Interdisciplinary perspectives on ethics and integrity in Europe: acknowledging differences to foster mutual understanding

Abstract

Heterogeneous research methodologies and practices, characterising different scientific areas, raise a wide range of issues related to ethics and research integrity. In addition, any discussion about a new framework promoting research ethics and research integrity should take into consideration the existing ethics guidelines and codes of conduct to be found in the various fields of scientific research. Acknowledging these high-level aspects, we discuss problems of research ethics and research integrity, as well as proposed solutions and possible further challenges that are common across various non-medical scientific fields/disciplines. Our observations are based on evidence drawn from different types of stakeholders (researchers, science/technology experts, regulators, funders/research councils and policymakers) during ten workshops organised within the context of the EU-funded PRO-RES project. The list of issues examined includes: institutional structures and constraints, existing ethics appraisal procedures and the ways research ethics committees / institutional review boards and relevant bodies work; the collection, analysis and handling of data; informed consent and the protection of privacy; accountability and transparency; types of vulnerability regarding research areas and people involved; open access and open science; publishing procedures; (peer) review systems and dissemination practices; the education of young researchers in ethics and integrity and the creation of a new research culture; types of incentivisation supporting this research culture; challenges of research in international contexts; and challenges emerging with innovation and the latest technological developments. Considering that reliable independent research provides useful information for the formulation of policies of general interest, the aim is to identify common areas where relationships among different stakeholders can be improved or, in some cases, created, in a dynamic environment where research practices can interact with and inform policymaking, while developing a better mutual understanding.