The Integrity Committee

All research institutions are required by law to have an integrity committee. USN has established this in collaboration with the University of Inland Norway (INN). The committee will consider and issue a statement on cases of possible violations of recognized research ethical standards involving employees of the two institutions. Everyone has the right to report cases, including individuals and organizations outside USN.

The Integrity Committee consists of five members with expertise in research, research ethics and law. The chair of the committee is external and has legal expertise. USN and INN each provide two members who reflect the professional breadth of the two institutions. The committee is appointed by the board and shall act independently of the ordinary line organization at USN and INN.

Here you will find more information about research ethics at USN, how USN handles cases of possible violations of research ethics standards and a reporting form for cases.

Members

  • Annette Birkeland, Legal Advisor, chair, Oslo municipality.
  • Halvor Nordby, Professor, Medical Ethics, INN, Lillehammer.
  • Kjartan Østbye, Professor, Echology/Genetics, INN, Evenstad.
  • Lars-André Tokheim, Professor, Process/Energy/Environment, USN.
  • Susan Lee Nacey, Professor, Lingvistics/Engelish, deputy member, INN.
  • Truls Juritzen, Associate Professor, Healt Care/Nursing, deputy member, USN.

Annual reports

The Integrity Committee sends an annual report on its activities to the boards of USN and INN. The report states the number of cases handled and the content of any statements from the committee.

Purpose and tasks

When reporting cases, the committee must always decide on the following (Research Ethics Act Section 8):

  1. Whether the researcher has acted scientifically dishonestly or not.
  2. Whether there are systemic errors at the institution, and
  3. Whether the scientific work should be corrected or withdrawn. If the committee concludes that a researcher has acted scientifically dishonestly, it may lead to sanctions. Statements that conclude that a researcher has acted scientifically dishonest can be appealed by the researcher to the National Review Committee.

For more information; mandate and guidelines.

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