Research integrity

Research is hugely important at The Open University and underpins our teaching and curriculum.

We conduct research on campus through state of the art equipment in our labs, which allow us to simulate conditions on Earth and in Space and to conduct research and teaching remotely 24 hours a day.

We also do research which involves fieldwork and are developing our facilities to do this virtually.

Our research is designed to have impact, influence policy and practice and change lives for the better.

We maximise our impact through major collaborations with external organisations, ranging from public bodies to third sector to business.

The wider research community, as well as society more generally, needs to have confidence in the research that we do.

That’s why it is important that all research is underpinned with common values of rigour and integrity set out in the Universities UK Concordat to Support Research Integrity.

Research integrity means conducting research in ways that allow others to have trust and confidence I the methods used, and the findings that result from the research.

The OU expects that research conducted on its behalf will be based in the principles of high standards, honesty, openness, accountability, integrity, inclusion and safety.

These standards are set out in the OU Code of Practice for Research and apply to everyone who conducts, supervises and supports OU research, including postgraduate research students, and visiting researchers.

The Code of Practice requires that OU researchers practice to the highest professional, ethical and legal standards using honest, rigorous and verifiable methods for research in order to avoid any claims of malpractice.

Ethics approval must be obtained for research involving humans and non-human animals.

Reported results should be accurate and fair.

Therefore, it is important that OU researchers read the Code of Practice to familiarise themselves with what is required of them.

It is the responsibility of my office, the Pro-Vice-Chancellor in Research and Academic Strategy, the Executive Deans, and Directors, to foster a climate in which research id conducted with integrity.

Training is provided on various aspects of research integrity, including ethics, management of research data, and broader research conduct questions and issues.

Across the OU, individual supervisors and team leaders will provide leadership and encouragement to meet the highest standards.

If you have any concerns, please discuss them with your line manager, Head of School, or Executive Dean.

Concerns raised in good faith will always be taken seriously and considered fairly.

The unit concerned should seek the advice of the Governance and Ethics team in Research and Academic Strategy at an early state, so that the issue can be dealt with properly.

For more information on research integrity, and our Code of Practice and training opportunities, please visit our OU Research Integrity page or contact our Governance and Ethics team in Research and Academic Strategy.