Science: Research

Norman Baker
To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many investigations into misconduct in science research by (a) universities and higher education establishments, (b) research councils and (c) other Government-funded research institutions have been carried out since 2001; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson
This information is not held centrally by the Department. All Research Councils are committed to promoting good research conduct, take seriously any allegations of research misconduct and are currently working to develop RCUK policy on good research conduct. Research organisations (as the employers of researchers), rather than Research Councils, would normally be responsible for investigating any alleged misconduct in research by their own employees. However, there have been 10 instances since 2001 in which Research Councils have investigated allegations of misconduct, whether in universities, other HEIs, Research Council Institutes or independent research organisations.