Motoyuki ONO

The Development of Codes, Standards, and Guidelines in Japan: 

The Development of Codes, Standards, and Guidelines in Japan Motoyuki Ono President of Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) World Conference on Research Integrity Lisbon, Portugal, Sep. 18, 2007

Two famous “Hand of God” in Japan: 

Two famous “Hand of God” in Japan The goal by Diego Maradona during the 1986 FIFA World Cup quarter final between Argentina and England

Two famous “Hand of God” in Japan: 

Two famous “Hand of God” in Japan That of renowned amateur archaeologist Fujimura Shinichi; he planted stone tools by his “Hand of God” at the Kamitakamori excavation site (Nov 2000) It was widely reported in the media as Japan‘s Worst Archaeology Scandal; his fabrication upset the 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Japan’s earliest inhabitants 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　and lost the public trust 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　for Archaeology

Introduction: Research Misconduct in Japan: 

Domestic/overseas research misconduct (mainly FFP) frequently occurring and widely reported in Japan Japan’s research environment getting highly competitive over the past decade, increasing incidences of research misconduct Public/academic need for actions to ensure research integrity and deal with research misconduct Introduction: Research Misconduct in Japan

Expanding Grant-in-aid for scientific research (KAKENHI): 

Expanding Grant-in-aid for scientific research (KAKENHI)

Slide6: 

Research Funding System in Japan Council for S&T Policy (CSTP): Basic principles and overall coordination Universities, Research institutions, Local Govs, Private Sector MEXT (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science & Technology) Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare JSPS Ministries Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries JST Institutions Funding Agencies (FAs) Researchers (KAKENHI etc.) MEXT related FAs (Independent Administrative Institution) FAs related to other Ministries

Recent Actions against Research Misconduct in Japan: 

Recent Actions against Research Misconduct in Japan Council for S&T Policy (CSTP) Statement for actions against research misconduct (Feb 2006) requires each level of research (funding) to take action against misconduct Ministries, FAs (e.g., JSPS): rules/guidelines to deal with misconduct in grants/funds usage Universities and Institutions: rules/guidelines against research misconduct Researchers: autonomous code of conduct

Actions by Ministries and FAs: 

Actions by Ministries and FAs MEXT: Regarding the Guidelines for Responses to Research Misconduct (Aug 2006) applied to competitive funds of MEXT and related FAs Structure of the report Part 1: Basic Principles Concerning Research Misconduct Part 2: Guidelines for Responses to Research Misconduct Pertaining to Research Supported by Competitive Funding 1. Purpose of the Guidelines 2. Definition of Research Misconduct 3. Receiving Allegations and Other Information 4. Investigation of Allegations and Other Information 5. Measures Applicable to Informants and Subjects of Allegations 6. Actions by Funding Institutions against Persons Culpable of Misconduct

Actions by Ministries and FAs: 

Actions by Ministries and FAs MEXT: Regarding the Guidelines for Responses to Research Misconduct (Aug 2006) applied to competitive funds of MEXT and related FAs Structure of the report Part 1: Basic Principles Concerning Research Misconduct Part 2: Guidelines for Responses to Research Misconduct Pertaining to Research Supported by Competitive Funding 1. Purpose of the Guidelines 2. Definition of Research Misconduct 3. Receiving Allegations and Other Information 4. Investigation of Allegations and Other Information 5. Measures Applicable to Informants and Subjects of Allegations 6. Actions by Funding Institutions against Persons Culpable of Misconduct Based on the guidelines, MEXT-related FAs have made their own rules/guidelines regarding research misconduct

Actions by Universities and Institutions: 

Actions by Universities and Institutions Each institution has made/started to make - Ethical rules for research integrity - Guidelines against research misconduct Examples: The Institute of Physical and Chemical Research (RIKEN) - Statement on Scientific Misconduct and its Prevention (2004) - Basic Policies Regarding Research Misconduct (2004) Waseda University - Guidelines for promoting research ethics (2007) - Rules for prevention of research misconduct (2007)

Actions by Researchers/Research Communities: 

Actions by Researchers/Research Communities Autonomous codes of conducts: Science Council of Japan (SCJ): Statement: Scientists’ Code of Conduct (October 2006)* Academic societies (but not all): Individual ethical rules/guideline against misconduct * http://www.scj.go.jp/ja/info/kohyo/pdf/kohyo-20-s3e-1.pdf (in English)

JSPS actions for dealing with research misconduct: 

JSPS actions for dealing with research misconduct Guidelines for dealing with research misconduct (Dec 2006) related to grants and programs supported by JSPS Office for receiving allegations Details of guidelines: Applied to all researchers and institutions related to JSPS’s grants and programs Scope of misconduct: mainly FFP

Allegations: 

Allegations Normally accepted by the institutions to which the subject is affiliated JSPS accepts only allegations in which 1. Researcher(s) / research group information (name, affiliation, etc.) is provided along with details of the misconduct 2. Scientific evidences is given of the research misconduct As a rule, informants should be named (may be anonymous in certain situations) Details of the JSPS guidelines

Investigation of allegations: 

Investigation of allegations Normally investigated by an investigative committee appointed by the subject institution Allegations accepted by JSPS are referred to subject institution In the investigative process, the institution cooperates with other related organization Institution reports results of its investigation to JSPS Details of the JSPS guidelines

Decision on actions resulting from investigations: 

Based on the report from the institution, a committee for deliberating actions within JSPS decides the disciplinary actions to be taken Persons subject to actions: Type 1. Authors (including co-authors) of publications related to the research involved Type 2. Persons involved in the ascertained research misconduct, but not the authors Type 3. Authors largely responsible for the publications involved, but who did not commit misconduct Decision on actions resulting from investigations Details of the JSPS guidelines

Actions to ascertained misconduct: 

Actions to ascertained misconduct Termination of related funds; return of all funds or unused portions to JSPS Rejection of applications whose PI was involved in misconduct Exclusion from future applications for 2-10 yrs (Types 1 and 2) / 1-3 yrs (Type 3) Details of the JSPS guidelines

Slide17: 

JSPS Institution(s) to which the subject of allegation is affiliated Investigative Committee Dealing with the research misconduct related with JSPS grants and programs Allegations Committee for deliberating actions MEXT Academic societies, Other institutions Cooperation Cooperation Other funding agencies 1’. Refer to the allegations to the institutions and ask to investigate 2. Examines the report in the committee for deliberation of actions, and discusses the actions to the involved persons 1. Investigates the allegation and reports the result to JSPS (Decides the actions to the alleged researcher(s) according to the rules of the institution) Require investigation Report the result Decide the actions

Future work against research misconduct in Japan: 

Future work against research misconduct in Japan Systems for investigating and determining misconduct (Are current rules/guidelines best?) International actions and collaborations Need for regular international discussions and common actions How to eliminate misconduct and ensure research integrity? - Ethics of researchers - Ethics of research communities