Scientific integrity

Scientific integrity is founded on reliability, honesty, respect and responsibility. These four principles guide scientists in their work and in dealing with practical, ethical and intellectual challenges arising in their research and teaching activity.

The ETH Zurich Guidelines on Scientific Integrity (Integrity Guidelines, RSETHZ 414) clarify how the basic principles relate to various aspects of scientific activity. The Integrity Guidelines must be observed by all ETH members involved in scientific activity in research and teaching. They apply in general to all disciplines while allowing scope for tailoring to specific disciplines.

Scientific integrity means the commitment to sound practices ensuring that:

• Young scientists are appropriately supervised.
• All sources (texts, data, illustrations, videos etc.) used in research and teaching are clearly identifiable, comprehensible and traceable.
• Research data and procedural steps relating to the publication of research results are carefully documented and archived.
• No research data or results are fabricated. The origin and creation of the data must be verifiable. Any changes, omissions or additions to the collected data must be explained and comprehensible.
• Only those individuals who meet the requirements set out in the Integrity Guidelines are named as authors in scientific publications. The order in which authors are named corresponds to the conventions of the discipline.
• Objectivity, impartiality and confidentiality are observed when preparing scientific reports.
  

All scientists are responsible for ensuring that their conduct complies with the standards of good scientific practice. Accordingly, they regularly refresh their knowledge of good scientific practice in their particular discipline.

Researchers in a leadership or supervisory position

• pass on to their team the basic principles of scientific integrity and the binding standards of good scientific practice in education and training.
• are responsible for ensuring that their team is aware of and implements the Integrity Guidelines (RSETHZ 414) and standards of good scientific practice.

• Ensure that your staff are aware of and follow the Integrity Guidelines and the citation etiquette. 
• Don’t be afraid to address problematic behaviour openly. Endeavour to speak first with the persons concerned before turning to the trusted intermediary.

Guidance can be sought from ETH members in the following roles:

• Delegates for Good Scientific Practice (GSP delegates) assigned to the departments, for rules of good scientific practice and discipline-specific standards
• Trusted intermediaries, for queries or conflicts relating to scientific integrity (confidant@ethz.ch)