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Scientific Integrity

The University of Basel expects its researchers to behave with scientific integrity in their research activities. In case of suspicion of a violation of the rules of good scientific practice, researchers are requested to contact the respective faculty representative of trust or the integrity officer.

University Regulations and Procedures

The University of Basel expects its researchers to conduct research in line with the standards and principles concerning scientific and personal integrity as defined in the Code of Conduct and Integrity Regulations.

The «Regulation relating to academic integrity at the University of Basel» (Integrity Regulation) governs the provisions of scientific integrity and good scientific practice applicable at the University of Basel in terms of minimum standards. The regulation defines possible cases of scientific misconduct as well as the modalities of the procedure in the event of suspected scientific misconduct. 

Following the provisions of the Integrity Regulations, all faculties appoint faculty contact persons. The responsibilities of the latter are the provision of information about the procedure in the event of suspected misconduct, the forwarding of facts and the referral of the person concerned to the Integrity Ombudsperson. In case of a suspected violation of the rules of good scientific practice, researchers are requested to contact the respective faculty contact person or the Integrity Ombudsperson.

Integrity Ombudsperson:


Faculty contact persons:

The Research Commission is discussing the further development of the university’s regulations, activities and processes in the field of scientific integrity. In particular, possible adaptations to the Code of Conduct for Scientific Integrity of the Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences (published in 2021) are being reviewed.
 

Ethical acceptability of research projects and responsible research practice

When working at the University of Basel, researchers also commit themselves to a reflective and responsible approach to their research practice and the findings obtained therein. At the request of researchers, the Ethics Committee of the University of Basel decides about the ethical acceptability of research projects. In its decision procedures, the Ethics Committee is guided by the specific standards established in the respective Scientific Communities. At the national level, the Scientific Communities are represented by the Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences. The Academies provide important guidance on ethically relevant issues, such as (non-exhaustive list):

Conflicts of interest

In a competitive research environment, conflicts of interest must be prevented. The Guidelines for Recusals from University Committees define the necessary regulations and apply in particular to appointment and search committees. For the appointment of members of the Scientific Advisory Boards (SABs), the Rectorate has adopted guidelines concerning vested interests and conflicts of interest.
 

Scientific publishing

For scientific publications, clear rules about authorship entitlement and the order of authors are essential. In its practice, the University of Basel follows the guidelines of the Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences, published in the brochure Authorship in Scientific Publications (2013).

In addition, the University of Basel expects its members and affiliates to always include «University of Basel» as an independently recognizable address component in the address details of the author(s). For more detailed instructions, please refer to the summary leaflet about address details on publications.

 

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