Research integrity and Ethics Committee

Practise oriented research has become one of the main objectives of higher education. In our sector we build on a tradition of thorough research in which no violations of scientific integrity have come to light.

The Dutch Code of Conduct on Research Integrity has been binding since the 1st of October 2018 for all research that is conducted on THUAS. Additionally it serves as a framework for graduation research, research-internships and education in research skills.

The Code of Conduct names five principles for good research practice:

  • Honestly
  • Diligence
  • Transparency
  • Independence
  • Responsibility

These principles are further developed upon in 61 norms for responsible conduct in the different phases of research, from proposal to execution and reporting to publishing. The Code of Conduct encompasses duties of care: the training and supervision in relation to integrity of research, the support culture, research data management, publication, a confidential councillor and the establishment of the Ethics Committee.

Confidential councillor research integrity

Since January 2020 THUAS welcomed former lector and fellow Dr. Jos Walenkamp as confidential councillor research integrity. He is available for all those with questions concerning suspicions of violations of the Code of Conduct within THUAS. Actions that could be called into question are for example falsifying or deliberately misinterpreting research results, plagiarism or giving in to pressure from clients to alter research results. Dr. Walenkamp can support in the process of addressing these issues. If necessary he can also help in filing a complaint before the commission.

Contact the confidential councillor research integrity via [email protected].

Commission Research Integrity

THUAS established a Commission Research Integrity in light of its responsibilities following the Code of Conduct Research Integrity, which concerns itself with complaints in regards to research integrity. This committee can be reached via the confidential councillor research integrity or the secretary ([email protected]).

The Scientific Integrity Committee consists of:

  • Professor Mr. S. Taekema (chairman)
  • Professor L.J.F. Guérin (member)
  • Professor J. van Hoof (member)

Ethics Committee

What does the Ethics Committee do?

The Ethics Committee advises you as research on ethical aspects in your research project. Preferably, the advice is called for before the start of your research project. However, researchers can also ask for advice during the process when faced with dilemma’s or when a journal or subsidy supplier asks for an ethical advice report.

The following questions are priority for the committee:

  • How are the interests of participants to your research protected?
  • Are participants to your research adequately informed about their participation?
Composition committee

The Ethics Committee consists out of four voluntary committee-members which have expertise in research ethics and fulfil this role next to their position as lector, coordinator or manager. The Research Team (OKC) supports this committee.

Which questions are relevant for the Ethics Committee?

Yes:

  1. Advise on the effects of the research, on participants, researchers, the environment, society, animals and cultural heritage.
  2. Advise on working with participants, for example in the following cases:
    1. If participants are in a vulnerable position or incapacitated where filling in an informed consent requires extra attention (e.g. children, people in nursing homes, etc.);
    2. If participants take part in the research without being aware of it and therefore have not given their consent (e.g. observation in public spaces);
    3. If participants are misled during the research, to such an extent that they experience discomfort at the end of the experiment;
    4. If taking part in the experiment can possibly cause psychological or physical consequences for participants, such as anxiety, stress or other negative consequences; 
    5. If collecting images, photograph’s or other data in which participants can be recognized is part of the study.
  3. Advise on methodology with ethical aspects to it; for example when the welfare of participants is potentially at stake due to manipulation in the experiment.

No:

  1. Answering questions about data management; if you have questions about data management please send an email to [email protected].
  2. Answering privacy related questions; if you have any questions about privacy, please contact the Privacy Officer (Dutch: Functionaris Gegevensbescherming) via [email protected].
  3. Handling complaints about research integrity; for this you can contact the Confidential Advisor on Research Integrity (Dutch: Vertrouwenspersoon Integriteit).
  4. Advise on the content of Research that falls under the Medical Research Involving Human Subjects Act (WMO); this is done by an MREC (Medical Research Ethics Committee). This decision aid will help you decide if your research must undergo a review by an accredited MREC.

For more information, go to the website of CCMO.

How can I send a request?

Visit our intranet-page for more information and to send a request to the Ethics Committee.