About the National Survey on Research Integrity
WHAT IS NSRI?
The National Survey on Research Integrity (NSRI) is a unique endeavor to acquire a solid empirical basis for building strategies to foster Responsible Research Practices (RRPs) in the Netherlands and beyond.
The NSRI takes a science-overarching perspective and acknowledges the differences between scientific disciplines. It also acknowledges the complexity of the science system by addressing the roles of all major stakeholders (such as researchers, institutions, funders, and journals).
WHY NSRI?
To merit society’s trust and investment, all scientific enterprises have the responsibility to ensure that the science it produces can be relied on.
Although the importance of fostering responsible research practices is widely recognized, the factors that hinder them are still largely unknown. It is also unclear which strategies should be employed to decrease the occurrence of questionable research practices.
There are many initiatives aimed at promoting research integrity, but there is not much solid empirical evidence that may guide us in designing strategies to enhance the responsible practice of research.
FOR WHOM?
We believe our study findings are relevant for scientists, research institutions, funders, and publishers of scientific research.
The National Survey of Research Integrity (NSRI) is unique in a number of ways:
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It aims to provide valid disciplinary field-specific estimates on the occurrence of responsible research practices and questionable research practices across the biomedical sciences, the humanities, natural sciences and engineering, and the social and behavioral sciences.
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It targets the entire population of academic researchers in The Netherlands; the largest sample ever studied in research integrity to-date.
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The survey will employ a technique known as the Randomized Response (RR) which has shown to elicit more honest answers around sensitive topics.
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It will examine a broad range of factors that may impact on scholars engagement in responsible research practices and questionable research practices.
When will the results of NSRI be available?
We expect the results to be available in the first quarter of 2021. Once the data have been analyzed, the outcomes from the NSRI will be available through preprints, other Open Access publications and through (inter)national conferences.
The NSRI results will also be used to develop action plans on how to foster responsible research practices in the Netherlands. Plans will be tailored to the major stakeholders and the four domains of science. These action plans will be co-created with representatives from each domain, in collaboration with a professional change implementation organization.