Ethics and scientific integrity

The development of high-quality research goes hand in hand with questioning the ethical aspects of the scientific approaches being implemented. These aspects may concern the ethics of research protocols or the scientific integrity of those involved in the research.

Research ethics are dealt with by a specific ethics committee. Questions of scientific integrity fall within the remit of an advisor appointed by the university.

Research Ethics Committee

The aims and consequences of the discoveries made in the course of research, and the applications that can be derived from them, raise many questions. The university has set up an institutional ethics committee that is responsible for formulating opinions and recommendations to better integrate ethical issues into research projects, and evaluating research protocols involving human subjects.

Its role

The main role of the CER is to provide a concrete assessment of the ethical compliance of research protocols involving human subjects. At the end of a collective, multidisciplinary process, the CER issues a written opinion on the research protocols. A forum for multi-disciplinary exchange and debate, the CER’s work is also linked to the work carried out as part of the personal protection committees (comités de protection des personnes; CPP) to cover all requests and needs arising from researchers carrying out studies involving human data and/or human beings.

Scientific integrity

Scientific integrity refers to the set of values and rules that guarantee honesty and rigour in research and higher education. It is essential to the cohesion of research groups and to maintaining society’s trust in science.

The scientific integrity advisor

The duties of the University of Lille’s integrity advisor are:

  • to ensure the proper implementation of the institution’s general scientific integrity policy;

  • to ensure that systems and procedures are in place to prevent and deal with breaches of scientific integrity;

  • to report to the head of the institution.

He/she is the first point of contact for all those involved in research who may have a question about scientific integrity, and for all those who believe they have observed a breach that merits action.

Contacts