Academic Integrity
It is of vital importance for all academic researchers to be aware of the prevailing standards of conduct and regulations.
Increasing concern is being paid in many areas of society to the observance of standards of conduct and integrity issues. A characteristic of this growing concern is that many organisations are themselves starting to promote concern for proper conduct in a broad sense within their ranks, taking measures to increase awareness and possibly even imposing sanctions in instances where the required standards of conduct are not observed.
This tendency is apparent in both public and private organisations. A code of conduct for the legal profession has been in place for a number of years, including a complaints procedure and disciplinary measures. Such developments have only recently become apparent within the Public Prosecution Service and the Courts, but they have now been developed into codes of conduct.
It is then not surprising that there has in recent years been growing concern for such issues within universities. This concern has manifested itself in concrete terms in a number of notices, codes and regulations, which give a good overview of the standards of conduct which you as a (future) academic are required to observe, as well as of the regulations and procedures which may be applied if these standards of conduct are infringed.
It is extremely important for you as a academic researcher to be aware of the existence of these standards of conduct and that you also comply with such standards. Experience has shown that researchers are not sufficiently aware of their own vulnerability in this area. In many cases this awareness is only felt once a problem has occurred and damage has already been done.
Leiden Regulation
A Leiden University Regulation on Scientific Integrity has been established within Leiden University, based on these agreements, whereby a Committee on Scientific Integrity will be appointed and a complaints procedure will be drawn up.has been established within Leiden University, based on these agreements, whereby a Committee on Scientific Integrity will be appointed and a complaints procedure will be drawn up.
Documents
The following is a summary of the main information which may be relevant for you as a researcher within the Leiden Law School:
- Notice on Scientific Integrity, 2001 (in Dutch) Relates to the standards of conduct relating to academic research and a National Committee for Scientific Integrity established by the KNAW, NWO and VSNU.
- Advice by the Social Sciences Council, 2003 Code of Conduct for the use of personal information in academic research, published by KNAW.
- Netherlands Code of Conduct for Scientific Practice, 2004
- Leiden University Regulation on Scientific Integrity
LOWI
A National Committee for Scientific Integrity (LOWI) has been established which, on the basis of voluntary commitment by the institutions of research organisations, can play a role in disputes relating to the academic integrity of researchers and research organisations. The procedures are managed by the universities, where a confidential adviser or confidential committee are appointed to deal with suspected infringements of integrity.
In the event of a suspected infringement of these regulations, you may submit a complaint to the committee in accordance with the procedure laid down in these regulations. You are at liberty to first put the case to your departmental chairman or the Dean of the Faculty. The secretariat of the committee is located at the Legal Affairs Department of Leiden University, Rapenburg 70. The chairman of this committee is prof. mr. J.H. Nieuwenhuis.