Erasmus MC Action Plan

Scientific Integrity 2013-2015

Introduction:

Scientific integrity is the sole and foundation of any academic institution

Breaches of scientific integrity cause broad public commotion

Notorious cases:• Stapel• Poldermans • Smeesters

KNAW commission Schuyt:We don’t need new rules; we need better maintenance of rules.

Existing Rules

VSNU Code of Conduct for Scientific Practice http://www.vsnu.nl/files/documenten/Domeinen/Onderzoek/Code_wetenschapsbeoefening_2004_(2012).pdf

Erasmus MC Research Codes http://www.erasmusmc.nl/research/over-research/integriteit/

Erasmus MC action plan:(2013-2015)

Topics: •Culture •Education•Digitalizing and storage of research data

Goal:Scientific integrity is evidently anchored in all Erasmus MC departments

Execution :On behalf of the board of directors, the coordinator SI makes agreements with all departments

Agreements:

1.Each department makes its own action plan SI

2.Each department action plan contains at any rate 15 testable goals, which are applicable for all departments: 7 on research culture, 2 on education an 6 on digitalization and storage of research data.

3.The head of department is responsible for the implementation and the execution of the department action plan. This plan will be signed by the head of department and the dean.

4.On the basis of the testable goals, the department action plan will be evaluated and actualized from 2013 to 2015, according to a fixed framework, in cooperation with the coordinator SI.

5.The first version of the department action plan defines the steps that the department will take to reach the testable goals .

6.As far as digitalization and storage of research data are concerned, this first version defines the logistic and technical bottle necks foreseen by the department and the central support desired for the solution of these bottle neck

Goals Culture :

1. The department encouraged awareness as far as SI is concerned, by organizing meetings like roadshows, discussion sessions, seminars etc.

2. SI is regularly placed on the agenda of all sorts of work related meetings including formal personal evaluations.

3. The department did analyze its possible fragility as far as SI is concerned. (What aspects of our research are potentially susceptible for scientific misconduct)

4. Measures to minimize the department’s fragility as far as SI is concerned, are developed and implemented;

5. Guidelines are implemented with respect to bringing up possible breaches of SI by department employees. (The possibility to approach the Erasmus MC confidential counselor SI must always be open for all employees)

6. The Erasmus MC guidelines on publishing and authorships (Erasmus MC Research Codes, chapter 1) are always be followed.

7. Measures are implemented that prevent researchers to operate in isolation without systematic discussion with, peers within as well as outside the department.

Goals Education

8.SI is incorporated in the departments education curriculum.

9.All PhD students follow the one day SI course starting from January 2014

Goals digitalization and storage of research data:

10.All research data will finally be digitalized in a version suitable for storage in a digital depot.

11.Each department uses one or more depots, which apply to high standards for durability, accessibility and safety.

12.For every publication the following documentation is stored in such depots:

• the publication (in concept) itself • the research protocol involved• completed and signed informed consent forms (as far as

applicable)• the collected raw data• meta data • the (statistic) analysis base• analysis results

13. Data in storage are unchangeable

14. Data in storage are simply and quickly to be found. In a register the place of storage of all documentation is to be found for each publication.

15. All data in storage are accessible for (representatives of) the Board of Directors

Departments are free to deliver a joined action plan, for instance on thema level.

Deadlines for delivery first version of department action plan SI: Thorax: 01-10-2013

Biomedische Wetenschappen: 01-10-2013

Daniel: 01-11-2013

Diagnostiek & Advies: 01-11-2013

Hersenen & Zintuigen: 01-12-2013

Sophia: 01-12-2013

Gezondheidswetenschappen: 01-12-2013

Dijkzigt: 01-01-2014

Peri-Operatief & Spoed: 01-01-2014