Research Integrity Skills Assessment

As a researcher, one has the privilege to work freely, adding content and context to the knowledge base of the scientific community - and the society in general. This freedom comes with responsibility: The responsibility for self-control, accuracy, honesty, efficiency and objectivity. The scientific community has introduced rules of research integrity, which aim to preserve the freedom of research while at the same time prevent scientific misconduct. These rules should be understood as guidelines rather than actual statutory standards.The guidelines reflect the diversity of research and may vary considerably depending on the discipline and focus of the research performing organisation (RPO). Particularly in view of the increasing emphasis on interdisciplinary and international cooperation, the multitude of different guidelines and resources can seem confusing for both researchers and RPOs.This living document - the Research Integrity Skills (RISk) Assessment - is intended to provide researchers and RPOs alike with an overview of the most common guidelines and resources for Research Integrity. This makes it possible to evaluate the extent to which the respective RPO has implemented the most common guidelines and whether it provides the necessary infrastructure in terms of research integrity. Researchers themselves, but also newly appointed Research Integrity Officers and Ombudspersons can assess their knowledge of good research practice and gain some orientation. At the same time, the RISk Assessment is also intended to serve as a platform for making the important resources developed on research integrity findable and accessible at all times.