Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to analyze how current research information systems (CRIS) take into account ethical issues, especially in the environment of open science. The analysis is based on a review of the literature on research information management, CRIS, open science and research ethics. The paper provides a framework for the assessment of CRIS on two levels: are CRIS (= their data model, format, functionalities, etc.) compliant with ethical requirements from the research community, funding bodies, government, etc., i.e., can they appropriately process data on research ethics (protocols, misconduct, etc.), and which are the ethical issues of the development, implementation and usage of CRIS? What is the impact of new ethical requirements from the open science movement, such as integrity or transparency? Can CRIS be considered as ethical infrastructures or “infraethics”? Concluding this analysis, the paper proposes an empirical approach for further investigation of this topic. The originality of the paper is that there are very few studies so far that assess the implications of research ethics and open science on the CRIS.
Highlights
Take into account ethical issues, especially in the environment of open science
Insofar as research ethics are highly relevant for the evaluation, the monitoring and the governance of research activities in universities and research organizations, our assumption is that current research information systems (CRIS) will become increasingly impacted by ethical issues at least on two different levels: 1
We address the question of a particular “CRIS ethics”
Summary
The evaluation and monitoring of research performance is one major challenge of research management. These systems, called current research information systems (CRIS) , have been described as software for “the aggregation, curation, and utilization of metadata about research activities” [1], in order to produce useful and reliable knowledge about research and to support research institutions in the provision of funding information and reporting [2] They aggregate and process information about projects, results, organizations, persons, infrastructures, equipment, facilities, etc., and they produce indicators and assessment for research management. Insofar as research ethics are highly relevant for the evaluation, the monitoring and the governance of research activities in universities and research organizations, our assumption is that CRIS will become increasingly impacted by ethical issues at least on two different levels: 2 Their data models should be able to represent ethical aspects of research projects. Insofar as the policy in favor of open science pursues the goal of changing the rules and procedures of doing science, including criteria of career development and funding, there is an evident link between open science and integrity
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
