Scientific integrity

General framework

In France, scientific integrity is now defined in the Research Code as the set of rules and values that must govern research activities in order to guarantee that they are honest and rigorous. Essential to the smooth running of scientific communities, scientific integrity is also the foundation of a relationship of trust between the research world and society.
 

Interview with Isabelle Delpla

The Vice-President for Research answers questions about Jean Moulin Lyon 3 University’s policy on scientific integrity.
 

What has the decree of 3 December 2021 “on compliance with scientific integrity requirements by public establishments” changed for Jean Moulin University?

Isabelle Delpla : Scientific integrity (SI) is a long-standing commitment for our University, and the institution had already anticipated many of the provisions of the decree, through its involvement in the key principles of the HRS4R label.

? View the Decree n° 2021-1572 of 3 December 2021 on compliance with scientific integrity requirements (in French)

And how do these provisions work in practice?

I. D. : Jean Moulin University was one of the first universities to introduce systematic plagiarism detection for theses prior to defence, by using Compilatio software and setting up an IT Resource Centre. Rather than punishing plagiarism, which is one option, we aim to prevent it by providing individual support to doctoral students and thesis supervisors. The creation of the CADOR unit (support unit for research data management), at the forefront of humanities and social sciences research data management, underlines this commitment.

The University is also doing its utmost to develop an SI culture, through its collegiate bodies and training courses, and by making scientific integrity an integral part of its internal research aids. Close and fruitful cooperation has been established between the Scientific Integrity Officer and the Research and Doctoral Studies Department, in conjunction with the Ethics Officer, by field of activity, to develop procedures for handling contentious cases.

Can scientific integrity be reduced to the fight against plagiarism?

I. D. : Certainly not. The four major principles of scientific integrity (Reliability, Honesty, Respect, Accountability) must permeate the different research components, from peer relations to the monitoring of doctoral students and the accessibility of research data, in keeping with an open science approach. SI is an integral part of our University’s research activity.

What is the impact of this policy?

I. D. : It is difficult to measure the impact statistically, as serious SI breaches are fortunately relatively rare. Instead, we need to look at the change in discourse and practices. The IT Resource Centre has become an essential step, recommended by thesis supervisors, and no longer merely a service consulted on the initiative of doctoral students. The challenges of SI are better identified within the university community and it is becoming more natural to consult the Scientific Integrity Officer.

SI is thus an indispensable compass in the ongoing debate on the challenges of generative artificial intelligence, treading the line between penalising its fraudulent uses and benefiting from these new research resources.