Good research practice

Scientific integrity forms the basis for trustworthy research. It is an example of academic voluntary commitment that encompasses a respectful attitude towards peers, research participants, animals, cultural assets, and the environment, and strengthens and promotes vital public trust in research. [...] The research community itself ensures good practice through fair and honest attitudes and conduct as well as organisational and procedural regulations.

Guidelines for Safeguarding Good Research Practice – DFG Code of Conduct, September 2019

Principles of good research practice

Adherence to the principles of good research practice is essential for good science. The University of Passau supports you, the established and early career researchers, in adhering to the following principles:

Good research practice

means working at the state of the art and always using the latest research findings.
requires the critical examination of both one's own scientific findings and those of other scientists and scholars, and the verification of these findings.
is characterised by strict honesty with regard to the contributions of partners, competitors and predecessors.
includes careful quality assurance, the documentation of all steps relevant to the research process and the preparation and maintenance of empirical research data. This ensures the comprehensibility and reproducibility of research results;
ensures the preservation of intellectual authorship in publishing by means of the correct use of citations.
allows and encourages critical discourse in the scientific community.

Ascertainment of good research practice

The University of Passau has adopted rules for the ascertainment of good research practice and for the investigation of alleged academic misconduct [German], which are binding for all members of the University. This policy document was elaborated by representatives of the University Executive, faculties, central services and facilites, and the academic support divisions.

In case of conflict between doctoral students and supervisors, or if there are suspicions of academic misconduct, the ombudsperson can be contacted directly.

Training courses

The Graduate Centre offers non-subject-specific training courses to support prospective and current doctoral students and postdoctoral researchers in the successful completion of their research projects and their personal development, and promotes their professional success within or outside the academic field. Current seminar topics within the framework of good scientific practice can be found in particular in the digital education portal for the doctoral and postdoctoral phase (English an German).