Research Integrity at PML: Annual Statement 2023
This statement details the actions taken at PML to maintain research integrity during 2023. You can read more about PML’s Research Integrity here.
Policies and guidelines relating to research integrity used at PML
The following external policies were published or revised in 2023 and have been considered in relation to internal policies and processes at PML.
- UKRI Open Access Policy – UK Research and Innovation open access policy – UKRI
- UKRI Funding Assurance Programme – Funding assurance programme – UKRI
There were no internal PML policies that relate to research integrity revised or developed in 2023
Training and Internal Communication
PML staff and management have engaged in the following ‘Research Integrity’ relevant training and communication activities:
- New starter ‘corporate’ inductions completed in 2023 – 21 new colleagues attended in September 2023.
- Mandatory On-line Equity, Diversity and Inclusion training commenced for all staff at the end of 2022 and in 2023, according to iHasco data, the average completion rate for EDI training in 2023 was 82% (166 completers out of an average overall headcount of 202 that includes students and PML Applications).
Formal ‘Research Ethics’ Applications
The following requests for formal ethical approval of research activities were submitted and/or approved in 2023:
- PML Smell of the Sea
- Assessing the perceived impact of plastic pollution on coral reef ecosystem services in the Philippines
General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
- There were no updates to GDPR documentation in 2023
- No breaches of GDPR regulations were identified in 2023.
- A GDPR audit took place in 2023, no breaches were identified.
Quality Assurance
To ensure quality of research in 2023:
- ISO9001:2015 (Quality), ISO45001:2018 (Health & Safety) and ISO14001:2015 (Environment) certification was maintained.
- PML completed the following proficiency testing in 2023:
– Quasimeme Nutrients proficiency testing;
– Quasimeme Ocean Acidification proficiency testing
External Partners
- There were no complaints reported from external partners in 2023
- There were no due diligence activities that were required for external partners in 2023.
Monitoring and Reporting Research Misconduct
- In 2023 there were no formal reports of research misconduct committed by a PML member of staff.
- Following a formal report of research misconduct, the PML policy first requires an informal investigation to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to support a formal investigation.
- In 2023 no formal investigations were undertaken.
- In 2023 there were no formal allegations of potential research misconduct committed by external partners against PML members of staff.
Steve Widdicombe – PML Director of Science