OFIS publishes the French translation of the 2019 edition of the ENRIO (European Network of Research Integrity Offices) Handbook: "Recommendations for the Investigation of Research Misconduct"

How do we define misconduct and other unacceptable practices in research? How should allegations be handled? What action should be taken if an allegation involves several institutions and/or researchers from different countries? Why is it important to have a formal system dedicated to research integrity in each European country in order to address research misconduct, and is there a single model? What about countries that do not have dedicated research-integrity structures? Should the responsibility be local or national?

All these issues have been discussed by a working group composed of members of the ENRIO network (European Network of Research Integrity Offices). The group’s work has revealed that due to the different national contexts within Europe, there is no single model or system suitable for all circumstances, and that flexible harmonisation remains necessary.

In the framework of a funded project (ENERI project, Horizon 2020), the group has also produced a handbook of recommendations on handling misconduct and other unacceptable practices in research. This handbook is inspired by the European Code of Conduct for Research Integrity (2017) and other international standards, but its major interest also lies in the contributions and experience of ENRIO members, reflecting local or national differences in the implementation of these recommendations: the challenge is to learn from one another. The document has been translated into French by the OFIS and will be revised over time in order to reflect research-integrity-related developments.