Integrity
2010 Vitae Researcher Development Framework
descriptors B1.3
- What is integrity in research?
- Why is integrity important?
- How to cultivate integrity in research?
What is integrity in research?
Integrity is a key aspect of personal character, shaping our decision-making, interactions, and actions.
It represents a strong moral foundation that guides our responses and choices consistently, even in challenging situations. Researchers with integrity act with a sense of responsibility and consistency, fostering trust and respect in their work environments.
Why is integrity important?
Integrity is essential to high-quality, ethical research. Beyond technical skills, it forms the backbone of good research practices, benefiting individual researchers, teams, and the wider research community. Research settings involve complex interactions with colleagues, institutions, and the public, making integrity vital for successful collaboration and trustworthy results.
Integrity helps resolve conflicts that might otherwise harm research quality and professional relationships. It also supports our ability to handle challenging situations with sound judgment. For example, consider a scenario where you suspect a senior colleague of malpractice. Reporting such concerns might feel risky, especially if it could affect your career, yet staying silent may lead to personal and professional regrets. In these cases, integrity guides us to consider all perspectives and consequences.
How to cultivate integrity in research
Learn from those you admire
Observe researchers whose integrity you respect. Notice how they approach their work, their decision-making, and their relationships with others. Learning through example can be one of the most effective ways to understand and practice integrity in your own career.
Reflect on poor conduct
Observing cases where integrity was lacking can often clarify what integrity looks like. Reflect on examples of poor conduct to reinforce your understanding of ethical research behaviour.
Seek mentorship
Mentorship can be a powerful source of moral guidance and support. Whether through a formal mentor, peer network, or professional association, build connections that encourage ethical decision-making and intellectual maturity.
Follow professional guidelines
Adhere to guidelines relevant to your field, including those for health and safety, ethics, intellectual property, and legal requirements. Sharing this knowledge helps ensure everyone maintains high standards.
Commit to excellence
Your work reflects your integrity. Avoid shortcuts, stay prepared, and aim to deliver high-quality research even on challenging days. Preparation for meetings and presentations shows respect for your work and those around you.
Earn respect through consistency
Build trust by consistently meeting or exceeding expectations. Listen actively, offer support to junior colleagues, and foster a respectful, open environment.
Example of action
- What are your objectives?
To take the lead in making decision-making processes within my department more transparent, fostering an environment that upholds high research standards and strengthens collegial relationships. - How will you measure progress and achievement?
I’ll develop a set of practical tools and strategies that colleagues can use to navigate challenging situations, drawn from my own experiences managing disputes and addressing issues of poor conduct. By tracking their implementation and gathering feedback, I’ll assess their effectiveness in promoting a supportive and respectful work culture.
Example of evidence
- Situation
A lack of transparency in decision-making and unresolved issues between colleagues had started to strain the collegial atmosphere in our department, impacting both morale and productivity. - Task
To help improve communication and support a positive research culture, I collaborated with senior staff and was tasked with creating guidance documents to aid in resolving disputes constructively. - Action
I initiated a mentoring program for junior colleagues, offering support and guidance on handling professional challenges. Additionally, I implemented measures to ensure new team members were matched with senior mentors and encouraged senior management to discuss key decisions openly with the team. - Result
The mentoring program evolved into a formal departmental scheme, creating a structured pathway for staff to raise concerns openly and fostering stronger, more supportive relationships across the department. This initiative has since become a cornerstone for maintaining a collaborative and positive research culture.