Research Integrity: the Responsible Conduct of Research
Information Box Group
What is the Responsible Conduct of Research? Tri-Agency Framework: Responsible Conduct of Research website
Responsible conduct of research is the behaviour expected of anyone who conducts or supports research activities throughout the life cycle of a research project (i.e., from the formulation of the research question, through the design, conduct, collection of data, and analysis of the research, to its reporting, publication and dissemination, as well as the management of research funds).
It involves the awareness and application of established professional norms, as well as values and ethical principles that are essential in the performance of all activities related to research. These values include honesty, fairness, trust, accountability, and openness.
What is Research?
Research is an undertaking, or a commitment to an undertaking, intended to extend knowledge through a disciplined inquiry or systematic investigation. This definition includes, but is not limited to, the following scholarly activities:
- the preparation and publication, in either traditional or electronic format, of scholarly books, articles, reviews, translations, critical editions, bibliographies, textbooks, and pedagogical materials;
- creative works in drama, music and the visual arts (including recordings, exhibitions, plays and musical compositions, which may take form as remixes, homages or parodies);
- literary works in prose, poetry, and drama; and
- contract research and consultancy contracts.
- Students (graduate and undergraduate) are often involved in research as part of their academic work, employment, and/or volunteering activity. Research by students may lead to academic credit, payment, and/or academic merit (e.g. reference letters, publications, etc.).
Panel on Research Ethics (Government of Canada)
In 2001, Canada’s three federal research agencies, CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC, jointly created the Interagency Advisory Panel on Research Ethics (the Panel) as part of a collaborative effort to promote the ethical conduct of research involving human participants. The Panel develops, interprets and implements the Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans (TCPS).