Research Integrity

The University is committed to ensuring that all research carried out under its auspices meets the highest standards of integrity and that an environment of research integrity prevails through the promotion of good research practices, together with the use of fair, effective, and transparent procedures to address research misconduct. Research integrity relates to the performance of research to the highest standards of professionalism and rigour, and to the accuracy and integrity of the research record in publications and elsewhere. University policies and procedures in the area of Research Integrity can be accessed here, while further international and national guidance is available below:

Research Integrity Training

UL offers online training in Research Integrity through the Epigeum training portal. See below details on how to access the programme, along with some guidelines around usage, content, and data protection.

Accessing the training

To access the training, visit https://impact.epigeum.com/, create an account if it is your first time using Epigeum.com, and use the following “token” for registration: b5741c93

You should use your UL.ie email address to register with Epigeum if this is your first time using the service. Please note that UL has a finite number of “licenses” to access these modules; as such, please do complete the training once you access it, including the taking of the final quiz. This ensures best use of our limited allocation.

The “Concise” version of the module is intended for supervisors, PIs, and other experienced researchers, and takes approximately 1 hour to complete. The other, introductory version of the course is intended for early-career researchers (such as PhD candidates, post-docs, etc.) and takes approximately 5-6 hours.

Please contact Dr Barry Shanahan, Research Governance Officer, at barry.shanahan@ul.ie if you have any queries.

1. You will notice some aspects of the training material tend to be specific to the UK context; however, the principles of Research Integrity espoused by the training are drawn from common European sources and international best practice, and as such are of real relevance to the Irish context.
2. There are optional components specific to particular disciplines included within the Concise version of the module, and you should engage with those components as appropriate to your particular field.
3. Throughout the training you will encounter optional survey activity, which is included so as to provide high-level data to the University on levels of institutional understanding of the tenets and principles of research integrity. Data gathered here will enable us to ensure that our policies and procedures in the area of Research Integrity remain robust and in step with best international practice. We would point out that data is only reverted to the University from the training provider once there are sufficient numbers of responders to ensure anonymity. Any data derived from these responses is anonymised and aggregated before being communicated to UL; however, we advise avoiding the disclosure of any identifying information in the “free text” boxes included throughout the training, as these will not be amended before communication to the University.

Contact Us 

If we can provide any further information or clarity on the topic of Research Integrity and its implications for your research activity, please don’t hesitate to get in touch:

Each faculty has an identified Research Integrity Champion, with expertise and experience in the area. These individuals will be able to advise you on discipline-specific queries that might arise in the course of your research, and where necessary direct you to appropriate resources elsewhere.

• Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences: Prof. Neil Robinson
• Education & Health Sciences: Dr Ann MacPhail
• Kemmy Business School: Dr Deirdre O’Loughlin
• Science and Engineering: TBC

The University of Limerick is an associate member of the UK Research Integrity Office (UKRIO). UKRIO is an independent organisation who provide free and confidential advice and guidance to the public, researchers, organisations to further good practice in research. Find out more. 

 

Research Ethics

UL Research Ethics Governance & Faculty Research Ethics Committee. ULREG (University of Limerick Research Ethics Governance committee) is primarily concerned with research related policies, procedures and governance, whilst all research ethics applications are considered at Faculty level by Research Ethics Committees (RECs). All appeals of Faculty REC decisions are referred to ULREG. Find out more.