Alleged violations of research integrity (so-called RI violations) are investigated in the research organisation where the alleged violation has taken place. The process of handling alleged violations of research integrity, or the RI process, must be followed in all organisations committed to the RI Guidelines (PDF). In the following, the term 'organisations' refers to those organisations in Finland that have committed to the RI Guidelines.
Notification of an alleged RI violation is made using TENK's notification form. The notification is submitted to the leader of the organisation where the case in question has taken place.
When a notification of an RI violation (past or ongoing) is submitted, the organisation needs to initiate the RI process. The director of the organisation is responsible for ensuring that the RI process is followed throughout the investigation. The director’s responsibility is to make the decisions, and this responsibility needs to be transferred to another party if there is a conflict of interest.
The principles of good governance and regulations on disqualification in the Administrative Procedure Act apply in the RI process. Investigating alleged RI violations is part of the self-regulation of the research community.
TENK can be requested for a statement on the conclusion of an RI process. In its statements, TENK only comments on questions related to research integrity, i.e. whether the RI process has been carried out in accordance with the Finnish Code of Conduct for Research Integrity and Procedures for Handling Alleged Violations of Research Integrity in Finland (PDF), and whether good research practice has been breached.
