Research ethics and research integrity

Research ethics addresses questions of how research should be conducted in order to be ethically acceptable. Ethics is related both to values and to the responsible conduct of researchers and the scholarly community, as well as to concrete questions concerning the potential harmful impacts of research and their relationship to the expected benefits of the research.

Principles of research ethics

The principles guiding research ethics are described somewhat differently in various sources, but broadly they include perspectives related to the protection of research subjects and to taking into account the wider potential impacts of research.

In its guidelines, the Finnish National Board on Research Integrity (TENK) has outlined the general ethical principles, which can be presented as follows:

• The researcher respects the dignity and autonomy of human research participants. The rights and liberties laid down in the Finnish Constitution are held by everybody.
• The researcher respects material and immaterial cultural heritage and biodiversity.
• The researcher conducts their research so that the research does not cause significant risks, damage or harm to research participants, communities or other subjects of research.

In addition to these principles, it is essential that the expected benefits of the research are proportionate to the potential harms and risks. The distribution of benefits and harms must also be fair.

Research involving humans

In research that involves humans or includes human participants, the Tampere University is committed to complying with TENK’s Guidelines for the ethical review in human sciences.

Medical research involving humans is regulated in Finland by the Medical Research Act, together with supplementary regulations issued under it (for example, regulations concerning biobanks, tissues, and medical devices).

Ethical review of research

Ethical review of research examines compliance with ethical principles. In the review process, the researcher responsible for the study submits the research for ethical assessment by the relevant research ethics committee.

Ethical review is always carried out when the research constitutes medical research involving humans, human embryos, or foetuses, and involves intervention in physical integrity. Other research involving humans is subject to ethical review if it includes research design elements that require particular ethical consideration.

Ethics Committee of the Tampere Region

Ethical review of medical research (pirha.fi)

Guidelines for ethical review in human sciences (tenk.fi)

Regarding research on nature and the environment, TENK is preparing a recommendation on Ethical guidelines and ethical review for research on nature and the environment (LYTE).

Research involving animals is governed by legislation on the use of animals for scientific and educational purposes. All projects require authorisation from the Project Authorisation Board operating under the Finnish Food Authority.

The use of genetically modified organisms is subject to the Gene Technology Act, and the competent authority is the Board for Gene Technology (GTLK).

Rights of research participants

If you take part in scientific research, you always have the right to

• participate voluntarily, but also to refuse to participate
• suspend your participation temporarily at any time without negative consequences
• withdraw your consent to participate in the research permanently at any time
• receive information about the content of the research, the processing of personal data, and the practical conduct of the research
• receive a truthful account of the aims of the research and any potential harms and risks associated with participation
• be aware that you are being studied, particularly in situations where the researcher has a role in relation to you other than that of a researcher

When you participate in research conducted at Tampere University, this information will be provided to you in an understandable form. You will usually also have received this information in writing, in the form of an information sheet. The information sheet for research participants includes the contact details of the person responsible for the research, whom you can contact if you wish to receive further information. Research projects often also have websites where you can find contact details and information about the research.

If you have questions concerning the processing of your personal data, any requests relating to your data should be addressed to the data controller of the research project: either Tampere University’s Data Protection Officer (dpo [at] tuni.fi (dpo[at]tuni[dot]fi)) or the researcher responsible for the study. Information on the data controller is provided in the privacy notice, which has been given to you during the research or otherwise made available to you.

Like other Finnish universities, Tampere University is committed to complying with the guidelines on research integrity and the handling of alleged violations of the Finnish National Board on Research Integrity (TENK).

Research integrity includes

• Honesty, care, and accuracy at all stages of research, including planning, implementation, reporting, and evaluation.
• Ethically sustainable and scientifically justified methods for data acquisition, research, and assessment.
• Openness and responsible science communication, including the appropriate publication of research results and well‑founded interpretation of findings.
• Proper acknowledgement of the work and contributions of other researchers, particularly through appropriate citation and use of previous research.
• Planning, conduct, and documentation of research in a manner that meets the requirements set for scientific knowledge and enables evaluation of the research.
• Careful management of research data throughout the entire lifecycle, including collection, storage, documentation, use, and, where appropriate, data sharing.
• Ensuring data protection and information security as part of responsible research practice.
• Obtaining the necessary research permits and, where required, requesting an ethical review statement before commencing the research.
• Agreeing in advance, in a manner accepted by all parties, on matters relating to the rights, authorship, responsibilities, and obligations of members of a research project or group, as well as the use of research data and access rights.
• Disclosure of conflicts of interest and transparency, both to research participants and when publishing research results.
• Identifying conflicts of interest and refraining from evaluation or decision‑making where there is a justified reason to doubt one’s impartiality.
• Compliance with good personnel and financial management practices, as well as appropriate leadership and supervision.
• Commitment to the appropriate handling of violations of research integrity within the research community.

Handling alleged violations of research integrity at Tampere University

If you suspect a violation of research integrity at Tampere University:

• You may first contact a research integrity adviser for confidential advice or assistance in submitting an allegation.
• Submit the research integrity allegation using the form below and send it to the President of the University.
• If the suspected violation concerns basic degree studies or a related thesis, please contact the responsible teacher or the faculty’s Head of Study Services. Further information is available on the handling of violations of allegations of misconduct in studies.
• Please note that a false or malicious allegation of a violation of research integrity may in itself constitute a violation of research integrity.

Notification form for an alleged research integrity violation 2023 (tenk.fi)

The Finnish Code of Conduct for Research Integrity and Procedures for Handling Alleged Violations of   Research Integrity in Finland (RI Guidelines) (tenk.fi)