Report suspected scientific misconduct
To uphold trust in the research conducted at Örebro University, it is of utmost importance that any suspicions of research misconduct are reported and investigated. Here is more information on how you can report suspected research misconduct and who you can contact.
How Örebro University handles matters relating to suspicions of research misconduct and other deviations from good research practice are stated in its guidelines (see document section below).
Reporting on and investigating suspected research misconduct
According to the Act on Responsibility for Good Research Practice and the Examination of Research Misconduct (2019:504), the definition of research misconduct is "a serious deviation from good research practice in the form of fabrication, falsification or plagiarism that is committed intentionally or through gross negligence when planning, conducting or reporting research".
The National Board for Assessment of Research Misconduct (NPOF) handles matters concerning suspicions of research misconduct in accordance with the definition provided in legislation.
You can contact NPOF directly if you have questions or to file a complaint. It is also possible to contact the following office/body at Örebro University:
- Vice-chancellor
- Research Ethics Committee
- Records Office
The University refers all matters on suspicion of research misconduct to NPOF. The form at the bottom of this page can be used as a guide for filing the complaint.
Suspicions of other deviations from good research practice
The Research Ethics Committee handles cases where there are suspicions of other deviations from good research practice. The Research Ethics Committee bases its process on the European Code of Conduct for Research Integrity (ALLEA) and on guiding principles by the Association of Swedish Higher Education Institutions (SUHF). An investigation is launched on suspicion of other deviations from good research practice in those cases when such "deviations may have resulted in damage to the integrity of the research process or of researchers". Examples of such deviations are stated in the European Code of Conduct for Research Integrity.
You can contact the follwing office/body at Örebro University for questions or to file a complaint:
- Vice-chancellor
- Research Ethics Committee
- Records Office
Any complaint that the University deems could be classified as suspicion of research misconduct will be referred to NPOF.
Making an anonymous complaint
Employees at Örebro University may also use the university’s whistleblowing feature to point out irregularities anonymously. However, to facilitate examination of a complaint relating to suspicions ofresearch misconduct and other deviations from good research practice, further information is usually required from the complainant, making anonymity difficult to maintain.