NMBU research ethics forum

According to the research ethics act (Lov om organisering av forskningsetisk arbeid) the research institutions have the main responsibility for research integrity. The institutions shall promote good and ethically responsible science, and treat cases concerning possible misconduct. However, a recent report by Riksrevisjonen, from 2021, concludes that there is insufficient knowledge about research ethics in academic institutions, and that one needs to make ethics a priority.

"Role models, as supervisors and research leaders, seem to have more influence than us who work in research ethics... We need to create an academic culture where being a good researcher also means to have good moral integrity."

Bjørn Hofmann, Professor in medical ethics (read more)

In a national study of research integrity in Norway (RINO), 40% of 7000 researchers answer that they have been involved in one or more 'questionable research practices' in the last 3 years. 60% answer that they got little or no training in research ethics. 31% says they changed a study after pressure from stakeholders. 1/3 answers that they have been involved in including co-authors who didn't meet the criteria for authorship.

One might have some questions:

• What counts as scientific misconduct?
• Is research ethics a legal or moral matter? Where are the boundaries?
• Research should be carried out in accordance with national and international research ethics guidelines and norms. What are these, and where can I find more information about them?
• How does PhD-supervision with co-authorship differ from PhD-supervision without co-authorship?
• What to do when a project requires ethical approval before publication or when applying for funding?

This forum is the place to learn more about research ethics and to share experiences and dilemmas that one encounters as researcher. Bring your Phd-candidate, your Postdoc, your colleague or your supervisor with you to the forum!

Send us tips on themes you would like us to include in the program to rani.anjum@nmbu.no.

PROGRAM - RESEARCH ETHICS FORUM

Meetings take place in 'Innsikten', University Library, Veterinary building.

Contact: Rani Lill Anjum, rani.anjum@nmbu.no

Useful resources

• Norwegian National Research Ethics Committees

  Norwegian National Research Ethics Committees (EN) (NO)
• Ethics at NMBU

  Ethics at NMBU (EN) (NO)

• National guidelines

  National guidelines (EN) (NO)

  • Medicine and health (EN) (NO)
  • Science and technology (EN) (NO)
  • Social science and humanities (EN) (NO)
• European guidelines

  European guidelines (EN) (NO)

• Data protection, consent and confidentiality

  • Informed consent (EN) (NO)
  • Confidentiality (EN) (NO)
  • The personal data act (Personopplysningsloven) (EN) (NO)
  • Responsibility concerning the individual (EN) (NO)
  • Duty of secrecy (taushetsplikt) (EN) (NO)
  • Personal and sensitive data - NMBU (EN) (NO)
• Responsible research

  • The research/societal relationship (EN) (NO)
  • Research and environment (EN) (NO)
  • Research on particular groups (EN) (NO)
• Scientific misconduct

  Scientific misconduct: fraud and plagiarism (EN) (NO)

• Co-authorship

  Co-authorship (EN) (NO)

  • Medicine and health (EN) (NO)
  • Science and technology (EN) (NO)
  • Social science and humanities (EN) (NO)
• Academic publishing

  • Open access publications (EN) (NO)
  • Avoiding predatory publishers (COPE)
  • Identify trusted publishers (Think. Check. Submit)
  • 10 tips for å unngå røvertidsskrift (FEK & forskning.no)
  • The impact factor game (EN)
  • The mysterious case of the bouncing impact factor (EN)
• Applying for ethical approval

  • EU grants guide (pdf download)
  • Types and examples (Scribbr)
  • Cambridge University guide
• Resources for teaching ethics

  Resources for teaching ethics (NO) (EN)

• Forskningsetikk - free magasin

  Forskningsetikk - free magasin (NO)

• NENT

  Føre-var prinsippet. Mellom forskning og politikk (NENT publikasjon, kun på norsk)