Explainer · Plain-language
What is research integrity?
Research integrity is the umbrella term for honest, rigorous, transparent, and accountable conduct in research — covering everything from fabrication / falsification / plagiarism (FFP) through data management, authorship, peer review, and conflict-of-interest disclosure.
The big three: FFP
Fabrication — making up data. Falsification — manipulating data. Plagiarism — using others' work without attribution. These three are the most-cited misconduct categories and are the basis for ORI / UKRIO / institutional misconduct investigations.
Beyond FFP
Modern integrity frameworks also include: honorary / ghost authorship, paper-mill output, duplicate / salami publication, peer-review manipulation (citation rings, fake reviewers), undisclosed conflicts of interest, image manipulation, AI-use without disclosure.
Frameworks
European Code of Conduct for Research Integrity (ALLEA, 2023 revision). US Office of Research Integrity (ORI). UK Research Integrity Office (UKRIO). Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) for publishers. WCRI (World Conferences on Research Integrity). NSPM-33 disclosure in the US.
CASRAI vocabulary
The /dictionary/domain/research-integrity domain in the CASRAI Dictionary defines vocabulary for retractions, corrections, expressions of concern, dual-use research of concern (DURC), data fabrication, and the various misconduct frameworks.
Key facts
At a glance
- Stewards (international): ALLEA (Europe), WCRI (global), CASRAI (vocabulary)
- Stewards (national): ORI (US), UKRIO (UK), CCA (Canada), JSPS (Japan), ARIIC (Australia)
- Publisher framework: COPE
- Conferences: World Conference on Research Integrity (WCRI), every 2 years
Common misconceptions
What people often get wrong
Often heard: Research integrity is the same as research ethics.
Actually: They overlap but differ. Ethics typically covers IRB / REC review (involving human / animal subjects). Integrity is broader — honesty, transparency, accountability across all research activities.
Often heard: Only the big three (FFP) count as misconduct.
Actually: Increasingly, ghost-writing, peer-review manipulation, image manipulation, and undisclosed AI use are also recognised misconduct.
Going deeper
