MEDIA RELEASE
22 NOVEMBER 2016
UNIFIED SET OF STANDARDS FOR RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS TO
ADVANCE RESEARCH ETHICS IN SINGAPORE
A*STAR, NTU, NUS, and SUTD to lead the drive for research publication
standards
SINGAPORE—To harmonise policies and further establish our commitment to
research integrity. A*STAR, NTU, NUS and SUTD have adopted a unified set of
standards for research publications.
At an inaugural joint conference on research integrity today, A*STAR, NUS, NTU
and SUTD have issued a joint statement that outlines the research publication
principles that their researchers must adhere to.
These principles will allow these institutions to maintain the highest standards of
research and publication ethics. For the full statement, refer to Annex A.
The statement has its roots in the Singapore Statement of Research Integrity
issued in 2010 1, which aimed to develop unified codes of conduct and policies
that would further greater research integrity worldwide.
Mr Lim Chuan Poh, Chairman of A*STAR said: “A robust culture of research
integrity and ethics is critical for Singapore to succeed in its ambition to become
Asia’s Innovation Capital. Research is a global undertaking, therefore it is crucial
to inculcate the values of research integrity and develop shared practices among
research communities. A more harmonised approach from the Singapore
research community is vital for realising our goals for RIE2020. The universities
and A*STAR have taken an important step towards achieving a nationwide
commitment in this area.”
Professor Freddy Boey, Provost, Nanyang Technological University, said: “NTU
has always taken research integrity seriously and has a zero tolerance towards
1
nd
The Singapore Statement of Research Integrity was developed as part of the 2 World
Conference on Research Integrity in 2010 in Singapore. URL: http://www.singaporestatement.org
Page 1 of 7
research misconduct. This Joint Statement with the other leading research
institutions in Singapore is based on the Singapore Statement drawn up at the
Second World Conference on Research Integrity in 2010 that was initiated and
hosted by NTU. This new statement re-iterates our commitment to maintaining
the highest standards of integrity in research, especially in terms of research
publications - the life blood and currency of research. It demonstrates our desire
to work together to promote best practices in conducting research and presenting
Singapore at the forefront of professionally responsible research practices.”
Professor Barry Halliwell, Senior Advisor to the President, National University of
Singapore, said: “NUS established a strong code of research integrity in 2006
and we have been in detailed discussions with A*STAR and NTU to compare our
codes and identify best practices. The Joint Statement is the first fruit of these
labours, stating clearly the common key principles that we will all follow relating
to integrity of publications.”
Professor Chong Tow Chong, Provost of SUTD, said: “Integrity is one of SUTD's
core values and the conduct of research with the highest standards of integrity is
fundamental to SUTD. It is important to have a unified set of standards for
research publications as this can help to ensure that researchers in different
organisations are all adhering to the same codes of conduct. This will not only
lead to a higher standard of research integrity and ethics in academia, but also in
real findings that will help better the world for mankind.”
The conference was followed by breakout discussions involving leaders of the
Singapore research community to share institutional best practices and discuss
principles and standards for research integrity.
The four organisations are currently in discussion with other institutes of higher
learning and grant administrating bodies on further adoption and commitment to
a Singapore-wide statement.
Notes to Editor:
The Singapore Statement of Research Integrity was developed as part of the 2nd
World Conference on Research Integrity in 2010 in Singapore. Link to the full
statement and background: http://www.singaporestatement.org
________________________________________________________________
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Enclosed:
ANNEX A – Joint statement by A*STAR, NTU, NUS and SUTD on Research
Integrity Relating to Scholarly Publications
For media queries and clarifications, please contact:
A*STAR
Lisa Chong
Manager, Corporate Communications
Agency for Science, Technology and Research
Tel: +65 6419 6544
Email: [email protected]
NTU
Feisal Abdul Rahman
Senior Assistant Director, Media Relations
Corporate Communications Office
Nanyang Technological University
Tel: (65) 6790 6687
Email: [email protected]
NUS
Fun Yip
Deputy Director & Head, Media Relations
Office of Corporate Relations
National University of Singapore
Tel: +65 6516 1374
Email: [email protected]
SUTD
Melissa Koh
Deputy Manager, Office of Marketing and Communications
Singapore University of Technology and Design
Tel: +65 6499 8742
Email: [email protected]
________________________________________________________________
About the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)
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The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) is Singapore's
lead public sector agency that spearheads economic oriented research to
advance scientific discovery and develop innovative technology. Through open
innovation, we collaborate with our partners in both the public and private sectors
to benefit society.
As a Science and Technology Organisation, A*STAR bridges the gap between
academia and industry. Our research creates economic growth and jobs for
Singapore, and enhances lives by contributing to societal benefits such as
improving outcomes in healthcare, urban living, and sustainability.
We play a key role in nurturing and developing a diversity of talent and leaders in
our Agency and Research Institutes, the wider research community and industry.
A*STAR oversees 18 biomedical sciences and physical sciences and
engineering research entities primarily located in Biopolis and Fusionopolis.
For more information on A*STAR, please visit www.a-star.edu.sg.
About Nanyang Technological University (NTU)
A research-intensive public university, Nanyang Technological University,
Singapore (NTU Singapore) has 33,500 undergraduate and postgraduate
students in the colleges of Engineering, Business, Science, Humanities, Arts, &
Social Sciences, and its Interdisciplinary Graduate School. It has a new medical
school, the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, set up jointly with Imperial
College London.
NTU is also home to world-class autonomous institutes – the National Institute of
Education, S Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Earth Observatory of
Singapore, and Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering –
and various leading research centres such as the Nanyang Environment & Water
Research Institute (NEWRI), Energy Research Institute @ NTU (ERI@N) and the
Institute on Asian Consumer Insight (ACI).
Ranked 13th in the world, NTU has also been ranked the world’s top young
university for the last two years running. The University’s main campus has been
named one of the Top 15 Most Beautiful in the World. NTU also has a campus in
Novena, Singapore’s medical district.
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For more information, visit www.ntu.edu.sg
About National University of Singapore (NUS)
A leading global university centred in Asia, the National University of Singapore
(NUS) is Singapore’s flagship university, which offers a global approach to
education and research, with a focus on Asian perspectives and expertise.
NUS has 17 faculties and schools across three campuses. Its transformative
education includes a broad-based curriculum underscored by multi-disciplinary
courses and cross-faculty enrichment. Over 38,000 students from 100 countries
enrich the community with their diverse social and cultural perspectives.
NUS has three Research Centres of Excellence (RCE) and 29 university-level
research institutes and centres. It is also a partner in Singapore’s fifth RCE. The
University has established many research partnerships and joint laboratories
with academic institutions, industry leaders and government agencies. Research
activities are strategic and robust, and NUS is well-known for its research
strengths in engineering, life sciences and biomedicine, social sciences and
natural sciences. It also strives to create a supportive and innovative
environment to promote creative enterprise within its community.
For more information on NUS, please visit www.nus.edu.sg.
About Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD)
SUTD is Singapore’s fourth public university, and one of the first universities in
the world to incorporate the art and science of design and technology into a
multi-disciplinary curriculum. Established in collaboration with the Massachusetts
Institute of Technology (MIT), SUTD seeks to nurture technically-grounded
leaders and innovators in engineering product development, engineering
systems and design, information systems technology and design, and
architecture and sustainable design, to serve societal needs.
Also in collaboration with Zhejiang University (ZJU) and Singapore Management
University (SMU), SUTD, a research-intensive university, is distinguished by its
unique East and West academic programme which incorporates elements of
technology, entrepreneurship, management and design thinking. Graduate
opportunities include an MIT-SUTD Dual Masters' Degree Programme and an
SUTD PhD Programme. www.sutd.edu.sg.
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ANNEX A
JOINT STATEMENT BY A*STAR, NTU, NUS AND SUTD
ON RESEARCH INTEGRITY RELATING TO SCHOLARLY PUBLICATIONS
We and the research community within our respective organisations are
committed to the highest ethical standards in furtherance of our mission of
teaching, research and public service. We recognise that we hold our institutions
in trust for the people of Singapore. Our respective policies, procedures, codes of
conduct and standards provide guidance for application of the ethical values
stated below in our daily life and work as members of the research community,
and each of our institutions is committed to abide by the Singapore Statement of
Research Integrity 2. In addition to our respective institutions’ existing policies,
procedures, codes of conduct and standards, all members of our research
community 3 are expected to strictly adhere to the following research publication
principles:
Key Principles
1.
Leadership: Senior research personnel must lead by example in
upholding the highest standards and provide active oversight and
management of the research work that goes into publication.
2.
Honesty: Research personnel must ensure consistency in data that are
represented in the publication and prevent inappropriate or fraudulent data
manipulation.
3.
Reproducibility: Research personnel must maintain accurate and
detailed research records of procedures and results (for a minimum of 10
2
The Singapore Statement on Research Integrity can be found here:
http://www.singaporestatement.org/
3
Research personnel include staff, faculty, consultants, technicians, students and any personnel
who are engaged in research.
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years 4), to allow others to replicate the work, and ensure reproducibility of
one’s experimental results.
4.
Citation: Research personnel must provide appropriate citation for all
usage of text, data or figures from other publications, sources or
individuals, including from one’s previous publications. Plagiarism,
including self-plagiarism, is unacceptable.
5.
Acknowledgement: Research personnel must appropriately recognize
individuals who have contributed to their publications. Individuals and
organisations who have contributed to the publication must be
acknowledged, and those who have provided substantial intellectual
contribution, and/or who have participated in the drafting of the publication,
should be recognized as authors.
6.
Reporting: Research personnel must be proactive in reporting suspicious
practices that do not meet these key principles to their respective
institutions.
We are committed to adopting the highest standards of research and publication
ethics and standards at all times. Any breach of these principles will be dealt with
by the respective institutions’ disciplinary procedures.
4
Respective institutions may require records to be kept for a period longer than 10 years to fulfil
other requirements at their discretion.
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