Codes of Conduct and Scientific Integrity

Trust in the integrity, honesty, and quality of research is a pillar of both the scientific community and society in general. Without a sense of what counts as an honest scientific endeavor, it would be impossible to build on other's work or apply research results with confidence. Codes of conduct and principles of good scientific practice are indispensable tools for securing trust in a researcher's work and reputation. They reflect the values that should underlie everyday scientific practice, and are guidelines on which both researchers and non-researchers alike can rely. As high-profile incidents of scientific misconduct make clear, however, researchers do not always abide by the rules. Various bodies and professional societies have published explilcit codes of conducts to discourage transgressions and ensure research quality.