Healthy Skepticism Library item: 14300

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Publication type: Journal Article

White C.
Academics draft protocol for handling research misconduct
BMJ 2008 Sep 11; 337:a1612
http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/extract/337/sep11_1/a1612

Abstract:

The UK body responsible for advising academic institutions and NHS trusts on how to deal with research misconduct has launched a protocol to try to standardise the procedure for investigating allegations and ensure that cases are handled fairly.

The protocol is a step by step guide to investigating and acting on allegations of research misconduct brought by other colleagues or external bodies, from the types of documentary evidence required, to who should be involved and over what time frame.

It is targeted at all employers of people engaged in research who rely on funds from government bodies, charities, and commercial ventures, within and outside the United Kingdom.

The protocol was devised by the UK Panel for Research Integrity in Health and Biomedical Sciences, part of the UK Research Integrity Office. This was set up in 2006 after almost a decade of pressure from biomedical scientific editors, ethicists, and publishers, spearheaded . . .