5 steps to a culture of research integrity

Research is based on trust – both in the results of research and in the honesty of the people conducting the research. Research consistently produces revolutionary technology and knowledge, but it is an unpredictable process where the greatest time and effort does not always lead to the greatest discoveries. As a consequence, researchers can find themselves under a great deal of pressure to succeed, especially in the face of stiff competition and limited funding. This pressure has been increasingly acknowledged as an issue of “research culture”. A poor research culture can lead to integrity issues as even well intentioned researchers find themselves under pressure to cut corners so as to meet unrealistic targets or perceptions of what they should be achieving.