Misconduct in research

How reports about misconduct in research are handled

When the University receives a report of misconduct, the Vice-Chancellor is notified, and the Vice-Chancellor refers the report to the Board for Investigation of Misconduct in Research.

1. The accused researcher is informed and an inquiry begins. A reporting officer on the Board is appointed.
2. The researcher is offered an opportunity to comment.
3. The Board may obtain the opinions of experts, of which at least one is to be from another higher education institution. The expert’s task is to analyse certain specific issues that are important to the inquiry. During the process, additional documentation may be requested.
4. The University may, if necessary, seek the opinion of the Central Ethical Review Board, but is always to do so if the person making the allegation or the person being accused desires it and it is not obviously unnecessary.
5. When the experts have made their assessment, the accused individual is to be given an opportunity to comment on the assessment.
6. When the inquiry is completed, the Board writes a statement of opinion for the Vice-Chancellor, who makes the final decision.
7. If the allegations are confirmed, the Vice-Chancellor then decides on a process for possible penalties and disciplinary measures.
8. If the study has been published, the publication concerned and any funding agency are contacted.

This applies to reports of misconduct in research received by Uppsala University beginning on 1 January 2017. The report and decisions on cases of suspected misconduct in research are public documents.

All complaints are investigated until it is determined that they clearly deal with something else or are clearly unfounded. In that case, the Vice-Chancellor decides not to investigate, based on presentation of a written report by the Chair of the Board.

Uppsala University’s regulations for the procedure to report misconduct in research (UFV 2016/1079).