Good Research Practice

Guidelines for Safeguarding Good Research Practice

The aim of the Code is to enable the intended audience – researchers as well as heads of universities and non-university research institutions – to align their internal structures, processes and actions with the guidelines for good research practice. The intention is to create a deeply rooted culture of research integrity at higher education institutions, focusing less on breaches of good research practice and more on the professional ethics of researchers.

As of 1 August 2019, all universities and non-university research institutions will be required to implement the 19 guidelines in a legally binding manner to be eligible to receive DFG funding. For those universities and non-university research institutions that have already implemented the relevant requirements set out in the DFG white paper “Safeguarding Good Scientific Practice” in a binding manner, there is a four-year transition period for implementing the guidelines contained in the Code. This period ends on 31 July 2023.

Note:

The "Code of Conduct" can also be ordered from the DFG Press and Public Relations Office, Michael Hönscheid (0228 885-2109 or ).

Online portal “Research Integrity” now online

Logo: Portal "Research Integrity"

The “third level” of the Code of Conduct “Guidelines for Safeguarding Good Research Practice” went online in German on 10 December 2020 in the form of the portal “Research Integrity”. The English language version followed in July 2021.

In this online portal, users will find the now familiar 19 guidelines and explanations to go with them. New additions include commentaries relating to general matters and specific subject areas, case studies, a summary of frequently asked questions, references to legal frameworks and other standards, related DFG statements and references to external sources. Various search and access modes are available to users of the portal. An English version went online in July 2021.

The content of this dynamic online portal was developed in subject-specific workshops involving academics, representatives of higher education institutions and non-university institutions and the German Research Ombudsman. The DFG’s Head Office also contributed its expertise. In future, further contributions by Alliance member organisations and other actors within the academic community will be compiled, quality-assured and adapted on an ongoing basis to reflect changes in research practice.

Contact the Research Integrity Team

Correspondence and questions relating to the question of good research practice and implementation of the Code of Conduct “Guidelines for Safeguarding Good Research Practice” should be sent to the following mailbox .

If you suspect misconduct, please feel free to contact the Research Integrity Team: .

To report suspected research misconduct, you can also use the DFG Research Integrity Incident Reporting System.

Contact

Kerstin Gemünd
E-mail: kerstin.gemuend@dfg.de
Telephone: +49 (228) 885-3085
Dr. Kirsten Hüttemann
E-mail: Kirsten.Huettemann@dfg.de
Telephone: +49 (228) 885-2827
Miriam Kretzschmar
E-mail: miriam.kretzschmar@dfg.de
Telephone: +49 (228) 885-3201
Lydia Llaga
E-mail: lydia.llaga@dfg.de
Telephone: +49 (228) 885-3282
Christiane Müller
E-mail: christiane.mueller@dfg.de
Telephone: +49 (228) 885-3132
Dr. Philip Ridder
E-mail: philip.ridder@dfg.de
Telephone: +49 (228) 885-3179
Martin Steinberger
E-mail: Martin.Steinberger@dfg.de
Telephone: +49 (228) 885-3204
Marika Hudert
E-mail: marika.hudert@dfg.de
Telephone: +49 (228) 885-3351
Claudia Reitz
E-mail: claudia.reitz@dfg.de
Telephone: +49 (228) 885-3091