Deviations from good research practice

Chapter 1 Section 3a of the Swedish Higher Education Act (SFS 1992:1434) states that, in the course of their operations, higher education institutions shall uphold academic credibility and good research practice. Any suspicion of deviation from good research practice must be reported in writing to the President of KTH without delay so that it can be investigated.

Addressing deviations from good research practice

The Act on responsibility for good research practice and the examination of research misconduct (2019:504) stipulates that matters related to research misconduct must be investigated by the National Board for Assessment of Research Misconduct (Npof). Section 2 of the Act defines deviation as “a serious deviation from good research practice in the form of fabrication, falsification or plagiarism that is committed intentionally or through gross negligence when planning, conducting or reporting research”.

Decisions taken by Npof may be sent to a general Administrative Court for appeal. Chapter 1, Section 17 of the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100) states that other suspected deviations from good research practice must be investigated by the university. Hence, it is the responsibility of the university to investigate all cases that are not investigated by Npof.

Reporting of case and investigation

If there is any suspicion that a deviation from good research practice has taken place, this must be reported in writing to the President without delay so that it can be investigated. An inquiry will be started by the Management Office in order to create the documentation necessary for the President to be able to decide whether further investigation is necessary. The President will make such a decision after a presentation of the case. The President may decide to hand the case over to KTH’s Committee for Investigating Suspected Deviations from Good Research Practice, or that no further action is required.

KTH’s Guidelines on the Management of Suspected Deviations from Good Research Practice stipulate how the Committee’s meetings are to be organised. If the KTH Committee has investigated a case, they must state their opinion. This opinion will include whether there has been a deviation and if so, if it is to be considered serious. The President will then issue a decision clarifying whether or not there has been a deviation and whether or not it is considered serious. The President’s decision is final.

KTH Guidelines on the Management of Suspected Deviations from Good Research Practice

National Board for Assessment of Research Misconduct

Contact: forvaltningsjuridik@kth.se

Committee for Investigating Suspected Deviations from Good Research Practice

Responsibilities and tasks

KTH’s Committee for Investigating Suspected Deviations from Good Research Practice investigates suspected cases of deviation from good research practice at the university that have been referred to the committee by the President. The Committee’s responsibilities and duties are outlined in the Guidelines on the Management of Suspected Deviations from Good Research Practice.

Composition and term of office

KTH’s Committee for Investigating Suspected Deviations from Good Research Practice consists of three members with scientific competence and one student representative. Two of its members are appointed for a term of four years and are also part of the Ethics Committee at KTH . The third member is appointed for each case. The Faculty Council appoints members following consultation with the President. The KTH Committee is assisted by an administrative lawyer with the right to attend the Committee’s meetings and offer opinions, and also by a secretary.

The contacts listed below are permanent members of the committee for the term of office that runs from 1 July 2020 to 31 December 2023.

Contact: prodekanus@kth.se

Chair

Employed as professor or associate professor

Student representative