The responsibility for research ethics is specified in Guidelines from the Norwegian National Research Ethics Committees and international guidelines, such as ALLEA's Code of Conduct for Research Integrity.
Research ethics is a prerequisite for trust in research. It ensures integrity, confidentiality, and respect for research participants, fostering trust in the research process. Research depends on legitimacy and a good reputation.
Research Ethics Framework
On June 16, 2017, the University of South-Eastern Norway (USN) adopted a research ethics framework. This framework is based on recognised research ethical norms and builds on national and international research ethical guidelines.
The main points in the framework are:
- Openness and academic freedom
- Honesty, integrity, and respect
- Integrity and truthful research practices
- Research collaboration
- Publishing and co-authorship
- Social responsibility
- Professional responsibility and research quality
- Competence
- Contract research
Quality System for Health Research
Health research in Norway is governed by a specific set of regulations, the Health Research Act (2008). Its purpose is to protect research participants and ensure that medical and health-related research is conducted ethically. The act states that its goal is to "promote good and ethically responsible medical and health research" (Section 1). Specific guidelines apply to health research at USN. The guidelines outline the requirements for such research, how to comply with them, and the procedures in place to ensure adherence. Relevant links and resources are available under each section. More information about the Health Research Act.
Privacy in Research
USN has an agreement with Sikt, the Norwegian Agency for Shared Services in Education and Research. Sikt is responsible for pre-assessing all student and researcher projects at USN using personal data. This means that all such projects must be submitted to Sikt to evaluate their protection of personal data. Sikt must provide its recommendations before any project can begin.
A number of requirements apply to how student and researcher projects should process personal data. These requirements include how to register, evaluate, and manage such data to ensure privacy from the start to the end of the project. The guidelines are developed in accordance with privacy legislation as of July 20, 2018. The primary goal of these regulations is to strengthen individual rights.
Potential Breaches of Research Ethical Norms
The requirement for good research conduct and research practices is addressed in both the University and University College Act and the Research Ethics Act. When research institutions or individual researchers engage in ethically irresponsible behaviour or practices, the consequences can often extend far beyond the individuals involved.
All researchers have a duty of care and an obligation to follow recognised research ethical norms, as stated in Section 4 of the Research Ethics Act. The law requires USN to ensure that research conducted at the institution complies with recognised research ethical norms (Section 5). These norms have been developed by and for the research community and are established in national, international, and discipline-specific guidelines.
USN has specific guidelines for handling cases where potential breaches of ethical research conduct or practices are identified.
Processing Potential Breaches
Incidents involving potential breaches of research ethical norms should be addressed and resolved as quickly as possible and by the direct superior(s) of the person involved or the level administrator closest to the person involved.
If it is deemed possible and appropriate:
- Address the potential breach directly with the person involved.
- Seek advice from colleagues, the academic community, or others you trust at USN.
- Discuss the matter with your immediate supervisor or research group leader.
- Seek advice from the research ethics advisor in the Office for Research, Innovation and Library Services (AFIB) via forskningsetikk@usn.no.
If it is not possible to resolve a matter as outlined above, the incident can be reported using the form for breaches of research ethical guidelines.
The Integrity Committee
In accordance with Section 6 of the Research Ethics Act, USN is required to have an independent integrity committee. USN has established a joint integrity committee with the University of Innland Norway (INN). The committee is responsible for reviewing and providing statements on cases involving potential breaches of recognised research ethical norms at the two institutions.
If necessary, potential breaches of research ethical norms can be reported directly to the Integrity Committee by indicating in the breach notification form that the matter is being submitted directly to the committee.