The Singapore Statement on Research Integrity

The 2nd World Conference on Research Integrity, held in Singapore July 21-24, 2010, brought together 340 participants from 51 countries – researchers, funders, representatives of research institutions (universities and research institutes), and research publishers to discuss different aspects and issues related to the responsible conduct of research. During the Conference, the participants worked on a joint document as a global guide for responsible conduct of research. The document was drafted by Nicholas Steneck and Tony Mayer, Co-chairs of the 2nd World Conference on Research Integrity, and Melissa Anderson, Chair of the Organizing Committee for the 3rd World Conference on Research Integrity. It was discussed before, during, and after the Conference and published as The Singapore Statement on Research Integrity on September 22, 2010.

As a journal dedicated to the promotion of the culture of research integrity (1-3), the Croatian Medical Journal participated in the work of the Conference and contributed to the development of the Singapore Statement. We publish it with the hope that the national bodies and organizations in Southeast Europe in particular and Europe in general will use the Statement to create or further develop their official policies, guidance, and regulations relating to research integrity. The Statement is available from its own site, at http://www.singaporestatement.org.

Singapore Statement on Research Integrity

Preamble

The value and benefits of research are vitally dependent on the integrity of research. While there can be and are national and disciplinary differences in the way research is organized and conducted, there are also principles and professional responsibilities that are fundamental to the integrity of research wherever it is undertaken.

Principles

Honesty in all aspects of research

Accountability in the conduct of research

Professional courtesy and fairness in working with others

Good stewardship of research on behalf of others

Responsibilities

1. Integrity: Researchers should take responsibility for the trustworthiness of their research.

2. Adherence to Regulations: Researchers should be aware of and adhere to regulations and policies related to research.

3. Research Methods: Researchers should employ appropriate research methods, base conclusions on critical analysis of the evidence and report findings and interpretations fully and objectively.

4. Research Records: Researchers should keep clear, accurate records of all research in ways that will allow verification and replication of their work by others.

5. Research Findings: Researchers should share data and findings openly and promptly, as soon as they have had an opportunity to establish priority and ownership claims.

6. Authorship: Researchers should take responsibility for their contributions to all publications, funding applications, reports, and other representations of their research. Lists of authors should include all those and only those who meet applicable authorship criteria.

7. Publication Acknowledgment: Researchers should acknowledge in publications the names and roles of those who made significant contributions to the research, including writers, funders, sponsors, and others, but do not meet authorship criteria.

8. Peer Review: Researchers should provide fair, prompt, and rigorous evaluations and respect confidentiality when reviewing others' work.

9. Conflict of Interest: Researchers should disclose financial and other conflicts of interest that could compromise the trustworthiness of their work in research proposals, publications, and public communications as well as in all review activities.

10. Public Communication: Researchers should limit professional comments to their recognized expertise when engaged in public discussions about the application and importance of research findings and clearly distinguish professional comments from opinions based on personal views.

11. Reporting Irresponsible Research Practices: Researchers should report to the appropriate authorities any suspected research misconduct, including fabrication, falsification or plagiarism, and other irresponsible research practices that undermine the trustworthiness of research, such as carelessness, improperly listing authors, failing to report conflicting data, or the use of misleading analytical methods.

12. Responding to Irresponsible Research Practices: Research institutions, as well as journals, professional organizations, and agencies that have commitments to research, should have procedures for responding to allegations of misconduct and other irresponsible research practices and for protecting those who report such behavior in good faith. When misconduct or other irresponsible research practice is confirmed, appropriate actions should be taken promptly, including correcting the research record.

13. Research Environments: Research institutions should create and sustain environments that encourage integrity through education, clear policies, and reasonable standards for advancement, while fostering work environments that support research integrity.

14. Societal Considerations: Researchers and research institutions should recognize that they have an ethical obligation to weigh societal benefits against risks inherent in their work.