Scientific integrity
Scientific integrity is a fundamental pillar of research. It is based on the principles of honesty, rigor, transparency, and accountability, which ensure the quality of scientific work and the public’s trust in the knowledge produced.
The commitments, mechanisms, and resources implemented to promote and support these principles are listed on this page.
Definition
Scientific integrity is defined as the set of rules and values that must govern research activities to ensure their honesty and scientific rigor.
1.
Scientific integrity helps ensure the impartiality of research and the objectivity of its results.
2.
Compliance with these rules is essential to maintaining the public’s trust in researchers.
A Few Clarifications on Terminology
Ethics is the reflection on the values that motivate our actions and on their consequences; it appeals to our sense of morality and our sense of responsibility
Professional ethics is the set of duties and obligations imposed on a profession, a position, or a role
Scientific integrity refers to the “proper” conduct of research practices
Fundamental Principles
Best Practices in Research
Reliability
Ensuring the quality of the research (i.e., methodology)
Honesty
Conduct, undertake, evaluate, report, and disseminate research in a transparent, fair, comprehensive, and objective manner
Respect
For all research participants, society, ecosystems, cultural heritage, and the environment
Responsibility
Assumed for research activities (from concept to publication, management, organization, training, supervision, and mentoring, implications, etc.)
Scientific Integrity at Mines Paris – PSL
The school is a signatory to the Code of Ethics for Research Professions and PSL’s Charter on Scientific Integrity.
Scientific Integrity Officer (RIS)
Isabelle Thénevin
Its mission is to advise and support staff on matters of scientific integrity, coordinate training initiatives, receive reports of alleged violations, and investigate them in accordance with the Hcéres/Ofis recommendations (regarding the procedure for institutions to handle reports of violations of scientific integrity requirements, available below).
It may be contacted for training sessions, requests for additional information, to discuss challenges encountered, to propose initiatives, etc.
Procedure for “Handling Reports Related to Scientific Integrity”
Research Support
Mines Paris – PSL Library
In coordination with the Library, training sessions are offered to doctoral students through the doctoral schools, as well as to faculty members and all interested staff.
Across Europe
European Commission
As part of the European HRS4R initiative, the school adheres to the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for Recruitment.
Institutional Stakeholders
French Office for Scientific Integrity (OFIS)
Reference documents, practical guides, news, directory of liaisons…
Paris Sciences & Lettres University (PSL)
PSL’s Scientific Integrity Charter, documents and links, data management plan, open science, contact persons…
CNRS
At the CNRS, the values of professional conduct, scientific integrity, and ethics are fundamental and form the foundation of the organization’s responsibility in the areas of research and innovation.