Handling of misconduct, violation of research integrity guidelines, at Aalto University
Guidelines on how research ethics misconduct cases are handled in Aalto
Research integrity
Research integrity consists of both preventing any harm caused to the research subject, and behaviour in the researcher community. These are prerequisites for research to be ethically acceptable and reliable, and for its results to be credible. Applying shared guidelines within the research community constitutes a form of self-regulation. Furthermore, the responsible conduct of research is an integral part of the quality assurance of research organisations.
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Research integrity guidelines
In Finland, the Finnish Advisory Board on Research Integrity (TENK) sets the research integrity guidelines in collaboration with the research community. These are closely aligned with the European Code of Conduct for Research Integrity, which EU funded projects must also adhere to. The basic principles of research integrity in the Finnish Code of Conduct are reliability, honesty, respect and accountability. The document outlines good scientific practices as well as defines what constitutes research misconduct, and explains the Finnish process of handling alledged violations of research integrity.
Aalto University has committed to following The Finnish Code of Conduct for Research Integrity and Procedures for Handling Alleged Violations of Research Integrity in Finlandset by the Finnish Advisory Board on Research Integrity (TENK). This commitment to the guidelines obliges organisations to comply with it in all research activities and fields of science. Thus, the commitment means that every member of the university community (researchers, students, other personnel) must know the requirements of good scientific practice and follow them.
Adhering to good scientific practice is part of the Aalto Code of Conduct.
Recommendations that support research integrity
To support the research integrity guidelines, the Finnish Advisory Board on Research Integrity (TENK) has also published recommendations on agreeing on authorship and CVs researchers.
- Authorship of research publications. TENK suggests that researchers participating in co-authored publications discuss the principles of authorship as early as possible, in writing. The practices vary across fields of science.
- Curriculum vitae (CV) for researchers. Researcher’s curriculum vitae should only contain verifiable items. This template helps to present an individual’s merits as comprehensively, truthfully and as comparably as possible. The CV template was updated spring 2020.
Defining the Role of Authors
Guidance and documents available to help you to agree on authorship.
Research integrity adviser network
Research integrity advisers are trained by the Finnish Advisory Board on Research Integrity (TENK) and offer Aalto University's researchers support on research integrity matters in a confidential manner. They provide a neutral source of advice on research integrity questions and can guide on how to start an official process of handling misconduct (RCR). They do not make a decision whether scientific misconduct has taken place or not, nor do they start investigating the cases. The research integrity advisers do not handle issues regarding cheating in studies nor ethical pre-reviews.
Research integrity advisers can be contacted directly, details below.
Handling violations
Responsible use of Generative Artificial Intelligence in the research process
The guidelines are based on guidelines of the European Research Area Forum.
These guidelines focus on one particular type of AI used in the research process: generative AI. The goal of these guidelines is to prevent misuse and ensure that generative AI plays a positive role as part of research practices.
The key principles for the responsible use of generative AI in research are:
• Reliability in ensuring the quality of research, reflected in the design, methodology, analysis and use of resources. This includes aspects related to verifying and reproducing the information produced by the AI for research. It also involves being aware of possible equality and non-discrimination issues in relation to bias and inaccuracies.
• Honesty in developing, carrying out, reviewing, reporting and communicating on research transparently, fairly, thoroughly and impartially. This principle includes disclosing that generative AI has been used.
• Respect for colleagues, research participants, research subjects, society, ecosystems, cultural heritage and the environment. Responsible use of generative AI should consider the limitations of the technology, its environmental impact16 and its societal effects (bias, diversity, non-discrimination, fairness and prevention of harm). This includes the proper management of information, respect for privacy, confidentiality and intellectual property rights, and proper citation.
• Accountability for the research from idea to publication, for its management and organisation, for training, supervision and mentoring, and for its wider societal impacts. This includes responsibility for all output that a researcher produces, underpinned by the notion of human agency and oversight.
Aalto University Code of Academic Integrity in Studies (in force from 1 January 2025)
Aalto University Code of Academic Integrity in Studies
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