Code of Research Conduct

The mission of the College is to promote integrity and excellence in the practice of Research. In doing so, the College has a responsibility to ensure that all Research carried out under its umbrella is conducted to the highest standard in accordance with the law and public interest. 

The College follows the European Code of Conduct for Research Integrity

All research activities are based on fundamental principles of Research integrity: 

Reliability

in ensuring the quality of Research, reflected in the design, the methodology, the analysis and the use of resources.

Honesty

in developing, undertaking, reviewing, reporting and communicating Research in a transparent, fair, full and unbiased way.

Respect

for colleagues, Research participants, society, ecosystems, cultural heritage and the environment.

Accountability

for the Research from idea to publication, for its management and organization, for training, supervision and mentoring, and for its wider impacts.

All Researchers should:
  • Maintain high standards of integrity and honesty in all aspects of their Research.
  • Ensure that their Research is based on best practices and complies with ethical, legal and professional standards.
  • Use fair and transparent processes.
  • Ensure that information in their publications is correct and accurate.
  • Safeguard any data collected and use it appropriately for their Research.
  • Safeguard children and vulnerable adults when doing their Research.
  • Treat confidential information with respect and integrity.
  • Share their Research findings with the Academic community and the general public.
  • Respect Intellectual Property Rights and ownership.
  • Follow clear policies on Authorship which includes a clear indication of those who contributed to the work and in what capacity.
  • Obtain the approval of the Cyprus National Bioethics Committee, which might be necessary for some Research projects. Researchers should consult directly with the Cyprus National Bioethics Committee. Contact details and more information on the approval process can be found on http://www.bioethics.gov.cy . 

 

Researchers must follow the guidelines and regulations of the Cyprus Department of Registrar, the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) and the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO).

Ethics for Researchers

The College follows The European Charter of Fundamental Rights. Taking that into account, ethical aspects of Research practices have a particular significance in the European legal framework, as the European Union is founded on a common ground of shared values laid out in the European Charter of Fundamental Rights. 

The Charter recognises a range of personal, civil, political, economic and social rights. The Cologne European Council of June 1999 entrusted the task of drafting a charter to a convention. The Lisbon Treaty incorporates the Charter into the Treaty on the European Union, giving the charter an equally legal effect, and states that all European legislation needs to conform to the principles of the Charter. Consequently, this also applies to the European Research policy. The European Charter of Fundamental Rights contains several principles which can be relevant in the context of Research. These principles form the basis of important ethics guidelines, but also support the conduct of Research. 

Article 3: Right to the integrity of the person

Everyone has the right to demand respect for their physical and mental integrity.
In the fields of Medicine and Biology, the following must be respected in particular:

  • The free and informed consent of the person concerned, according to the procedures laid down by law.
  • The prohibition of eugenic practices, in particular those aiming at the selection of persons.
  • The prohibition on making the human body and its parts as such, a source of financial gain.
  • The prohibition of the reproductive cloning of human beings. 
Article 8: Protection of Personal Data

Everyone has the right to the protection of their personal data. Such data must be processed fairly for specified purposes and on the basis of the consent of the person concerned or some other legitimate basis laid down by law. Everyone has the right of access to data which has been collected concerning themselves, and the right to have it rectified.
Compliance with these rules shall be subject to control by an independent authority.