ForewordPreamble

Principles

Guideline 1: Commitment to the general principlesGuideline 2: Professional ethicsGuideline 3: Organisational responsibility of heads of research institutionsGuideline 4: Responsibility of the heads of research work unitsGuideline 5: Dimensions of performance and assessment criteriaGuideline 6: Ombudspersons

Research Process

Guideline 7: Cross-phase quality assuranceGuideline 8: Stakeholders, responsibilities and rolesGuideline 9: Research design

 

Guideline 10: Legal and ethical frameworks, usage rightsGuideline 11: Methods and standardsGuideline 12: DocumentationGuideline 13: Providing public access to research resultsGuideline 14: AuthorshipGuideline 15: Publication mediumGuideline 16: Confidentiality and neutrality of review processes and discussionsGuideline 17: Archiving

Non-Compliance with Good Research Practice, Procedures

Guideline 18: Complainants and respondentsGuideline 19: Procedures in cases of alleged research misconductImplementation of the Guidelines
ForewordPreamblePrinzipienGuideline 1: Commitment to the general principlesGuideline 2: Professional ethicsGuideline 3: Organisational responsibility of heads of research institutionsGuideline 4: Responsibility of the heads of research work unitsGuideline 5: Dimensions of performance and assessment criteriaGuideline 6: OmbudspersonsForschungsprozessGuideline 7: Cross-phase quality assuranceGuideline 8: Stakeholders, responsibilities and rolesGuideline 9: Research designGuideline 10: Legal and ethical frameworks, usage rightsGuideline 11: Methods and standardsGuideline 12: DocumentationGuideline 13: Providing public access to research resultsGuideline 14: AuthorshipGuideline 15: Publication mediumGuideline 16: Confidentiality and neutrality of review processes and discussionsGuideline 17: ArchivingNichtbeachtung guter wissenschaftlicher Praxis, VerfahrenGuideline 18: Complainants and respondentsGuideline 19: Procedures in cases of alleged research misconductImplementation of the Guidelines
Keyword Index
The Code of Conduct
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Guideline 6

Ombudspersons

HEIs and non-HEI research institutions appoint at least one independent ombudsperson to whom their members and employees can turn with questions relating to good research practice and in cases of suspected misconduct. They take sufficient care to ensure that people are aware of who the ombudspersons at the institution are. For each ombudsperson there must be a designated substitute in case there is any concern about conflicts of interest or in case the ombudsperson is unable to carry out his or her duties.

Explanations:

Ombudspersons may not serve as members of a central governing body of their institutions while serving in this role. An ombudsperson has a set term of office. A further term of office is permissible. Researchers who are persons of integrity and who have management experience are eligible to be selected as ombudspersons. As neutral and qualified contact persons, they advise on issues relating to good research practice and in suspected cases of scientific misconduct and, where possible, contribute to solution-oriented conflict mediation. Ombudspersons maintain confidentiality in dealing with queries and, if necessary, notify the responsible body at their institution, normally an investigating committee, in the event of suspected cases of misconduct. HEIs and non-HEI research institutions give ombudspersons the support and acceptance they need to carry out their duties. Institutions may initiate additional measures to help facilitate the work of an ombudsperson. HEIs and non-HEI research institutions incorporate in their regulations a right of choice that enables members and employees to contact their institution’s ombudsperson or the national German Research Ombudsman. The German Research Ombudsman is an independent body that provides advice and support on issues relating to good research practice and allegations of inappropriate conduct.

Comments - General (5)

Deputising for an ombudsperson in the event of bias / conflict of interest or absence

03.12.2020 – If an institution provides for only one ombudsperson, the deputy performs the ombudsperson’s duties to the full extent in the event of bias, a potential or actual conflict of interest or in cases of absence.

Comment on: GL6 (General)

Term of office of ombudspersons

03.12.2020 – When determining the duration of a term of office, it makes sense to draw on comparable regulations for other temporary offices at the institution.

Comment on: GL6 (General)

Requirements for the office of an ombudsperson

03.12.2020 – Researchers to be appointed to the office of ombudsperson should be trustworthy and act as a role model to others.

Comment on: GL6 (General)

Definition of “central governing bodies”

03.12.2020 – The term “central management bodies” refers to institution-wide or overarching management bodies such as the management of a higher education institution or non-HEI research institution, the dean or comparable bodies or persons.

Comment on: GL6 (General)

Institutional measures to facilitate the work of ombudspersons

03.12.2020 – Institutional measures to facilitate the work and activities of ombudspersons include: Providing ombudspersons support and flexibility in scheduling by establishing an administrative office for ombudsperson services Reducing the teaching hours of ...

Comment on: GL6 (General)

General (5)

Research areas

Life sciences (1)
faq (1)
Link list (1)
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