Public trust in science necessitates robust measures to ensure research integrity and prevent misconduct.
• Institutional and national policies significantly influence the promotion of research integrity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To critically assess Spanish legislation and institutional policies concerning research integrity and misconduct prevention.
• To identify factors contributing to the gap between stated ethical values and their practical implementation in Spain.
• To propose actionable suggestions for enhancing the respect and application of existing ethical policies.

Main Methods:

• Critical analysis of Spanish legislation related to scientific research.
• Evaluation of institutional policies governing research integrity and misconduct.
• Identification of systemic factors hindering the practical application of ethical standards.

Main Results:

• Spanish policies articulate ethical values aligned with research integrity and misconduct prevention.
• A significant discrepancy exists between the proclaimed ethical standards and their actual implementation.
• Specific factors contributing to this gap have been identified within the Spanish research system.

Conclusions:

• Despite well-intentioned policies, Spain faces challenges in translating ethical commitments into practice regarding research integrity.
• Addressing identified systemic factors is essential for upholding ethical values in scientific research.
• Implementing proposed suggestions can help ensure greater adherence to established ethical principles in Spain.