79C3C34C52B45572883A05D425EB0F82
Code of Ethics for Scientific Research in Belgium
https://www.kuleuven.be/english/research/integrity/practices/belspo-code
http://leaux.net/URLS/ConvertAPI Text Files/4C37133C5358854B52D63936A5A30A4C.en.txt
Examining the file media/Synopses/4C37133C5358854B52D63936A5A30A4C.html:
This file was generated: 2020-12-01 05:41:01
| Indicators in focus are typically shown highlighted in yellow; |
Peer Indicators (that share the same Vulnerability association) are shown highlighted in pink; |
"Outside" Indicators (those that do NOT share the same Vulnerability association) are shown highlighted in green; |
Trigger Words/Phrases are shown highlighted in gray. |
Link to Orphaned Trigger Words (Appendix (Indicator List, Indicator Peers, Trigger Words, Type/Vulnerability/Indicator Overlay)
Applicable Type / Vulnerability / Indicator Overlay for this Input
Political / political affiliation
Searching for indicator party:
(return to top)
p.(None): to the three R’s (reduction, replacement, refinement).
p.(None): 4. As regards experiments with a potential impact on the envi- ronment, the investigator must take into account the
p.(None): principle of precaution.
p.(None):
p.(None): 5. In the case of projects abroad, the researchers must apply the present code while also taking into
p.(None): account any existing codes and rules in force in the countries concerned. Within this context, respect for local
p.(None): culture and environment is of utmost importance. This concern will be even greater in cases where local rules and codes
p.(None): of ethics are absent or are not applied.
p.(None):
p.(None): 6. Responsibility must be taken for any errors or omissions made, as well as any resulting damage to
p.(None): third parties, and maximal compensation should be pursued.
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None): CODE D’ÉTHIQUE DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE EN BELGIQUE 6
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None): Reliability and verifiability
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None): A. RELIABILITY
p.(None): Researchers are deemed to be reliable when they act in such a way that third parties can trust them
p.(None): to proceed in a profes- sional manner, both in their scientific work and in their manner of reporting on it.
p.(None):
p.(None): 1. Researchers will endeavour to present their expertise, work and results as accurately as possible and will,
p.(None): in all cases, avoid creating a misleading or overrated idea of their work among their sponsors and
p.(None): colleagues, the press or any other third party.
p.(None):
p.(None): 2. Data arising from observations, experiments or existing literature should not be invented nor
p.(None): falsified. Researchers should not give the impression that empirical data is avail- able if this is not the
p.(None): case. Sampling, analysis techniques and statistical methods should not be chosen or manipulated with a view to
p.(None): obtaining or justifying a result defined in advance.
p.(None):
p.(None): 3. The research results must appear in full in publications, and unwanted results must not be selectively
p.(None): omitted. Results which do not correspond to the stipulated hypotheses must always be mentioned in the
p.(None): publication of the research results.
p.(None): The level of uncertainty and the limits of the results must ap- pear clearly in the publications, presentations and
p.(None): reports.
p.(None):
p.(None): 4. In their reports and communications, researchers must es- tablish a clear distinction between the research results
p.(None): and the conclusions on the one hand, and hypotheses and specula- tions on the other.
p.(None):
p.(None): 5. The general principles in terms of intellectual property must be respected. Researchers may not present fieldwork,
p.(None): data and results obtained by other researchers as their own; they must not plagiarise other people’s publications.
p.(None): People who have collaborated on a research project must be correctly cited; only those who have actually
p.(None): contributed to the research may be mentioned as (co-)authors.
p.(None):
p.(None): 6. Colleagues’ and researchers’ beliefs must be respected; their ideas must not be wrongfully appropriated. This is
...
Political / vulnerable
Searching for indicator vulnerable:
(return to top)
p.(None): respected.
p.(None):
p.(None): 5. In media communications or presentations, the researcher must present his/her research results in a truthful and
p.(None): comprehensible way. He/she must avoid arousing unjustified fears or hopes.
p.(None):
p.(None): 6. A researcher assumes his/her responsibilities as regards the development of his/her discipline and, consequently,
p.(None): commits oneself to participate in peer review.
p.(None):
p.(None): B. CAUTION
p.(None): A researcher’s behaviour is deemed to be cautious when he/she acts with foresight and precaution and is guided
p.(None): by the concern to avoid harm to anyone else.
p.(None):
p.(None): 1. Although the researcher’s primary concern is to acquire or increase his/her knowledge, caution requires him/her
p.(None): not to impose unnecessary or disproportionate risks.
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None): CODE D’ÉTHIQUE DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE EN BELGIQUE 5
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None): A careful analysis of the advantages but also of the short- and mid-term risks of a research project must be done and,
p.(None): in case of a risk for third parties, must be submitted to a peer review (or, if necessary, the ethics committee if it
p.(None): exists).
p.(None):
p.(None): 2. The researcher must show respect for the subjects/respond- ents of experiments, investigations and surveys, all the
p.(None): more so if the subjects are in a vulnerable position. The subjects of ex- periments and respondents must give their
p.(None): informed consent: they have the right to know they are the subject of research, they must be given the most
p.(None): complete information possible and give their prior consent with full knowledge of the facts. Any deviation from
p.(None): this principle must be submitted for ap- proval of the persons or the institutions qualified to provide an
p.(None): opinion on both the scientific aspects and the ethical aspects of the matter (ethics committee, programme monitoring
p.(None): com- mittee, academic authorities, etc.).
p.(None):
p.(None): 3. Animals used in experiments must be treated with care by minimizing the number used and their suffering, according
p.(None): to the three R’s (reduction, replacement, refinement).
p.(None): 4. As regards experiments with a potential impact on the envi- ronment, the investigator must take into account the
p.(None): principle of precaution.
p.(None):
p.(None): 5. In the case of projects abroad, the researchers must apply the present code while also taking into
p.(None): account any existing codes and rules in force in the countries concerned. Within this context, respect for local
p.(None): culture and environment is of utmost importance. This concern will be even greater in cases where local rules and codes
p.(None): of ethics are absent or are not applied.
p.(None):
p.(None): 6. Responsibility must be taken for any errors or omissions made, as well as any resulting damage to
p.(None): third parties, and maximal compensation should be pursued.
p.(None):
p.(None):
...
Social / Property Ownership
Searching for indicator property:
(return to top)
p.(None): to proceed in a profes- sional manner, both in their scientific work and in their manner of reporting on it.
p.(None):
p.(None): 1. Researchers will endeavour to present their expertise, work and results as accurately as possible and will,
p.(None): in all cases, avoid creating a misleading or overrated idea of their work among their sponsors and
p.(None): colleagues, the press or any other third party.
p.(None):
p.(None): 2. Data arising from observations, experiments or existing literature should not be invented nor
p.(None): falsified. Researchers should not give the impression that empirical data is avail- able if this is not the
p.(None): case. Sampling, analysis techniques and statistical methods should not be chosen or manipulated with a view to
p.(None): obtaining or justifying a result defined in advance.
p.(None):
p.(None): 3. The research results must appear in full in publications, and unwanted results must not be selectively
p.(None): omitted. Results which do not correspond to the stipulated hypotheses must always be mentioned in the
p.(None): publication of the research results.
p.(None): The level of uncertainty and the limits of the results must ap- pear clearly in the publications, presentations and
p.(None): reports.
p.(None):
p.(None): 4. In their reports and communications, researchers must es- tablish a clear distinction between the research results
p.(None): and the conclusions on the one hand, and hypotheses and specula- tions on the other.
p.(None):
p.(None): 5. The general principles in terms of intellectual property must be respected. Researchers may not present fieldwork,
p.(None): data and results obtained by other researchers as their own; they must not plagiarise other people’s publications.
p.(None): People who have collaborated on a research project must be correctly cited; only those who have actually
p.(None): contributed to the research may be mentioned as (co-)authors.
p.(None):
p.(None): 6. Colleagues’ and researchers’ beliefs must be respected; their ideas must not be wrongfully appropriated. This is
p.(None): especially valid in the case of new themes in research, theories or tech- nologies that are still in the development
p.(None): stage.
p.(None):
p.(None): 7. Researchers must not simultaneously publish the same test in several international scientific journals with peer
p.(None): reviewed. Neither should they submit the same text at the same time to several journals for evaluation.
p.(None): CODE D’ÉTHIQUE DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE EN BELGIQUE 7
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None): B. VERIFIABILITY
p.(None): Researchers’ work is deemed to be verifiable when it allows col- leagues to follow the progress of the research and to
p.(None): reproduce it, if need be.
p.(None):
p.(None): 1. The information given should be verifiable. The results of the literature study, the hypotheses, the
p.(None): organisation of the research, the research and analysis methods, as well as the sources, are described in
p.(None): detail (in a research logbook, a lab- oratory diary or a progress report) so that other researchers can verify
p.(None): the accuracy of the process and reproduce it. If the subject of the observation is destroyed (for instance,
...
Social / Religion
Searching for indicator faith:
(return to top)
p.(None): view.
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None): CODE D’ÉTHIQUE DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE EN BELGIQUE 3
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None): The code aims to encourage researchers to think in a respon- sible way about the conditions and consequences of the
p.(None): social integration of their research activities as well as the close as- sociation between sciences, technologies,
p.(None): economics and ethics.
p.(None):
p.(None): The aim is that this code should be respected unreservedly in all forms of fundamental, policy-driven and applied
p.(None): research financed by the government, but furthermore that all other forms of research (contractual research,
p.(None): research in the private sector, etc.) should apply it in the best way possible.
p.(None):
p.(None): A limited deviation in relation to the principles of this code must not necessarily be seen as a
p.(None): breach. Cases may occur where one or other of its aspects cannot be applied. In such a case, the
p.(None): researcher is recommended to explicitly state this fact.
p.(None):
p.(None): Mistakes may occur without the author having made any mor- al error. In this case, colleagues or research
p.(None): institutes must react in the appropriate manner, while respecting the princi-
p.(None): ple of innocence until proved guilty. Knowingly and wrongly accusing someone of unethical behaviour is, in
p.(None): itself, a form of unethical behaviour. Then again, whistle blowers (anyone who has issued criticisms and
p.(None): sounded the alarm in good faith) must be protected.
p.(None):
p.(None): Proper supervision of less-experienced researchers is necessary, without harming their freedom of research. Young
p.(None): researchers must be familiarised with the ethics of research right from the beginning. It is important that
p.(None): the teaching and support of young researchers explicitly focuses on the ethical aspects of scientific practice.
p.(None): Ethics committees, but also scientific academies, higher education institutions, foundations and associations
p.(None): have a responsibility in this respect.
p.(None):
p.(None): Neither the pressure to transpose the research results as quickly as possible to exploitable applications, nor the
p.(None): concern to pro- tect the results justifies constraints to ethical behaviour when carrying out research. The same
p.(None): applies to a researcher’s desire for recognition.
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None): CODE D’ÉTHIQUE DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE EN BELGIQUE 4
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None): Rigour and caution
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None): A. RIGOUR
p.(None): A researcher’s work is deemed to be rigorous when he/she ap- plies the generally acknowledged rules of his/her
p.(None): discipline with precision.
p.(None):
p.(None): 1 The researcher acts in a precise and nuanced manner when carrying out research and publishing its results. The
p.(None): obligation to obtain results should not interfere with this principle.
p.(None):
p.(None): 2 Researchers must conceive and undertake their protocols as precisely as possible. In their research work, researchers
...
Searching for indicator conviction:
(return to top)
p.(None): • Professor Niceas Schamp, Permanent Secretary of the Koninklijke Vlaamse Academie van België voor Wetenschappen en
p.(None): Kunsten;
p.(None): • Dr. Bogdan Van doninck, Director-General Coordination et Information, Federal Public Planning Service Science
p.(None): Policy;
p.(None): • Professor Paul Van Houtte, member of the Koninklijke Vlaamse Academie van België voor Wetenschappen en Kunsten.
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None): Introduction
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None): This “Code of Ethics for Scientific Research in Belgium” establishes the major principles of ethically
p.(None): justified scientific practice. Despite the great diversity of subjects and methods of scientific research, there are
p.(None): general principles and stand- ards of behaviour to which researchers are obliged to conform. The code of ethics
p.(None): presented hereafter stipulates that research- ers must carry out their research in a rigorous manner and that
p.(None): they must faithfully publish the relevant information by describing the methods and the results in such a way that they
p.(None): can be verified. A code of ethics does not only contribute to the quality of the scientific research, but also to its
p.(None): legitimation: it demonstrates to citizens, who finance the majority of research and reap the benefits, that the world
p.(None): of research is developing its own tools to guarantee responsible research.
p.(None):
p.(None): This code applies to all disciplines¬, thus endowing it with a greater reach and strength of conviction, and
p.(None): allowing it to reinforce the existing codes or the codes to be developed at a later date by individual or separate
p.(None): institutions or for specific disciplines. This code exists within a broader movement at an international level aiming
p.(None): to develop national codes.
p.(None): Publications by the OECD, the European Science Founda- tion, the European Commission, and the Dutch “Gedragscode
p.(None): Wetenschapsbeoefening”, were important sources of inspira- tion alongside other texts.
p.(None):
p.(None): This code does not explicitly refer to the laws and regulations in force (for instance, as regards privacy
p.(None): protection or the domain of biomedical research) that must, in any case, be re- spected.
p.(None):
p.(None): A code of ethics offers advantages in relation to legal or statu- tory standards. Indeed, it is impossible to elaborate
p.(None): precise rules covering all cases and circumstances. Furthermore, a code, which is based on the values shared by
p.(None): researchers, has a greater moral legitimacy than the rules imposed top down. At the same time, such an approach
p.(None): invites researchers to reflect both on an individual level and within the framework of their research institutes
p.(None): and their professional associations. Such a reflection must relate to the way in which they carry out their work, but
p.(None): also to the relations that are maintained within the broader so- cial context, even from an international point of
p.(None): view.
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None): CODE D’ÉTHIQUE DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE EN BELGIQUE 3
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
...
Social / education
Searching for indicator education:
(return to top)
p.(None):
p.(None): The aim is that this code should be respected unreservedly in all forms of fundamental, policy-driven and applied
p.(None): research financed by the government, but furthermore that all other forms of research (contractual research,
p.(None): research in the private sector, etc.) should apply it in the best way possible.
p.(None):
p.(None): A limited deviation in relation to the principles of this code must not necessarily be seen as a
p.(None): breach. Cases may occur where one or other of its aspects cannot be applied. In such a case, the
p.(None): researcher is recommended to explicitly state this fact.
p.(None):
p.(None): Mistakes may occur without the author having made any mor- al error. In this case, colleagues or research
p.(None): institutes must react in the appropriate manner, while respecting the princi-
p.(None): ple of innocence until proved guilty. Knowingly and wrongly accusing someone of unethical behaviour is, in
p.(None): itself, a form of unethical behaviour. Then again, whistle blowers (anyone who has issued criticisms and
p.(None): sounded the alarm in good faith) must be protected.
p.(None):
p.(None): Proper supervision of less-experienced researchers is necessary, without harming their freedom of research. Young
p.(None): researchers must be familiarised with the ethics of research right from the beginning. It is important that
p.(None): the teaching and support of young researchers explicitly focuses on the ethical aspects of scientific practice.
p.(None): Ethics committees, but also scientific academies, higher education institutions, foundations and associations
p.(None): have a responsibility in this respect.
p.(None):
p.(None): Neither the pressure to transpose the research results as quickly as possible to exploitable applications, nor the
p.(None): concern to pro- tect the results justifies constraints to ethical behaviour when carrying out research. The same
p.(None): applies to a researcher’s desire for recognition.
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None): CODE D’ÉTHIQUE DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE EN BELGIQUE 4
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None): Rigour and caution
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None): A. RIGOUR
p.(None): A researcher’s work is deemed to be rigorous when he/she ap- plies the generally acknowledged rules of his/her
p.(None): discipline with precision.
p.(None):
p.(None): 1 The researcher acts in a precise and nuanced manner when carrying out research and publishing its results. The
p.(None): obligation to obtain results should not interfere with this principle.
p.(None):
p.(None): 2 Researchers must conceive and undertake their protocols as precisely as possible. In their research work, researchers
p.(None): must take into account the latest state of the art in their domain. They must obtain the necessary skills
p.(None): beforehand in terms of knowledge and mastery of the techniques, while developing a critical mind. Assignments
p.(None): for which they are not qualified or that can be reasonably considered as impossible to execute must be refused.
p.(None):
p.(None): 3. The researcher must check whether the tools he/she intends to use (for instance, laboratory equipment, measuring
...
Social / philosophical differences/differences of opinion
Searching for indicator opinion:
(return to top)
p.(None): by the concern to avoid harm to anyone else.
p.(None):
p.(None): 1. Although the researcher’s primary concern is to acquire or increase his/her knowledge, caution requires him/her
p.(None): not to impose unnecessary or disproportionate risks.
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None): CODE D’ÉTHIQUE DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE EN BELGIQUE 5
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None): A careful analysis of the advantages but also of the short- and mid-term risks of a research project must be done and,
p.(None): in case of a risk for third parties, must be submitted to a peer review (or, if necessary, the ethics committee if it
p.(None): exists).
p.(None):
p.(None): 2. The researcher must show respect for the subjects/respond- ents of experiments, investigations and surveys, all the
p.(None): more so if the subjects are in a vulnerable position. The subjects of ex- periments and respondents must give their
p.(None): informed consent: they have the right to know they are the subject of research, they must be given the most
p.(None): complete information possible and give their prior consent with full knowledge of the facts. Any deviation from
p.(None): this principle must be submitted for ap- proval of the persons or the institutions qualified to provide an
p.(None): opinion on both the scientific aspects and the ethical aspects of the matter (ethics committee, programme monitoring
p.(None): com- mittee, academic authorities, etc.).
p.(None):
p.(None): 3. Animals used in experiments must be treated with care by minimizing the number used and their suffering, according
p.(None): to the three R’s (reduction, replacement, refinement).
p.(None): 4. As regards experiments with a potential impact on the envi- ronment, the investigator must take into account the
p.(None): principle of precaution.
p.(None):
p.(None): 5. In the case of projects abroad, the researchers must apply the present code while also taking into
p.(None): account any existing codes and rules in force in the countries concerned. Within this context, respect for local
p.(None): culture and environment is of utmost importance. This concern will be even greater in cases where local rules and codes
p.(None): of ethics are absent or are not applied.
p.(None):
p.(None): 6. Responsibility must be taken for any errors or omissions made, as well as any resulting damage to
p.(None): third parties, and maximal compensation should be pursued.
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None): CODE D’ÉTHIQUE DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE EN BELGIQUE 6
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None): Reliability and verifiability
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None): A. RELIABILITY
p.(None): Researchers are deemed to be reliable when they act in such a way that third parties can trust them
p.(None): to proceed in a profes- sional manner, both in their scientific work and in their manner of reporting on it.
p.(None):
...
General/Other / Manipulable
Searching for indicator manipulated:
(return to top)
p.(None): account any existing codes and rules in force in the countries concerned. Within this context, respect for local
p.(None): culture and environment is of utmost importance. This concern will be even greater in cases where local rules and codes
p.(None): of ethics are absent or are not applied.
p.(None):
p.(None): 6. Responsibility must be taken for any errors or omissions made, as well as any resulting damage to
p.(None): third parties, and maximal compensation should be pursued.
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None): CODE D’ÉTHIQUE DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE EN BELGIQUE 6
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None): Reliability and verifiability
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None): A. RELIABILITY
p.(None): Researchers are deemed to be reliable when they act in such a way that third parties can trust them
p.(None): to proceed in a profes- sional manner, both in their scientific work and in their manner of reporting on it.
p.(None):
p.(None): 1. Researchers will endeavour to present their expertise, work and results as accurately as possible and will,
p.(None): in all cases, avoid creating a misleading or overrated idea of their work among their sponsors and
p.(None): colleagues, the press or any other third party.
p.(None):
p.(None): 2. Data arising from observations, experiments or existing literature should not be invented nor
p.(None): falsified. Researchers should not give the impression that empirical data is avail- able if this is not the
p.(None): case. Sampling, analysis techniques and statistical methods should not be chosen or manipulated with a view to
p.(None): obtaining or justifying a result defined in advance.
p.(None):
p.(None): 3. The research results must appear in full in publications, and unwanted results must not be selectively
p.(None): omitted. Results which do not correspond to the stipulated hypotheses must always be mentioned in the
p.(None): publication of the research results.
p.(None): The level of uncertainty and the limits of the results must ap- pear clearly in the publications, presentations and
p.(None): reports.
p.(None):
p.(None): 4. In their reports and communications, researchers must es- tablish a clear distinction between the research results
p.(None): and the conclusions on the one hand, and hypotheses and specula- tions on the other.
p.(None):
p.(None): 5. The general principles in terms of intellectual property must be respected. Researchers may not present fieldwork,
p.(None): data and results obtained by other researchers as their own; they must not plagiarise other people’s publications.
p.(None): People who have collaborated on a research project must be correctly cited; only those who have actually
p.(None): contributed to the research may be mentioned as (co-)authors.
p.(None):
p.(None): 6. Colleagues’ and researchers’ beliefs must be respected; their ideas must not be wrongfully appropriated. This is
p.(None): especially valid in the case of new themes in research, theories or tech- nologies that are still in the development
p.(None): stage.
p.(None):
p.(None): 7. Researchers must not simultaneously publish the same test in several international scientific journals with peer
p.(None): reviewed. Neither should they submit the same text at the same time to several journals for evaluation.
p.(None): CODE D’ÉTHIQUE DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE EN BELGIQUE 7
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
...
Orphaned Trigger Words
p.(None): presented hereafter stipulates that research- ers must carry out their research in a rigorous manner and that
p.(None): they must faithfully publish the relevant information by describing the methods and the results in such a way that they
p.(None): can be verified. A code of ethics does not only contribute to the quality of the scientific research, but also to its
p.(None): legitimation: it demonstrates to citizens, who finance the majority of research and reap the benefits, that the world
p.(None): of research is developing its own tools to guarantee responsible research.
p.(None):
p.(None): This code applies to all disciplines¬, thus endowing it with a greater reach and strength of conviction, and
p.(None): allowing it to reinforce the existing codes or the codes to be developed at a later date by individual or separate
p.(None): institutions or for specific disciplines. This code exists within a broader movement at an international level aiming
p.(None): to develop national codes.
p.(None): Publications by the OECD, the European Science Founda- tion, the European Commission, and the Dutch “Gedragscode
p.(None): Wetenschapsbeoefening”, were important sources of inspira- tion alongside other texts.
p.(None):
p.(None): This code does not explicitly refer to the laws and regulations in force (for instance, as regards privacy
p.(None): protection or the domain of biomedical research) that must, in any case, be re- spected.
p.(None):
p.(None): A code of ethics offers advantages in relation to legal or statu- tory standards. Indeed, it is impossible to elaborate
p.(None): precise rules covering all cases and circumstances. Furthermore, a code, which is based on the values shared by
p.(None): researchers, has a greater moral legitimacy than the rules imposed top down. At the same time, such an approach
p.(None): invites researchers to reflect both on an individual level and within the framework of their research institutes
p.(None): and their professional associations. Such a reflection must relate to the way in which they carry out their work, but
p.(None): also to the relations that are maintained within the broader so- cial context, even from an international point of
p.(None): view.
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None): CODE D’ÉTHIQUE DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE EN BELGIQUE 3
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None): The code aims to encourage researchers to think in a respon- sible way about the conditions and consequences of the
p.(None): social integration of their research activities as well as the close as- sociation between sciences, technologies,
p.(None): economics and ethics.
p.(None):
p.(None): The aim is that this code should be respected unreservedly in all forms of fundamental, policy-driven and applied
p.(None): research financed by the government, but furthermore that all other forms of research (contractual research,
p.(None): research in the private sector, etc.) should apply it in the best way possible.
p.(None):
p.(None): A limited deviation in relation to the principles of this code must not necessarily be seen as a
p.(None): breach. Cases may occur where one or other of its aspects cannot be applied. In such a case, the
p.(None): researcher is recommended to explicitly state this fact.
p.(None):
p.(None): Mistakes may occur without the author having made any mor- al error. In this case, colleagues or research
p.(None): institutes must react in the appropriate manner, while respecting the princi-
p.(None): ple of innocence until proved guilty. Knowingly and wrongly accusing someone of unethical behaviour is, in
p.(None): itself, a form of unethical behaviour. Then again, whistle blowers (anyone who has issued criticisms and
p.(None): sounded the alarm in good faith) must be protected.
p.(None):
p.(None): Proper supervision of less-experienced researchers is necessary, without harming their freedom of research. Young
p.(None): researchers must be familiarised with the ethics of research right from the beginning. It is important that
p.(None): the teaching and support of young researchers explicitly focuses on the ethical aspects of scientific practice.
p.(None): Ethics committees, but also scientific academies, higher education institutions, foundations and associations
p.(None): have a responsibility in this respect.
p.(None):
p.(None): Neither the pressure to transpose the research results as quickly as possible to exploitable applications, nor the
p.(None): concern to pro- tect the results justifies constraints to ethical behaviour when carrying out research. The same
p.(None): applies to a researcher’s desire for recognition.
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None): CODE D’ÉTHIQUE DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE EN BELGIQUE 4
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None): Rigour and caution
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None): A. RIGOUR
p.(None): A researcher’s work is deemed to be rigorous when he/she ap- plies the generally acknowledged rules of his/her
p.(None): discipline with precision.
p.(None):
p.(None): 1 The researcher acts in a precise and nuanced manner when carrying out research and publishing its results. The
p.(None): obligation to obtain results should not interfere with this principle.
p.(None):
p.(None): 2 Researchers must conceive and undertake their protocols as precisely as possible. In their research work, researchers
p.(None): must take into account the latest state of the art in their domain. They must obtain the necessary skills
p.(None): beforehand in terms of knowledge and mastery of the techniques, while developing a critical mind. Assignments
p.(None): for which they are not qualified or that can be reasonably considered as impossible to execute must be refused.
p.(None):
p.(None): 3. The researcher must check whether the tools he/she intends to use (for instance, laboratory equipment, measuring
p.(None): material, standard questionnaires) are adapted to the work to be under- taken and ready to be used in optimum technical
p.(None): conditions.
p.(None): 4. The person in charge of the research must exercise sufficient control over the implementation of the research
p.(None): by his/her team members. The responsibilities pertaining to this research must be clearly defined and always
p.(None): respected.
p.(None):
p.(None): 5. In media communications or presentations, the researcher must present his/her research results in a truthful and
p.(None): comprehensible way. He/she must avoid arousing unjustified fears or hopes.
p.(None):
p.(None): 6. A researcher assumes his/her responsibilities as regards the development of his/her discipline and, consequently,
p.(None): commits oneself to participate in peer review.
p.(None):
p.(None): B. CAUTION
p.(None): A researcher’s behaviour is deemed to be cautious when he/she acts with foresight and precaution and is guided
p.(None): by the concern to avoid harm to anyone else.
p.(None):
p.(None): 1. Although the researcher’s primary concern is to acquire or increase his/her knowledge, caution requires him/her
p.(None): not to impose unnecessary or disproportionate risks.
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None): CODE D’ÉTHIQUE DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE EN BELGIQUE 5
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None): A careful analysis of the advantages but also of the short- and mid-term risks of a research project must be done and,
p.(None): in case of a risk for third parties, must be submitted to a peer review (or, if necessary, the ethics committee if it
p.(None): exists).
p.(None):
p.(None): 2. The researcher must show respect for the subjects/respond- ents of experiments, investigations and surveys, all the
p.(None): more so if the subjects are in a vulnerable position. The subjects of ex- periments and respondents must give their
p.(None): informed consent: they have the right to know they are the subject of research, they must be given the most
p.(None): complete information possible and give their prior consent with full knowledge of the facts. Any deviation from
p.(None): this principle must be submitted for ap- proval of the persons or the institutions qualified to provide an
p.(None): opinion on both the scientific aspects and the ethical aspects of the matter (ethics committee, programme monitoring
p.(None): com- mittee, academic authorities, etc.).
p.(None):
p.(None): 3. Animals used in experiments must be treated with care by minimizing the number used and their suffering, according
p.(None): to the three R’s (reduction, replacement, refinement).
p.(None): 4. As regards experiments with a potential impact on the envi- ronment, the investigator must take into account the
p.(None): principle of precaution.
p.(None):
p.(None): 5. In the case of projects abroad, the researchers must apply the present code while also taking into
p.(None): account any existing codes and rules in force in the countries concerned. Within this context, respect for local
p.(None): culture and environment is of utmost importance. This concern will be even greater in cases where local rules and codes
p.(None): of ethics are absent or are not applied.
p.(None):
p.(None): 6. Responsibility must be taken for any errors or omissions made, as well as any resulting damage to
p.(None): third parties, and maximal compensation should be pursued.
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None): CODE D’ÉTHIQUE DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE EN BELGIQUE 6
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None): Reliability and verifiability
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None): A. RELIABILITY
p.(None): Researchers are deemed to be reliable when they act in such a way that third parties can trust them
p.(None): to proceed in a profes- sional manner, both in their scientific work and in their manner of reporting on it.
p.(None):
p.(None): 1. Researchers will endeavour to present their expertise, work and results as accurately as possible and will,
p.(None): in all cases, avoid creating a misleading or overrated idea of their work among their sponsors and
p.(None): colleagues, the press or any other third party.
p.(None):
p.(None): 2. Data arising from observations, experiments or existing literature should not be invented nor
p.(None): falsified. Researchers should not give the impression that empirical data is avail- able if this is not the
p.(None): case. Sampling, analysis techniques and statistical methods should not be chosen or manipulated with a view to
p.(None): obtaining or justifying a result defined in advance.
p.(None):
p.(None): 3. The research results must appear in full in publications, and unwanted results must not be selectively
p.(None): omitted. Results which do not correspond to the stipulated hypotheses must always be mentioned in the
p.(None): publication of the research results.
p.(None): The level of uncertainty and the limits of the results must ap- pear clearly in the publications, presentations and
p.(None): reports.
p.(None):
p.(None): 4. In their reports and communications, researchers must es- tablish a clear distinction between the research results
p.(None): and the conclusions on the one hand, and hypotheses and specula- tions on the other.
p.(None):
p.(None): 5. The general principles in terms of intellectual property must be respected. Researchers may not present fieldwork,
p.(None): data and results obtained by other researchers as their own; they must not plagiarise other people’s publications.
p.(None): People who have collaborated on a research project must be correctly cited; only those who have actually
p.(None): contributed to the research may be mentioned as (co-)authors.
p.(None):
p.(None): 6. Colleagues’ and researchers’ beliefs must be respected; their ideas must not be wrongfully appropriated. This is
p.(None): especially valid in the case of new themes in research, theories or tech- nologies that are still in the development
p.(None): stage.
p.(None):
p.(None): 7. Researchers must not simultaneously publish the same test in several international scientific journals with peer
p.(None): reviewed. Neither should they submit the same text at the same time to several journals for evaluation.
p.(None): CODE D’ÉTHIQUE DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE EN BELGIQUE 7
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None): B. VERIFIABILITY
p.(None): Researchers’ work is deemed to be verifiable when it allows col- leagues to follow the progress of the research and to
p.(None): reproduce it, if need be.
p.(None):
p.(None): 1. The information given should be verifiable. The results of the literature study, the hypotheses, the
p.(None): organisation of the research, the research and analysis methods, as well as the sources, are described in
p.(None): detail (in a research logbook, a lab- oratory diary or a progress report) so that other researchers can verify
p.(None): the accuracy of the process and reproduce it. If the subject of the observation is destroyed (for instance,
p.(None): during excavations), these observations must be recorded as well as possible. All the agreements and
p.(None): decisions must be written down and saved.
p.(None):
p.(None): 2. The publication of results is at the basis of the evaluation by peers. The results from a research project should be
p.(None): published and/or made accessible to other researchers as soon as possi- ble. In some cases, agreements may be
p.(None): established concerning publication times.
p.(None): 3. The primary data of a research project and the protocols must be kept and made accessible during a
p.(None): determined and sufficient period of time. When publications, especially review and summary articles, do not contain
p.(None): all the necessary data for verification, the data should nevertheless be available.
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None): CODE D’ÉTHIQUE DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE EN BELGIQUE 8
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None): Independence and impartiality
p.(None):
p.(None):
p.(None): A. INDEPENDENCE
p.(None): In their scientific activities, researchers are guided by rules of a scientific nature, which are a condition of their
p.(None): independence.
p.(None):
p.(None): 1. Researchers must be able to carry out their research in com- plete freedom and independence since their creativity
p.(None): depends on it.
p.(None):
p.(None): 2. Commissioned scientific research is carried out without interventions from the sponsor during the
p.(None): execution of the scientific work entrusted to the researcher. The sponsor’s pol- icy (public or private) is
p.(None): expressed in the choice of research themes. The researcher does fail his/her independence by ac- cepting
p.(None): contracts or in responding to calls for proposals within this context, insofar as he/she retains his/her freedom
p.(None): in the execution of the research, as regards the organisation of the re- search, the hypotheses, the methods used and
p.(None): the formulation of conclusions. A scientific conclusion can only be formulated on the basis of scientific arguments.
...
Appendix
Indicator List
| Indicator | Vulnerability |
|---|
| conviction | Religion |
| education | education |
| faith | Religion |
| manipulated | Manipulable |
| opinion | philosophical differences/differences of opinion |
| party | political affiliation |
| property | Property Ownership |
| vulnerable | vulnerable |
Indicator Peers (Indicators in Same Vulnerability)
| Indicator | Peers |
|---|
| conviction | ['faith'] |
| faith | ['conviction'] |
Trigger Words
consent
developing
ethics
harm
protection
risk
Applicable Type / Vulnerability / Indicator Overlay for this Input