All researchers are personally responsible for ensuring that their research conforms to good research practice and established ethical principles.

The head of the research/education group is responsible for ensuring that all staff with research and research-related duties receive information about the rules that apply regarding good research practice, and for continuously following up on the application of decisions and guidelines.

The head of department or equivalent is responsible for ensuring that heads of research groups, heads of education groups and chief supervisors of postgraduate students are continuously informed and involved in discussions about current decisions and guidelines concerning research ethics.

It is the responsibility of the head of department or equivalent to take active steps to prevent ethical challenges in research activities from developing into situations where misconduct and fraud may occur. If, nevertheless, such a situation should arise, it is the responsibility of the head of department or equivalent to inform the Dean about the case in question.

The Dean makes decisions on the handling and necessary measures to take in cases where situations arise concerning research fraud and misconduct in research.

Medical research is a prerequisite for well-functioning and evidence-based healthcare. In order to achieve this and for research to enjoy society's trust, it is important that the faculty's research lives up to the highest ethical standards.

As part of this process, the Faculty of Medicine has established a Research Ethics Council. The council's tasks include:

• supporting the faculty management in research ethics issues of a principled nature,
• stimulating ethical discussion and raising awareness of important issues, and
• providing general advice or guidance to employees regarding ethical aspects of their research.
• The council is also free to express its opinion on questions of research ethics of a general nature.
• Other issues may arise around which the council itself is tasked with establishing the form of its mandate.

Topics dealt with by the Research Ethics Council:

• clinical studies
• preclinical trials: protocol and the Committee on Animal Experiments
• experimental research in the laboratory
• data management
• information security
• authorship and publishing
• scientific error
• cooperation with industry 
• dual use
• international cooperation
• conflicts of interest 
• guidance

Topics not dealt with by the Research Ethics Council:

• registration and handling of ethical misconduct
• legal assistance
• help with conflict management
• help with writing