Research Governance
Research governance applies to all types of research and sets out principles, regulations and standards of good practice to ensure high-quality research. It involves enhancing ethical and scientific quality, promoting good practice, reducing adverse incidents, ensuring lessons are learnt and preventing poor performance and misconduct.
All health-related research involving human participants must adhere to the additional governance requirements of the University's Clinical School (website currently in development). Further information is also available on the University Research Governance page.
There are particular rules regarding International Health Research. Researchers are responsible for being aware of their responsibilities within an increasingly complex international and regulatory environment. There is a great deal of legislation linked to international research collaboration and it is important that both the University and individual researchers comply with the relevant legislation.
Governance of research involving animals has its own requirements. Further information can be found on the University Biomedical Services site.
Research Integrity
The IMS-MRL strongly believes that in order to ‘discover the truth’ and thereby to contribute to the improvement of human health, excellence in research is essential. The pursuit of excellent research and the fulfilment of our responsibilities to participants in research, research users and the wider community require the maintenance of the highest standards of integrity when planning, conducting, analysing and reporting studies.
The University of Cambridge, of which the IMS-MRL is a part, is committed to the highest standards of rigour and integrity in its research.
Research Misconduct is defined as behaviours or actions that fall short of the standards of ethics, research and scholarship required to ensure that the integrity of research is upheld. It can include acts of omission as well as acts of commission. Research Misconduct does not include any alleged failure to meet legal, ethical or professional obligations not directly related to the research process (such as financial fraud, copyright or IP infringement, or export control violations).
The IMS-MRL promotes an open culture which supports confidential discussion of any concerns about standards of conduct in Research at the earliest opportunity.
On 23 February 2024, the University approved a new, detailed Procedure for the Investigation of an Allegation of Research Misconduct, which applies where there is an allegation of Research Misconduct against any person undertaking research either as a member of or whilst connected to a University institution or using University facilities or funding. All matters and dealings relating to Research Misconduct in the IMS-MRL are conducted according to this Procedure.
The Research Misconduct in question could relate to, but is not limited to fabrication, falsification, plagiarism, failure to meet various obligations, misrepresentation of various sorts and improper dealings with allegations of misconduct as laid out in section 3 of the Procedure.
The IMS-MRL is committed to ensuring that allegations of Research Misconduct are investigated with all possible thoroughness, transparency and sensitivity and in a robust, fair, consistent and timely manner.
Should any individual or organisation have a Concern of any sort but be unsure whether there are grounds to make a formal Complaint, they are strongly encouraged to raise their Concern at the earliest opportunity informally with the Head of Department. For the avoidance of doubt, seeking informal advice is not a required stage of this process; a formal Complaint may be made without seeking informal advice. Informal and confidential advice may alternatively be sought from the University's Research Governance and Integrity Team.
Concerns may be raised formally by an individual or organisation by contacting the Head of Department in writing. Where a member of staff feels unable to raise Concerns through this procedure, for example where they have reason to believe that doing so may lead to their suffering detrimental treatment, they may alternatively make an initial allegation under the process set out in the University’s Whistleblowing Policy.
Other links on University of Cambridge policies and guidelines.
University of Cambridge Research Integrity Statement
