With our focus on good scientific practice, we at CERes aim to:
- provide resources and support for doctoral and postdoctoral researchers to navigate ethical dilemmas and maintain research integrity
- collaborate with partners to provide training on good practices in various areas of research (e.g., documentation and publication of research findings, research funding acquisition)
- promote the dissemination and application of legal and ethical standards in research throughout the University
We understand good scientific practice as the fundamental prerequisite for excellent and credible scientific research (see, e.g., DFG 2019: 7). Compliance with good scientific practice enables us to remain true to general human and social values, such as trust in science, prosocial behaviour, integrity, and the respectful and efficient use of public resources.
Good scientific practice vs. scientific misconduct: A short overview
Good scientific practice
The values inherent in good scientific practice, such as the acknowledgement of originality and quality, honesty, openness to new findings, responsibility, independence, transparency, and reliability are firmly embedded in our scientific ethos. These values ensure that, as scientists, we work lege artis, conducting research according to ethical, legal and discipline-specific obligations and standards, including those of Open Science. For example, this involves meticulous handling and documentation of all research materials and data in line with recognised standards and practices within the respective discipline, a rigorous questioning of all findings, maintaining strict honesty as regards one’s contributions and those of other people (ensuring the protection and recognition of intellectual property), and applying Open Science Principles throughout the entire research process.
Scientific misconduct
Not every infringement of good scientific practice should be immediately categorised as scientific misconduct. Scientific misconduct involves intention or gross negligence and encompasses the following categories: 1) making false statements intentionally or due to gross negligence, such as fabricating or falsifying data or sources; 2) interfering with other people’s research activities (e.g., through sabotage or the destruction of documents or chemicals); 3) infringement of intellectual property, such as plagiarism or claiming other people’s authorship without their consent; and 4) bearing co-responsibility (e.g., by knowing about falsification and failing to take action or through a gross neglect of supervisory duties).
GSP at our University
All researchers at the University of Münster are responsible for exhibiting the fundamental values of good scientific practice in their conduct, and for advocating for them. In July 2023, the Senate passed the Statute “Securing good scientific practice”, which obliges researchers and academic staff of the University to exercise fairness and honesty in academic work. They are also obliged by the Statute to continuously update their knowledge about the standards of good scientific practice and to engage in dialogue with other scientists. There are numerous events organised by the individual faculties and Münster Centre for Emerging Researchers (CERes) for that purpose. Doctoral supervisors play an especially important role in teaching good scientific practice because, as heads of individual research units, they are responsible for supervising emerging researchers and supporting their careers. In line with the Statute, doctoral researchers and their supervisors can also be obliged to comply with the rules of good scientific practice through doctoral regulations and supervision agreements within the faculties.
Open Science at our University
The transparency and reliability of research according to the principles of open science are essential criteria of good scientific practice for the University of Münster (see Open Science Statement of the University of Münster). The University is committed to these principles and supports researchers from all disciplines with its Münster Center for Open Science (MüCOS) in implementing open science practices as a crucial part of good scientific practice. MüCOS is a central institution that networks, bundles and expands the open science offerings and expertise at the University of Münster.
Are you interested in gaining an overview of the actors in the field of open science at our University? Visit the Open Science – Actors webpage for information about the Center for Digital Humanities (CDH), the Service Center for Digital Humanities (SCDH), as well as the Open Science Commission of the Institutes for Psychology. Under Open Science – Associated Services, you can learn more about Digital Publishing, Open Access, and Research Data Management.
Live out the values of good scientific practice!
Undergo further training
The Münster Centre for Emerging Researchers (CERes) encourages researchers to grow their knowledge of standards of good scientific practice, offering events tailored to their needs. We are able to cover different aspects thanks to our internal partners, who contribute their expertise to the design, planning and running of the events (e.g., ULB Central Library and digital publishing). Visit our “Workshops” webpage for information about our current Good Scientific Practice events.
Browse our University's website to find other topically related courses that are offered by your faculty (e. g., Faculty of Medicine), structured doctoral programme (e.g., CiM-IMPRS) or other institutions at our University (e.g., IVV Natural Sciences).
Have a talk with advisors, when something’s “not right”
How do I handle a conflict in my supervisory relationship? To whom can I turn for answers about scientific misconduct? We at CERes offer impartial, fair, qualified, and strictly confidential advice. “Further advisory services” on this webpage lists other potential contact persons for researches at the University of Münster.
Would you like to learn what happens in a consultation and how advisory services can support you? Discover the brochure “How can I deal with conflicts and remain true to good scientific practice?”. This brochure, created by seven advisory services at the University of Münster, clearly shows how to find solutions to various problems with their help.