A new report, Fostering Integrity in Research , released by The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, contends that “all stakeholders in the scientific research enterprise […] should improve their practices and policies to respond to threats to the integrity of research.” Among the suggested practices are making research data available; strengthening whistleblower protections; releasing all research findings even if contrary to an initial hypothesis; and generally increasing transparency in order to improve reproducibility.

The report, authored by the Committee on Responsible Science of the National Academies’ Policy and Global Affairs Division, explains that research integrity needs to be safeguarded by both individual researchers and the larger ecosystems in which their work is conducted. In discussing scientific misconduct (using the 1992 definition as adopted by the Academy), the report explains that once “‘questionable’ research practices” should now be classed as “‘detrimental’ practices.” The report explains of such practices, that they:

“should be understood to include not only actions of individual researchers but also irresponsible or abusive actions by research institutions and journals. […] Research institutions, journals, scientific societies, and other parts of the research enterprise all can act in ways that either support or undermine integrity in research.”

In addition to the previously mentioned practices, the report also suggests the establishment of a central entity—a Research Integrity Advisory Board—in order to disperse information and best practices related to research integrity. Lastly, it also calls for further study on the conditions that lead to misconduct and detrimental practices in research. A press release on the report can be found here and the report can be accessed here​.