‘Research integrity relates to the performance of research to the highest standards of professionalism and rigour, and to the accuracy and trustworthiness of the research record in publications and elsewhere’.
National Policy Statement on Ensuring Research Integrity in Ireland (2019)
In order to promote best practice in responsible research behaviour and in line with the National Policy Statement on Ensuring Research Integrity in Ireland, the HSE provides free online training on Research Integrity via HSELand.
The online training course is comprised of 8 core sections and a further 5 specialist modules. It is recommended that the ‘core modules’ are followed in sequence, and then followed by any or all ‘specialist modules’. It is also recommended that Research Integrity training should be undertaken/retaken at least once every three years.
The following are recommended nationally as comprising a “complete course” for researchers at different career stages:
- Early-stage researchers: Core modules 1-8 (Comprehensive)
- Experienced researchers: Core modules 1 and 2 (Concise)
- Specialist Modules 1-5 are optional and can be completed as standalone modules at any stage.
| Core Modules | Contents | |
| 1. Good Research Conduct | Definitions and concepts Professional responsibilities Public responsibilities Institutional responsibilities Personal responsibilities | |
| 2. Irresponsible Research Practices | Characterising misbehaviour Misconduct vs questionable research practices The impact of irresponsible practice Reporting irresponsible conduct | |
| 3. Planning your Research | Research plans The use and misuse of research plans Governance approvals Agreements The consequence of poor planning | |
| 4. Managing and Recording your Research | Project management The importance of a research record The format and content of research records Validation Data storage and retention Data ownership, protection and sharing | |
| 5. Data Selection, Analysis and Presentation | Data selection Data analysis Guiding virtues in data presentation Data presentation in practice: Writing Data presentation in practice: Tables, charts and graphs Data presentation in practice: Images | |
| 6. Scholarly Publication | Preparing to publish Journal selection Drafting your manuscript Assigning authorship Avoiding plagiarism Submission and review Post-publication responsibilities | |
| 7. Professional Responsibilities | Mentors and mentees Individual responsibilities in teams and collaborations Considerations for larger collaborations Best practices in peer review Irresponsible practices in peer review | |
| 8. Communication, Social Responsibility and Impact | Broader responsibilities Responsible communication Working with colleagues Working with the public Impact Setting high standards | |
| Specialist Modules | Contents | |
| 1. Conflicts of Interest | Identifying your interests Disclosing conflicts of interest Handling conflicts of interest in Ireland Institutional policies What can go wrong? | |
| 2. Research Involving Human Participants | Guiding principles Review and approval Preparing for review Irish policies and processes Ethical considerations Continuing responsibilities What can go wrong? | |
| 3. The Care and Use of Animals in Research | Basic responsibilities The 3Rs Irish care and use policies Institutional Programmes Continuing responsibilities Examples of problems and poor practice | |
| 4. Intellectual Property | Copyright Patents Ownership of intellectual property Irish intellectual property policies Intellectual property issues and problems | |
| 5. Export Controls | Coverage Advice and institutional support Export control policies in Ireland What can go wrong? | |
National Research Integrity Forum was established in June 2015 to coordinate and facilitate research integrity implementation activities nationally. The HSE is a member of its Community of Practice and is committed to ensuring the highest standards of integrity in all aspects of research.
Maintaining well-established ethical standards is an important aspect of upholding the integrity of the research process. The HSE Research Ethics Committee (REC) system exists to protect the safety, welfare, and rights of participants in health research.