The reliability and credibility of the results of scientific research require that research follows the premises of the responsible conduct of research. The entire scientific community and each individual researcher are responsible for following the responsible conduct of research.
The University of Helsinki is committed to observing the Guidelines for Good Scientific Practice and Procedures for Handling Misconduct and Fraud in Science of the Finnish National Board on Research Integrity TENK.
Research ethics are assessed in the University’s own research ethics committees. The ethical review of research serves two purposes: it protects the research subjects and ensures the researcher’s legal protection. Many research funding agencies and publishers require that an ethical review be conducted.
Research ethics are closely linked with other topics of research integrity, in other words, research data management, data protection and open access to research publications. When reviewing the ethical quality of a study, it is crucial to familiarise oneself with, for example, ethical considerations related to research data management.
Research ethical matters in the University of Helsinki are coordinated by Senior Advisor (Research Services) Aura Kivilaakso, PhD.
At the national level, several advisory councils and committees are tasked with the coordination and promotion of research ethics while simultaneously harmonising practices and monitoring scientific progress.
Most of the national expert bodies dealing with research ethics operate under the auspices of the Ministry of Education and Culture, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.
The national expert bodies are: