Research integrity
Research integrity forms the foundation of good research. It is essential for researchers, research participants, and everyone who needs to be able to trust the results of scientific research.
…Research integrity forms the foundation of good research. It is essential for researchers, research participants, and everyone who needs to be able to trust the results of scientific research.
To promote and safeguard research integrity, LUMC works with quality standards, codes of conduct, ethical review processes, and clear procedures for reporting potential breaches. Together, these measures help ensure that research is conducted responsibly, transparently, and reliably.
Good Research Practice (GRP)
Good Research Practice (GRP) describes the principles and conditions for conducting scientific research in a careful, reliable, and transparent manner. At LUMC, GRP forms the foundation for the quality of both clinical and preclinical research.
…Good Research Practice (GRP) describes the principles and conditions for conducting scientific research in a careful, reliable, and transparent manner. At LUMC, GRP forms the foundation for the quality of both clinical and preclinical research.
Quality assurance begins before a study starts. Departmental scientific review committees assess research proposals before they are submitted to a Medical Research Ethics Committee or another review committee.
During the research process, we support researchers through a quality management system for both clinical and preclinical research. This system includes training, clear procedures, Good Clinical Practice (GCP) monitoring, a study management system, a helpdesk, robust data management, and internal audits. In addition, all research laboratories at LUMC operate in accordance with international quality standards (GRP/ISO9001).
Implementation of the GRP policy is supported by the Good Research Practice Committee (cGRP), which advises the Executive Board and LUMC departments on improving and safeguarding the quality of clinical research.
Contact
Do you have questions about the GRP policy? Please contact us by email at GRP@lumc.nl.
More information
More information about the GRP policy and the Good Research Practice Committee can be found on the following page:
Good Clinical Practice
In addition to the principles of Good Research Practice (GRP), research involving human participants is subject to the international quality standard Good Clinical Practice (GCP). This standard sets out requirements for conducting medical scientific research involving human participants safely and carefully. All LUMC researchers work in accordance with these guidelines. This helps protect the rights, safety, and well-being of research participants and ensures that research results are reliable.
Ethical review
Not only must research be conducted carefully, it is also subject to review before it begins. Research proposals are therefore assessed for safety, scientific quality, and social responsibility. Researchers may only start a study once it has been approved by the appropriate review committee.
…Not only must research be conducted carefully, it is also subject to review before it begins. Research proposals are therefore assessed for safety, scientific quality, and social responsibility. Researchers may only start a study once it has been approved by the appropriate review committee.
More information
Learn more about ethical review on the Research Policy page.
Code of conduct for research integrity
Scientific standards are defined in laws and regulations, institutional policies, professional codes, and generally accepted practices. At the same time, not every guideline provides an answer to all ethical issues that researchers may encounter in their work. Professional judgment and personal integrity therefore play an essential role in maintaining research integrity.
…Scientific standards are defined in laws and regulations, institutional policies, professional codes, and generally accepted practices. At the same time, not every guideline provides an answer to all ethical issues that researchers may encounter in their work. Professional judgment and personal integrity therefore play an essential role in maintaining research integrity.
To foster and maintain a research environment in which integrity is a core value, LUMC expects its researchers to act in accordance with the principles of the Dutch Code of Conduct for Research Integrity.
The Dutch Code of Conduct for Research Integrity is aligned with international guidance and standards, including:
- the Singapore Statement on Research Integrity;
- the OECD Best Practices for Ensuring Scientific Integrity and Preventing Misconduct;
- the European Code of Conduct for Research Integrity published by ALLEA.
In line with this code of conduct, LUMC continuously works to promote good research practices and to strengthen a research culture in which carefulness, honesty, transparency, independence, and responsibility are central values.
Reporting potential breaches of research integrity
Do you have questions or concerns about research conducted at LUMC? For example, are you involved in an authorship dispute or do you suspect a potential breach of research integrity? Below you can find information on where to go for advice, support, or submitting a complaint.
…Do you have questions or concerns about research conducted at LUMC? For example, are you involved in an authorship dispute or do you suspect a potential breach of research integrity? Below you can find information on where to go for advice, support, or submitting a complaint.
Confidential Advisors for Science
The Confidential Advisors for Science are the first point of contact for questions and concerns related to scientific research. All conversations with the confidential advisors are treated confidentially.
The confidential advisor will assess your question or complaint and may speak with you, the person concerned, and, where appropriate, other parties involved. Whenever possible, the confidential advisor will help resolve the matter through consultation and mediation.
If a suspected breach of research integrity appears to be well founded, the confidential advisor can assist the complainant in submitting a formal complaint to the Research Integrity Committee.
Contact
- Stella Trompet: s.trompet@lumc.nl
- Teun van Gelder: t.van_gelder1@lumc.nl
Research Integrity Committee
The Research Integrity Committee investigates complaints concerning potential breaches of research integrity and advises the Executive Board.
You may also submit a complaint directly to the committee if the nature of the report or the urgency of the situation warrants it.
Contact
For questions about the procedure or to submit a complaint, please contact the Research Integrity Committee by email.
Email address: Research@lumc.nl
More information
More information about the confidential advisors, the Research Integrity Committee, and the complaints procedure can be found on the following pages: